The group stage is finally over and 16 teams remain with the possibility of being crowned the Champions of Europe. Half of those 16 teams will be playing games this week with two games happening today and two tomorrow.
This week's action includes 1st leg games between Juventus and Celtic, Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk, and the "Game of the Week" between Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Today's Games:
Juventus @ Celtic
Juventus come into this game having finished first in the Group E table while Celtic finished second in Group G. Juventus are currently sitting atop the Italian Serie A table and all signs are pointing to them winning this year's title rather easily. Celtic is also atop of their league title and currently have an 18 point lead in the Scottish Premier League.
Juventus are the major betting favorites in this game. They are the better team that plays in a much better league. Celtic hasn't really had any competition in Scotland this year due to Rangers being relegated due to financial reasons. Juventus should be able to win both games against Celtic rather easily behind their goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
My prediction: Juventus win 2-0
Paris Saint-Germain @ Valencia
This game should be the closer game of the day. PSG finished first in Group A and currently sit atop French Ligue 1. Valencia finished second in a very weak Group are F and are currently struggling in fifth place this season in Spain's La Liga.
Valencia are a slight favorite over PSG because they are the home team, but I'm expecting the now French giants to be able to win this game on the road. Valencia won't make it easy for them, but PSG just has way too much firepower up front especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the way.
My prediction: PSG win 2-1
Tomorrow's Games:
Manchester United @ Real Madrid "Game of the Week"
Cristiano Ronaldo is making his first appearance against his former club. Most would argue that Ronaldo is the second best player in the world right now only behind Barcelona's Lionel Messi and all of the talk is on how Ronaldo will play against his former team.
Manchester United are coming into this game after finishing first in Group H and are currently leading the English Premier league by eight points. Real Madrid aren't having as great a season as they have had as of late and are struggling to keep most of their players healthy. Real Madrid finished second in Group D and are currently third in Spain's La Liga.
Without any hopes of winning La Liga, Real Madrid have put almost all of their focus on possibly winning their 10th Champions League title (was once called European Cup as well). Manchester United have been on a roll this season and are making it known that they are once again the best team in England.
This game is going to come down to what one player does. If Ronaldo plays well then Real Madrid will walk out the winner. If he ends up struggling this game could end poorly for Madrid and Los Blancos could be on their way out of the Champions League. I'm expecting Ronaldo to rise to the occasion today and wouldn't be surprised if he added multiple goals for his side.
My prediction: Real Madrid win 3-1
Borussia Dortmund @ Shakhtar Donetsk
This game is really taking a backseat to the other game of the day. Dortmund managed to finish ahead of Real Madrid in the Group D table and are currently second in the German Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich. Shakhtar Donetsk tied Chelsea in Group E for second place, but managed to score more away goals when the two played each other which gave them the edge in the table. Shakhtar Donetsk currently sit atop their Ukrainian Premier League table and are currently dominating the rest of their league.
Shakhtar Donetsk are very small favorites over Dortmund, but I'm expecting these teams to finish even tomorrow. Expect the striking pair of Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus to help add a goal or two for the away side and make sure that the home team doesn't walk out with a win.
My prediction: Draw 2-2
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