TUESDAY:
COPENHAGEN V MAN CITY
Copenhagen surprised a lot of people in the group stages in making it out of a group no one expected them to qualify from. They beat and finished above Man United in the group stages and it is something that will give them confidence heading into this tie.
Man City are arguably once again the favourites to win this competition this season because how strong their squad is. I don't see anyone else have the strength in depth and quality that they have.
Erling Haaland was back among the goals against Everton on Saturday with his second being assisted by Kevin De Bruyne. That was the first time they linked up together this season.
With both players et to play a part in this first leg, I can only see it being a comfortable win for the holders who are far superior in quality to Copenhagen.
PREDICTION: 0-4
RB LEIPZIG V REAL MADRID
RB Leipzig have caused some notable upsets in this competition in the past but that now seems to be a long time ago. They haven't really gone that far since their exploits in 2020 where they went all the way to the semi finals.
Real Madrid will again be among the favourites to win this competition this season, but I don't see them going all the way as they don't have a clinical no.9. Jude Bellingham has been brilliant for them this season with the amount of goals he has scored, but Real are still lacking that out and out no.9.
Bellingham will be out of this one after picking up an injury in Real's win over Girona at the weekend. This will definitely be a big blow for Carlo Ancelotti's side because of the impact that Bellingham has made this season.
But Real should get the job done here as they have a number of players who are more than capable of stepping up. Vinicius Jr will be their most likely source for goals here and I can see him netting at least one.
PREDICTION: 0-2
WEDNESDAY:
LAZIO V BAYERN MUNICH
Lazio are having a tough season in Serie A this season considering the heights they hit last season where they finished 2nd. They haven't scored many goals this season and their man on that front in Ciro Immobile hasn't been as clinical as he used to be.
Bayern Munich find themselves in unfamiliar territory this season as they're only 2nd in the Bundesliga and 5 points behind unbeaten leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
They'll still be one of the favourites to win this competition because of the quality of players they have and also manager Thomas Tuchel won this competition when he was at Chelsea in 2021.
Bayern will be overwhelming favourites for this tie and with the attacking players they have on show, I only see this being a very comfortable win for them. Especially with the form that Lazio have been in this season.
PREDICTION: 0-4
PSG V REAL SOCIEDAD
PSG have been known for bottling it in this competition in the past and despite this tie being a winnable one for them, you wouldn't be surprised if it happened again.
Real Sociedad surprised a lot of people during the group stages in finishing top of their group ahead of Inter Milan and Benfica. That will certainly give them confidence heading into this tie against a PSG side who have bottled it in the past.
But their league for has been inconsistent compared to last season as they're currently 7th in La Liga and 11 points off the top four.
I think they'll make it difficult for PSG as they're a compact side who are tough to play against. But I think PSG will have enough star quality to breach them and go ahead in this tie.
PREDICTION: 2-0
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