TUESDAY:
AJAX V BENFICA
These tie may not be the most talked about game of the round, but they did both play an open game in the first leg last month. They both have goals in them and are good teams to watch on their day.
Ajax will still be favourites in this tie as they have a bit more in quality and are the home team for this second leg. With the tie level at 2-2 from the first leg, having home advantage will give them a massive boost as they'll have crowd behind them and will be on a more familiar territory.
Benfica would've been happy with the draw from the first leg as it will give them something to build on going into this second leg. This game will be tougher than the first as Ajax have home advantage but it will still give them an opportunity to build on from the draw in the first leg.
PREDICTION: 3-2
I'm going for Ajax to make it through to the next round because they're the home team and will have enough quality to win this game. Benfica will give it a go but I think Ajax's quality will see them through.
MAN UNITED V ATLETICO MADRID
Man United will have been happy with their draw at the Wanda Metropolitano from the first leg as it will give them something to build on in this second leg. They were second best for most of the first leg but they still would've been happy with the draw to take into this game.
They had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for in their win over Spurs at the weekend with his hat trick wining them the game. He'll be fancying himself to bag another treble in this one as he has a good goal scoring record against Atletico from his time at Real Madrid. He even scored a hat trick against them at this stage when he was at Juventus in 2019.
Atletico Madrid will be disappointed that they didn't see the game out in the first leg as they had a lot of good chances that they didn't take. They were the more dominant side on the night and their lack of cutting edge in the final third could cost them in this tie overall.
They'll be the in form team going into this second leg as they've won their last three games since the first leg which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game. They've risen up to 3rd in La Liga as a result of those consecutive wins and that kind of form will make them favourites in this tie.
PREDICTION: 1-2
I'm backing Atletico Madrid to win this second leg because I can see United put in another abject performance. Atletico have been inconsistent this season like United have, but I still think they'll edge this one as they're arguably a better all round team.
WEDNESDAY:
JUVENTUS V VILLARREAL
Juventus started brightly in the first leg but later took their foot off the gas with Villarreal going on to have the better chances and dominating most of the game. They're still in the tie with the score currently level at 1-1 but Juve will still feel disappointed with their overall performance.
They'll still be favourites for this tie as they have the stronger squad on paper and are the home team for this tie. Having home advantage will give them a massive boost in this one as they haven't lost at home for a number of games which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game.
Villarreal would've been 100% happy with their draw in the first leg as it was the minimum that their performance deserved. They were the better side for most of the contest with the chances they had and their performance will give them confidence going into this second leg.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm backing Juve to go through here as I think they'll enough quality to make it through to the next round. Villarreal will try and make it difficult for them but I still think Juve's quality to shine through in this game.
LILLE V CHELSEA
Lille gave a good account of themselves in the first leg despite losing the game as they were occasionally a threat and put in an ok performance. They kept themselves in the game throughout the contest and their performance has given them something to build on as their form in Ligue 1 has improved in recent weeks.
If Lille can score first in this game it would make the tie look very interesting. They're 2-0 down from the first leg and a goal from them to half the deficit would put them right back in the tie. With home advantage on their side, they'll see this second leg as an opportunity to get themselves right back into the tie.
Despite everything that's happening off the pitch, Chelsea are more or less getting on with their job on it. The players have acted like professionals and they've got results by doing exactly that. Both the players and manager deserve credit for the way they've conducted themselves during this difficult period for the club.
The Blues have a two goal lead going into this second leg and will be looking to add to it so they can see tie off. They will of course want to defend their lead like some teams would do but they'll still want to add to the lead they have so they can put this tie to bed.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Chelsea to see themselves through to the next round as they'll have enough quality to do so. They'll have enough to defend their lead despite one or two absentees and they'll have the firepower going forward to add to the current lead they have.
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