UCL Knockout Predictions

My favorite time of the year rolls around again where the Round of 16 begins for the best teams in European football competition, this is where your favorite octopus makes his predictions and why:

• Juventus  – Tottenham : This will be a tight affair with very few goals but I think the Bianconeri will knick this because of their experience and they are coming back to form in the past few weeks, won’t put it past Spurs to cause an upset. Pick – Juv

 

• FC Basel – Man City: Straightforward victory for Man City, anything else will be a major upset. Pick Man City

 

• Porto FC – Liverpool : I Expect goals in this tie and Liverpool to beat Porto comfortably due to the speed of the attack, niggling injuries porto face and Porto’s threat with set pieces. Pick – Liv

 

• Real Madrid – PSG: The tie of the round for me and could go either way, PSG losing Mbappe might be their undoing but I am going for PSG in this one because they have a point to prove after crashing out in spectacular fashion last year. Pick – PSG

 

• Bayern – Beskitas : Bayern to go through and in usual fashion score a lot of goals @ the Allianz arena to make the 2nd leg a formality, if they don’t get it done in the 1st leg then this could become very tricky. Pick – Bayern

 

• Chelsea – Barcelona: Their regular rivalry from a couple of years ago resumes, Barca have been formidable and still remain unbeaten in the league. I expect a battling performance from Chelsea @ the bridge but Barca will just be too much for them over 2 legs. Pick – Barca

 

• Sevilla – Man Utd: This tie will be another close tie considering Man Utd typically struggles against Spanish teams and the recent defensive lapses, over 2 legs the attacking quality should help United edge this. Pick – Man Utd

 

• S. Donetsk – Roma: The long break over winter which the Eastern European sides always enjoy have usually left them match rusty before the 2nd round games and I think this will continue as Roma have too much quality for Shaktar over 2 legs. Pick – Roma

 

Ayo Laiye