UEFA Champions League 2021-22 campaign’s Round of 16 will feature 8 mouth-watering clashes in February and March. Here we will analyze all those 8 fixtures and will predict which sides will qualify for the quarterfinal stage. The first leg of the Round of 16 will take place on 15th, 16th, and 22nd, 23rd February. While the 2nd leg fixtures will be played on 8th, 9th, and 15th, 16th March. Let’s see which clubs do have more probability to cross the round of 16 barriers and qualify for the next round. To see Messi News: Why the Argentine Football Star Struggling in Ligue 1.
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UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions
Total 16 sides will take part in 8 ties and only 8 teams will have tickets for the quarterfinals. We will analyze all 8 fixtures here.
Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain
It’s certainly the biggest and most exciting clash in the RO16. Fans would have liked to watch these two sides taking on each other in the semifinal or final. But unfortunately, the 2 European giants have been drawn against each other so early in the campaign. The first leg will take place at the Parc Des Princes on the 15th of February while Santiago Bernabeu will host the 2nd leg on the 9th of March. The clash will see El Clasico’s all-time top goal scorer Leo Messi coming face to face against Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos might be happy to recall the memory that the Argentine national team skipper has failed to score or assist in his last 5 Clasico appearances.
Both the sides feature a bunch of stars and each of the teams do have good squad depth. It’s also gonna be the Euro quarterfinal re-meeting between Madrid’s Belgian keeper Courtois and PSG’s Italian gloveman Donnarumma. However, as it seems, defense is the Achilles’ heel for both sides. But each of the two sides has fearsome attacks for sure. The in-form Benzema Vinicius duo will pose a serious threat against the PSG defense. While, the French capital-based side certainly has one of the deadliest trios of recent time in Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe. But Madrid will fancy their chances with the more balanced midfield trio which consists of Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric.
Well, we expect a healthy fight between the two sides over 2 legs. But our experts are keeping PSG slightly ahead in the first leg as they will play in their own backyard. They can’t differentiate much between the 2 sides. However, they chose Leo Messi and co. to qualify for the quarterfinals stage.
Prediction: Equal or more than 7 goals over 2 legs (both teams combined); Intense clash between the 2 sides; Eventually PSG to qualify by a narrow margin. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Red Devils for the 2nd time in his career. But his side hasn’t been in a good position at the league table. Even after sacking Ole Gunner Solskjaer, the Red Devils are yet to find their best form. But in the UCL group stage, they ensured the top spot thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal brilliance. His late winners on multiple occasions have helped the Old Trafford-based club to qualify comfortably for the RO16. On the other hand, Atletico Madrid made it to the knockout stage as the group runners-up. And now they will be facing their old foe, Cristiano Ronaldo, once again, but this time wearing a red shirt.
Both the sides match each other on the basis of strength. United keeper De Gea has been in tremendous form this season while Atletico shot-stopper Oblak hasn’t been at his best so far. Ronaldo is the only player to score a hat-trick against the Slovenian. The tie is expected to feature United’s pressing football under Rangnick and Atletico’s defensive tactics under Simeone. It’s certainly gonna a be great tie over the 2 legs. But sorry to say for the Ronaldo fans, our experts think that Man Utd’s defense might make them suffer. And the competition might see its top scorer being knocked out from the RO16 stage.
Prediction: Equal or less than 6 goals over 2 legs (both teams combined); Fuzzy-Wuzzy football from the 2 sides; Eventually Atletico to qualify. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Liverpool vs Inter Milan
It’s definitely another exciting tie considering the popularity and the history of the 2 sides. Liverpool has been incredible under the management of Klopp in the last half a decade while Inter Milan is also in full charm since winning Scudetto after a long gap. However, both sides’ form in the European arena has been inversely proportional. All Reds won the 2019 UCL title and have been in superb form throughout this campaign’s group stage. On the other hand, the Black and Blues somehow managed to qualify for the knockouts but are a very dangerous side for sure.
We expect the EPL contenders to play aggressive football while the Italian champions will most probably go with a defensive attitude. Skriniar, De Vrij, Barrella, and Martinez will be the key for Inter. While Liverpool will highly rely on Salah, Mane, Alexander-Arnold, Allisson, and VVD. And yeah, Jota can be the trump card for Klopp’s side as well.
Prediction: Aggressive football from the All Reds; defensive manner from Inter; In the end, Liverpool to reach the quarters with the margin of 2 goals victory over 2 legs. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Juventus vs Villarreal
Although the Bianconeris haven’t been in top form in the league since the last season, they still are the favorites in this tie. Villarreal is a proven side and the current UEFA Europa League champions will certainly make life difficult for the Zebras. Juventus displayed very good football during the group stage while the Yellow Submarines also qualified from a very tough group.
Juventus do have intense defensive options but Paulo Dybala will be their talisman for sure. However, Allegri will certainly miss Chiesa’s service whose season has been over. On the contrary, Unai Emery is a true mastermind and he surely has a balanced squad in his hands. Thus, it’s gonna be a huge battle between these 2 sides.
Prediction: Equal or less than 5 goals over 2 legs (both teams combined), Juventus to reach the last 8. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Manchester City vs Sporting CP
To be honest, this fixture is probably gonna be a one-sided affair. Man City who recently topped the intense Group-A over the Paris Saint-Germain, are one of the hot favorites to lift the trophy. Last year’s finalists do have a sensational squad. And with the like of Pep at the wheel, you simply expect the Citizens to easily go past their Portuguese counterparts.
Sporting CP had a mixture of experience in the group stage. Despite conceding 9 against Ajax in the 2 head to heads, they put up brilliant performances in the other outings. And they were worthy side to qualify over Dortmund. The team does have a mixture of youth and experience and they are certainly a good site. But our experts can’t think anything outside a Man City glory.
Prediction: Dominating performance from the Citizens; Equal or more than 5 team goals by the Sky Blues over 2 legs; Man City to qualify for the quarters. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Chelsea vs Lille
It will be the fixture between the reigning UCL champions and last season’s French Ligue 1 titleholders. Actually, the 2 sides don’t match each other. Chelsea is once again a favorite for the UCL title. They have been sensational under Tuchel and have a top-class squad. Despite the recent bad run of form in the league, they are still very much strong as a team against a side like Lille.
The French champions are also a team, whom you can’t take likely at all. They will give you a good fight and will take advantage of the opposition’s mistakes. UCL has produced so many upsets throughout its history and many of the reigning champions had to face early exits. However, our analysts still believe that Chelsea should be good enough for their French counterparts.
Prediction: Equal or more than 5 goals over 2 legs (both teams combined); In the end, a comfortable victory for the Blues. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Ajax vs Benfica
Eric Ten Hag has put on a show with this Ajax side. The club from the Netherlands’ capital has managed to get all 18 points from their 6 group stage fixtures. They have been too much hot to handle for their oppositions. The Amsterdam-based side has completely humiliated their opposition. Their Ivorian frontman Haller has been superb throughout the group stage and bagged as many as 10 goals!
Benfica also had an incredible journey so far. Nicolas Otamendi has been leading from the front and the Portuguese club has knocked the Spanish giants Barcelona to secure their place in the last 16. They are a formidable side and have a good rhythm among their players. However, Ajax should still be the favorites and they are the most likely to make it to the last 8.
Prediction: Dominating performance from Ajax, Good fighting spirit from Benfica; Eventually, Ajax to reach the next round. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions.
Bayern Munich vs Salzburg
Perhaps, it’s the most one-sided tie among the 8 RO16 lineups. Even if you are a Salzburg fan, you’d agree that any mid-standard side can hardly push the Bavarians out of track. Bayern Munich has been the side to fear in the last 2 campaigns. Their main man Robert Lewandowski has been in form of his life. And they are completely a ruthless opposition to any side. Even the European giant clubs have often wanted to avoid the Bundesliga titleholders throughout the last couple of seasons.
Prediction: Loads of goals (equal or more than 5) in this tie by the German side; Lewandowski to score at least 2 or more goals over the 2 legs; Comfortable victory for Bayern Munich. UCL 2021-22 Round Of 16 All Matches Predictions
Probable Quarterfinalist Sides:
So, here is our probable contenders for the UCL 2021-22 Quarterfinals:
- Paris Saint-Germain (55%)
- Atletico Madrid (55%)
- Liverpool (75%)
- Juventus (70%)
- Manchester City (90%)
- Chelsea (80%)
- Ajax (75%)
- Bayern Munich (95%).
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