The 2015-16 UEFA Champions League continues this week with the final Round of 16 matches.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below…
MANCHESTER CITY vs. DYNAMO KYIV
James Sharman, Sportsnet : Despite loyal Manchester City fans labouring through an uncomfortable relationship with the Champions League due to the club’s battles with UEFA over Financial Fair Play, this week’s second leg represents an historic moment in the Blues’ rise from the ashes to Euro super-power.
Never before has Manchester City qualified for the quarterfinals of this tournament, something that should not be a problem when they meet a very average Kiev side. However, if fans expected to see City build on its comprehensive 3-1 first leg win, they have been left disappointed and confused. A loss to Liverpool, a win against the pathetic Aston Villa and a draw to Norwich City this weekend has come off the back of what we thought was one of the club’s most mature European performances.
From the outside it appears that this is a group of players who have quit on their Premier League aspirations, not to mention their soon to be departing manager. However, does the Champions League still offer these mercenaries a chance for glory? Will Yaya Toure and company decide to show up for this one? Probably.
Prediction: Manchester City wins 2-0.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. PSV EINDHOVEN
Thomas Michalakos, Sportsnet.ca: Barring an unpredictable setback, Atletico will raise their arms in victory after the final whistle comes at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. Sure PSV won a moral victory with a 0-0 draw in the first leg, keeping the score level after losing Gaston Pereiro with 20 minutes to go in match.
But the probability of winning in Madrid or at the very least scoring a crucial away goal is bleak at best. The Dutch barely generated any offence on their home ground, notching a solitary shot on goal over 90 minutes. It was the fourth clean sheet for Jan Oblak in seven Champions League matches, going along with the 19 earned domestically this season.
Atletico have conceded only eight times at home in 17 fixtures and are currently on an eight match unbeaten run (six wins). The idea of PSV being the team to knock this Diego Simeone team out of Europe is difficult to foresee, despite the Dutch having yet to lose a match in almost five months (18 wins, five draws).
Prediction: Atletico Madrid wins 2-1.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Sportsnet panel’s picks and predictions || Champions League a last escape for Man City || Photo gallery: 10 to watch in Champions League || Photo gallery: Round of 16 matchups || Guardiola’s Bayern legacy incomplete without Champions League || Like Sinatra, Atletico Madrid does it their way || Analytics: Scoring on the up across Europe
BARCELONA vs. ARSENAL
Noah Love, Sportsnet.ca: When the Gunners posted a 2-1 triumph over Premier League leaders Leicester last month, many thought it was a signal that they were on the verge of a title triumph. The Arsenal season has since gone off the rails and into a canyon. The London side’s only win in its last seven matches was an FA Cup return leg vs. Hull, and it was embarrassingly bounced from that competition by Watford on Sunday.
So it feels rather unlikely that Arsenal has any hope of walking into Camp Nou on Wednesday and manufacturing a substantial away win against a Barcelona team that hasn’t faltered in close to five months. Barca looked relatively unbothered, if slightly uninterested, in beating the Gunners 2-0 in the first leg. Two Lionel Messi away goals give the Catalan squad a nearly insurmountable edge here, given their home advantage.
If Arsenal has any hope, it might rest with Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean winger probably can’t play worse than he has in the last few weeks, and he will be eager to impress at his old stomping grounds. But that is slim hope indeed. Look for Barcelona to trounce the competition, and get ready for the “is Arsene Wenger finished?” chorus that will ensue as the Gunners look to go trophy-less this season.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 3-1.
BAYERN MUNICH vs. JUVENTUS
Dan Riccio, Sportsnet 590 The FAN: The first leg was a thriller. Juventus clawed back from 2-0 down on home soil to give themselves a fighting chance for the return match in Germany. There’s no doubting Juventus has returned among the European superpowers in this competition; however the recent form of Bayern Munich on home turf doesn’t bode well for the Italians.
Bayern has won each of its last nine home matches, outscoring their opponents 36-4. Only one of those goals conceded came in this season’s Champions League. Bayern are a force at the Allianz Arena, a force that even the mighty Old Lady will have the most difficult of times beating.
Domestically, Juventus is unbeaten in 19, while winning 18 of those matches. Gianluigi Buffon has not allowed a goal in the Italian top flight for ten consecutive matches. None of those opponents, though, come near the level of Bayern Munich. This may be too tall of an order for the Serie A champions.
Prediction: Bayern Munich wins 2-1.
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