We’re almost over the 3-month break that comes between the group stages ending and the knockouts beginning. I’m sure everyone wants to know who Rob thinks will advance to the UCL Quarter Finals, right? I’ll humble myself with my group stage predictions, along with previewing each Round of 16 tie.
Group B Results (My predictions):
Porto (Atletico Madrid)
Club Brugge (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen (Club Brugge)
Atletico Madrid (Porto)
Group A Results (My predictions):
Napoli
Liverpool
Ajax
Rangers
Group D Results (My predictions):
Tottenham Hotspur
Eintracht Frankfurt (Marseille)
Sporting Lisbon
Marseille (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Group C Results (My predictions):
Bayern Munich
Inter Milan (Barcelona)
Barcelona (Inter Milan)
Viktoria Plezn
Group F Results (My predictions):
Real Madrid
RB Leipzig (Shaktar Donetsk)
Shaktar Donetsk (RB Leipzig)
Celtic
Group E Results (My predictions):
Chel$ea
AC Milan
RB Salzburg (Dinamo Zagreb)
Dinamo Zagreb (RB Salzburg)
Group H Results (My predictions):
Benfica (P$G)
P$G (Juventus)
Juventus (Benfica)
Maccabi Haifa
Group G Results (My predictions):
Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund
Sevilla
Copenhagen
Knockout Ties:
P$G vs Bayern Munich
An epic Round of 16 battle featuring a rematch of the 2020 UCL Final. Can Bayern progress through without Lewandowski and Neuer, or does Messi finally get his signature moment in a P$G kit? Luckily for Paris, Neymar’s sister’s birthday is after the second leg.
Prediction: P$G 3, Bayern Munich 2
Tottenham vs AC Milan
Milan have been on a freefall since the World Cup and look atrocious. However, who better to play than a team notorious for choking? This should be an interesting one that’s hard to predict. Spurs losing GK Hugo Lloris right before the first leg is scary. However, if Heung Min Son can find his form, it’s game over for Milan.
Prediction: Tottenham 3, AC Milan 3 - Spurs advance in ET
Club Brugge vs Benfica
This looks like it should be a Europa League match, but both teams were very impressive to make the knockout stages. Shockingly, I don’t know much about the Belgian Pro League but Benfica has been dominant in Portugal.
Prediction: Benfica 4, Club Brugge 1
Dortmund vs Chel$ea
Dortmund are going to obliterate this plastic club.
Prediction: Dortmund 70, Chel$ea -5
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Arguably the best tie of the round, this features another rematch of the 2018 and 2022 UCL finals. Liverpool have been atrocious in the Premier League while Real Madrid have been unimpressive in La Liga. Current form vs experience should play a major role for each team.
Prediction: Liverpool 4, Real Madrid 3
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli
Napoli have been one of the world’s best teams this season while Frankfurt have improved since a poor start. The biggest storyline here - will Napoli’s runaway form in Serie A help or hurt them in the tie?
Prediction: Napoli 5, Frankfurt 3
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City
Leipzig are enjoying a productive period in the Bundesliga while City were hit with transfer breaches earlier this week. On paper, City should be destroying Leipzig, but outside factors could play a role. Who wins - Oil or Energy?
Prediction: Manchester City 3, RB Leipzig 3 - Man City advance on PKs
Inter Milan vs Porto
The Portuguese side looked very impressive in the group stage while Inter embarrassed Barcelona to advance from their group. Inter have the better team on paper, but Portuguese teams have impressed in this competition.
Prediction: Inter Milan 4, Porto 4 - Porto advance in ET
We’ve all waited 3 months for these matches, and the time has finally come. What did I get wrong? Who am I fighting about my Chel$ea prediction? See you on the other side in a month’s time.