Champions League Preview

Arsenal (0) v PSV (1)

Arsenal finished as runners up last year at the Stade de France to Barcelona and in doing so broke the “unwritten” rule that stated they always failed to get past the last 8. All it will take for those nightmares to come flooding back for the north London club will be a PSV away goal. They are capable of it and I see PSV sneaking through.

Bayern Munich (2) v Real Madrid (3)

This is an absolutely huge game for both of the European giants. This is effectively the only peice of silverware left up for grabs for both of them. At 3 - 1 Real were looking strong and clear favourites to make the last 8, but that late Van Bommel goal at the Bernabeu throws up a potential away goals headache for Real. However, I’m going to go with Real to just come out on top in an intense affair. It really is “winner take all”. The losers season is effectively over.

Chelsea (1) v Porto (1)

Mourinho was very clever prior to the first leg claiming Chelsea could lose the leg but it would still be too hard for Porto to progress at Stamford Bridge. Despite that, Porto would have surprised many, Mourinho included I think, to hold Chelsea to a draw. I tend to agree with Jose that Porto will find it a lot harder at the Bridge, not only to win the tie but to score an away goal and I believe Chelsea will make lighter work of this at home.

Liverpool (2) v Barcelona (1)

The result of the round so far was Liverpool’s superb victory at the Nou Camp. The reigning Champions should have Eto’o back in their ranks and will be a different proposition but with those 2 precious away goals and a very noisy Anfield (the 45,000 there will make twice, if not three times, the noise 95,000 did at the Nou Camp), I think Liverpool are now the firm favourites to knock the Champions out.

Lyon (0) v Roma (0)

Houllier’s Lyon have been dominating the French league for a few years now but have started this year in poor form. However, Roma haven’t been at their best either and I think the home advantage of a lively Stade Gerland crowd will sway it for Lyon. I don’t see Roma scoring away from home.

Man Utd (1) v Lille (0)

Lille aren’t the worst travellers left in the competition, I mean you can’t be too bad if you can go to the San Siro and beat Milan, as they did in the group stages. However, this is sudden death and Utd will be very hungry to progress to the last eight, something they haven’t done for a few years. The outsiders of the last sixteen are going to end their run at Old Trafford and I have Utd to progress quite easily.

AC Milan (0) v Celtic (0)

Celtic are lucky that the San Siro probably won’t be as quite an intimidating venue as it could be due to the remaining crowd security restrictions imposed following the recent violence in Italy. However Celtic don’t seem to travel too well in Europe and it will take a huge performance from the Bhoys on the pitch and Strachan off it to instil the self belief in his players that they can actually win the tie. Though I still have Milan a little too strong and experienced.

Valencia (2) V Internazionale (2)

Like Liverpool, Valencia must be favourites having scored two fantastic away goals in the San Siro. They are not too bad at The Mestalla either and this could prove a little too much for the Serie A leaders. I’m going for Valencia to follow Real into the last 8.

Find out how wrong my predictions will be on The Soccer Blog.

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Many thanks
Rik