UCL Continues: Which Teams Will Gain the First Leg Advantage?

Atletico Madrid, Borrusia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Atalanta all finished the first leg of their UCL Round of 16 clash with a win. While some of the wins were slender advantages, others, like that of Atalanta, has the Italian side firmly with one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Later this week, the concluding round of the UCL Round of 16 (1^st leg) games will be played. Eight teams will be involved across various football centers in Europe as they try to take a first leg advabtage into the second leg which will be played in March.

1. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

This fixture has been overshadowed by the recent performances of both sides in their league. Both sides have lost two of their last five games going into this UCL clash. With a quarter-final ticket on the line, a first-leg advantage may just be necessary to go farther than this stage.

In the UCL, Real Madrid are traditionally strong. Testament to this strength is that they have only lost four of their last 49 home games. However, the Los Blancos have only won three of their last nine in this competition. Pep Guardiola’s side have a point to prove. If they’re to play the second leg with an advantage, they have to get their first UCL knockout win in Spain this week.

2. Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich

It’s not the best time for Frank Lampard’s side to square off against the Bavarian giants. Currently shipping in goals at an alarming rate, the free-scoring Germans may just run riot in England and take a huge first-leg advantage back home.

The London Blues have only been able to keep two clean sheets in their last 10 games. They have to find a way to stop a Bayern Munich side that has scored 14 goals in their last five games.

Chelsea will also be wary of Bayern’s impressive away record: Bayern Munich are now unbeaten in 12 straight European away games, scoring twice in all but one of those games.

3. Lyon vs. Juventus

Having dominated the Italian Serie A for a while now, Juventus have their sights firmly on winning the UEFA Champions League title. With Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, pushing all the way to the ‘big-eared’ trophy this term is the ultimate goal.

In the way of the Old Lady in the Round of 16 is Lyon, a side that has remained unbeaten in its last seven home games. Having kept a clean sheet in three of those games, the French outfit will try re-writing the terrible history they have against Juventus.

4. Napoli vs. Barcelona

Napoli welcome the Catalan giants having finished the regular season unbeaten. They will look to spring a surprise result, backed by their home fans, when they face Lionel Messi and co. later this week.

Speaking of Messi, he comes into this game after his spectacular showing over the weekend where he scored four goals. Barcelona will also be boosted by the fact that they have defeated Napoli in three of their last four meetings.

Which of these sides will finish this week with a first leg UCL advantage? Click here to predict and win.