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As a follow up to the predictions article from yesterday, here are the rest of the matchups from the last 16.
Lyon vs Barcelona
An interesting matchup with both teams amazingly undefeated in this season’s champions league, but Lyon have had just one win and five draws. Barcelona are high-flying in La Liga after a slow start whilst Lyon are third in the French league and are on par with expectations this year.
Key players: With Barca’s firepower making them clear favourites, Nabil Fekir (if at the club) will have to be sensational for the French club to give them a shot at going through with his combination with Dutch international Memphis Depay. Meanwhile, Barcelona have class and Lionel Messi will surely have a say in the tie with playmaker Ivan Rakitić supplying the service.
Prediction: Barca are having a great season and will prove why they are one of the favourites. Barca 4-1.
Liverpool vs Bayern
This is a great game with loads of history between the clubs. Liverpool are having a superb season after last year’s run and Jurgen Klopp would love to knock out Bayern – the team that beat him in the 12/13 champions league final in his Dortmund days. Bayern have faltered a bit this season compared to previous years with a real battle for the Bundesliga.
Key players: Liverpool have the goods again this year and with a much-improved defence, Virgil Van Dijk will be the much-needed rock at the back providing stability so that the attack led by Mohammed Salah will have the freedom to do what they do best which is score goals and create chances.
Bayern have been consistent in recent years and will need top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski to fire again. Joshua Kimmich has been dubbed as one of the best young right backs in recent times and will look to show that reputation on the pitch with his positional play, range of passing and situational awareness creating the attacks from the right.
Prediction: Tough, tough game in many areas. Liverpool have that little bit extra off the bench with the likes of Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri proving the difference in this one. Liverpool 4-2.
Schalke 04 vs Manchester City
The game about Leroy Sane and Matija Nastasić is against their old clubs. Schalke are struggling in the Bundesliga in 13th, whereas Man City have had a great start coming second in their league and in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
(Photo by Nigel French – EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
Key players: Schalke will have to play to their full potential to pull off an upset in this tie and their goalkeeper captain Ralf Färmann will be very important for an upset to occur. Nabil Bentaleb, the Algerian midfielder, will have to continue creating and scoring goals for the German side.
Man City have class, class and more class everywhere on the pitch. Eyes will be on veteran striker Sergio Agüero to score goals supplied by Belgian superstar Kevin De Bruyne.
Prediction: Manchester City will have too much class for a shaky Schalke side and will run away with the result. City 7-1.
Atlético Madrid vs Juventus
This could be the best tie of them all, with Diego Simeone going up against Massimiliano Allegri. The coaches have both had success with their clubs and have built great cultures. Atlético have started well in La Liga in the second spot but Juventus have flown out in Serie A, winning 17 out of 19.
Key players: The super signing Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be given any time or space in their competition because he will punish you. Ronaldo and Giorgio Chiellini have experience at this time of year and will be instrumental for how Juventus go.
Atlético have many hard working players but the attacking duo of Diego Costa and Antoine Greizmann would be one of the best in world football. They are a clinical partnership that is lethal on the quick counter.
Prediction: a very tight and conservative tie. However, Juventus will continue their winning ways 1-0.
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