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Way too early Champions League last 16 predictions: Part one
Tom Aalders
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29th December, 2018
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Tom Aalders
Roar Rookie
29th December, 2018
2

With the January transfer window fast approaching, clubs eye a couple of potential squad changes to bolster their chances of silverware by the season’s end.

With the rumours already starting, now is the time to attempt to predict the Champions League round of 16 clashes despite all of the uncertainties.

Roma vs Porto
This is one of the tough games to predict. Both teams in recent years have gone further than most expected with Roma making the semis last season and Porto looking to make the next step after a fantastic group stage. Porto went undefeated with 16 points, scoring 15 goals in that time.

Key players: For Roma Edin Džeko and Aleksandar Kolarov are certainly important for going through with experience in the big games giving Roma the advantage. Porto will look to veteran keeper Iker Casillas and their top goal scorer Mousa Marega.

Prediction: It will go down to the last 30 minutes in the second leg but Roma have just got enough quality to get past a determined Porto team. 3-1 Roma.

Manchester United vs PSG
A lot can change between now and kick off for this one with transfer speculation around both teams. PSG got going after a slow start in the group whilst United had mixed results in the group under Mourinho. With a world-class attack featuring Neymar, Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria, United will have to be at the top of their games to limit the goals from their shaky defence (they still have January, so things could change).

PSG are flying in Ligue 1 whilst United are a few games back of the top four in the Premier League, adding to the importance of this game in United’s season.

Key players: With much of the focus on Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe, Di Maria is the key player in this match for PSG going up against his former club whilst sneaking under the radar. Supporting Di Maria is Thomas Meunier, who was crucial to Belgium at the World Cup and has continued that form this year with a few goals as well.

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United will have to rely on their big money players with David De Gea needing to stop the goals and Paul Pogba at his best will be able to create for others as well as for himself.

Paul Pogba celebrates

(Nick Potts/ PA via AP)

Prediction: There will be chances created for both sides and it’s about who takes them when they fall. PSG have a great attack and this will get them through with Di Maria scoring. 3-1 PSG

Spurs vs Dortmund
Two teams with many exciting players and both have exceeded expectations domestically so far. Spurs close with Liverpool and City despite many injuries and no new signings with Dortmund top of the Bundesliga losing just once. This looks to be a great tie with so many x-factor players such as Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane, Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho and Paco Alcácer.

Key Players: With so much attacking on the pitch, both strikers are scoring goals and will need too in Spurs’ Harry Kane and Dortmund’s’ Paco Alcácer. Both strikers are clinical and will be serviced through the main playmakers with Erikson and Reus. Reus has been back to his best this year and will be critical to the match if he can play or is shut down.

Prediction: A really hard game to pick and am certainly looking forward to it. Dortmund with its youth will be reminiscent of the Monaco side of a couple of years ago and will outscore Spurs in a high-scoring affair. Dortmund 5-3.

Ajax vs Real Madrid
Who would have thought a year ago that Real would be without Zidane, Ronaldo and already lost five games in La Liga before January as well as losing to CSKA Moscow twice? But Santiago Solari has brought some stability as the new manager playing players on their form instead of reputation or past performances which has been a shakeup of the reigning back to back to back Champions League holders.

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Ajax have been the team to watch and have gone unbeaten in the Champions League and only one loss domestically so far, while playing some great football against quality teams such as Bayern. It seems like a David vs Goliath clash, but it is also a clash for the experienced vs the up-and-comers.

Key players: Real have quality all over the park which is why they have been dominant in recent history. Luka Modrić will be key to the creativity and attacking threat Real Madrid have as he has great vision and can control the tempo of a match and according to FIFA is the best player in the world with his recent recognitions as Best player at the World Cup and Player of the year.

Luka Modric

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Bale will also be keen to show the world what he can do on his own no longer in Ronaldo’s shadow at the club. Ajax have so much promise with Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong being recognized by many as the potential future of the game whilst the experienced Daley Blind will help guide the youth on the pitch and could be the difference.

Prediction: It is a great matchup and could be some late drama. Ajax have the motivation, talent and a great mentality to go into this matchup, whilst you can never underestimate Real Madrid in the Champions league. However, with all of this considered Ajax will make the shock of the decade and beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time.

That’s part one done and part two coming out soon. Let me know your thoughts/predictions in the comments!

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