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jonjoward1998

Champions League Last 16 Predictions: Part 2 of the 1st Leg



TUESDAY:


INTER MILAN V ATLETICO MADRID


Inter surprised a lot of people last season in reaching the final of this competition where they put in a decent performance. They'll look to give this competition another good crack this season.


Simone Inzaghi's side are flying high at the top of Serie A this season where they have both the best attack and defence in the division. They have a striker in-form in Lautaro Martinez who will be looking to carry his domestic form into Europe.


Atletico Madrid haven't really gone far in this competition in recent seasons but they are still a side who can give anyone a game as they have quality players all over the pitch.


They've always been a tough team to play against under Diego Simeone who is amazingly still in charge 10 years after their first appearance in a Champions League final. They've neither regressed or progressed under his management in recent years.


Both teams are tough to beat defensively but they do have players in attack who can win them a game. I'm backing Inter to edge this one as they're at home and will have just enough quality.


PREDICTION: 1-0


PSV V BORUSSIA DORTMUND


PSV are flying high at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie this season and are still unbeaten in the league. They're 10 points clear and have scored 70 goals alongside conceding just 10. They're probably the best stats in Europe.


They never go far in this competition but with how strong they've been at both ends this season, they could cause a surprise here.


Dortmund finished top of a group that not people thought they would qualify from never mind win. Their performances during the group stages will give them a lot of confidence heading into the knockout stages.


Their performances in Europe have been their only positive this season as they haven't done as well in the league and are already out of the cup. They're still in the top four of the Bundesliga but they haven't as good as they were last season when they were challenging for the title.


Both sides will definitely go for it here as they're both attack minded teams. But I think they'll both cancel each other out here.


PREDICTION: 2-2


WEDNESDAY:


PORTO V ARSENAL


Porto were the last team that Arsenal beat in a Champions League knockout round all the way back in 2010 before the Gunners went on a 7 game losing streak in the last 16.


Sergio Conceicao's side never fare well against English sides in this competition and I don't really give them much of a chance in this one.


Arsenal have been in great goal scoring form since the turn of the year and kept it up on Saturday against Burnley where they can won convincingly.


With the form they've been in recently, I can only see another comfortable win for them here. But maybe not as comfortable as their recent wins in the Premier League.


PREDICTION: 0-4


NAPOLI V BARCELONA


Napoli has had a disastrous title defence in Serie A this season with Walter Mazzarri's side currently 9th and 9 points outside the top four.


Victor Oshimen's goals have dried up drastically whilst some of the other players have struggled to perform for most of the season.


Barcelona have also had a poor defence of their title as they currently sit 3rd and 8 points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga.


With the club out of the Copa Del Rey alongside having no chance of winning the La Liga title, this competition is their last chance to end the season with a trophy and departing manager Xavi would love to go out on a high note.


I don't see them winning this competition though as they're not the team they used to be and haven't been for some years. It could be a while till we see Barca back at the top of European football.


I do however think they'll go ahead in this tie and I think they'll have just enough quality to win the game.


PREDICTION: 1-2

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