UCL R16: Four Games, Four Qualifiers. Which Teams Will Get Eliminated?

Every day of this week will feature one football game or the other, including action from the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 games.

Eight teams will battle it out this week for a chance to continue on their journey to the ultimate prize in European club football. Well, we have used the term “battle” generally because not all the fixtures are the same in terms of the results from the first leg.

As we anticipate the games to come, let’s take a closer look at the four games to be played this week.

1. PSG vs. Real Madrid

From the moment the draw was made, this fixture has been the most anticipated of the round (the other being the Chelsea vs. Barcelona game). With the first leg ending 3-1 in favor of the Spanish outfit, PSG will be going into this one as the underdog.

With Neymar out due to injury and Kylian Mbappe doubtful, winning this tie is a difficult one for the French side. More difficult is how to ensure that they keep Ronaldo and co at bay and prevent them from scoring one – or more – deadly away goal(s).

2. Liverpool vs. Porto

After scoring 5 goals away from home in the first leg of this tie, it’s safe to say Liverpool has already qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition.

Although it’s not impossible for Porto to score 5 goals in the space of 90 minutes, it’s hard to imagine Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Saido Mane not scoring inside the Anfield Stadium that night.

3. Tottenham vs. Juventus

Of all four games, this is the one game that is the most difficult to call because of the result of the first leg. Proceedings ended 2-2 in Italy meaning Tottenham is going into this one with some sort of advantage after scoring two away goals.

Playing at home with two away goals in the bag is a huge advantage. They have not lost at the Wembley Stadium this season, making this task a more daunting one for Juventus.  But being the Champions League, you can’t completely write off Juventus.

They have won their last six games away from home in all competitions, without conceding a single goal during those games.

4. Manchester City vs. Basel

The Cityzens are yet to lose any game inside the Etihad Stadium this season. Their UCL record at home this season has an impressive 3 wins out of 3, five goals scored and just one conceded.

After that 4-0 win away from home in the first leg of this encounter, it’s hard to imagine how Basel can pull a comeback against the champions-elect of the Premier League. Even harder it is to imagine Manchester City not scoring some more goals when they play against the team from Switzerland on Wednesday.

These are the four games to be played in the UCL this week. Four teams will make it through and the four others will be eliminated. The question is this: Which of these four teams will get kicked out of the competition at this stage? Are you looking forward to any surprise comebacks?

Leave us a comment and share your thoughts with us.