On Tuesday and Wednesday night this week, most of the biggest clubs in world football will clash in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, and there are some huge matchups on tap like Manchester City vs. Real Madrid and PSG vs. Chelsea – both matches with history to them. Here are predictions for the scores of each first leg battle.
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool
Galatasaray had their way with Juventus, and they do pose a threat to Liverpool because of the skill and explosiveness of their attacking players, especially in transition.
Plus, playing in Istanbul is never easy. Liverpool are in a tough moment, and they are going to be in for a surprise on Tuesday night, drawing 2-2 as more questions are asked about Arne Slot and his tactical setup in midfield. Prediction: Galatasaray 2-2 Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Things have become so dire for Tottenham Hotspur that there are many fans who want their key players rested for the Champions League in prepartion for the Premier League relegation fight.
Atletico Madrid are a flawed squad, but they can dominate literally anyone in European football; they proved it by beating Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey. Los Rojiblancos will feast on Spurs and mutiliate their anemic attack. Prediction: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Tottenham
Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich
Atalanta managed to become the only Italian side to make it to the Champions League Round of 16, taking full advantage of Borussia Dortmund’s incompetence with a masterful comeback.
But Bayern Munich are the favorites to win the Champions League, and their vaunted attacking trio is going to run roughshod over a La Dea defense that has serious question marks. Prediction: Atalanta 1-3 Bayern Munich
Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Although Barcelona have one of the best squads in European football and superstar Lamine Yamal is playing his best football right now, they are in for their worst possible underdog matchup in Newcastle, who tore a pretty impressive Qarabag side to bits.
Newcastle are better in the Champions League, much better in front of their awesome fans at St. James’s Park, and masters at killing the high line with the speed of their transition attacks led by the suddenly free scoring Anthony Gordon in the Champions League. This is going to be an upset with plenty of fireworks.. Prediction: Newcastle 4-3 Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Arsenal
Bayer Leverkusen are nowhere near the level they were at two years ago under Xabi Alonso when they went undefeated. This squad has major holes at all levels of the pitch, and their best players are too young to really be a threat to the best team in the Premier League.
Even on the road, Arsenal are going to shut these guys down without breaking a sweat. Out of all the matchups for the big clubs in the Round of 16, Arsenal might have the most favorable one for their strengths in the defense and midfield. Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Arsenal
PSG vs. Chelsea
Chelsea proved they can go toe to toe with anyone in European football when they dominated the Club World Cup, including reigning Champions League winners PSG in the Final.
PSG have been weaker than expected this season, and while the same can be said about Chelsea, they do tend to play better in European competition. This tie is going to be neck and neck, too close to call, and probably the most dramatic of the Round of 16 draws. Prediction: PSG 1-1 Chelsea
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Maybe you will say you are sick of seeing Real Madrid and Manchester City battle year after year, but when you look back on this in 10 years, you will do saw with the nostalgia of the previous European Clasicos between Real and Bayern Munich.
Man City are more dangerous after adding Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo from mid-table Premier League sides this winter, whereas Real Madrid are worse, having lost Endrick, and spiraling. The homefield advantage is more than negated by the injuries to their actual best players, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Real Madrid are about to get embarrassed again by Pep Guardiola. Prediction: Real Madrid 1-4 Manchester City
Bodo Glimt vs. Sporting CP
Sporting CP are always a sneaky team in the Champions League, but Bodo Glimt are this year’s real fairytale side and legitimately playing better football than many of the big boys right now – not just the Inter Milan side they unforgettably knocked out.
Their homefield advantage is the best in Europe right now, and they are going to use their beautiful football and team chemistry to run through Sporting, too. Prediction: Bodo Glimt 3-2 Sporting CP
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.