Europe Champions League Last 16 - 1st Leg

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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Diaz, Vinicius; Mbappe

Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez

Real Madrid will welcome Atletico Madrid to Santiago Bernabeu in the most interesting clash of the Champions League last-16 ties. Real finished outside Top-8 on the league phase table and needed to eliminate Manchester City in the playoffs just to make it this far. However, Los Blancos showed their class by beating the English champions twice, 3:2 at Etihad and 3:1 at Bernabeu. Just to mention, Real are the most successful side in the competition. Last season Real beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley to secure their 15th crown. But the current form isn't at desired level. Carlo Ancelotti's men suffered a painful 2:1 loss to Betis during the weekend and dropped to the third place. In addition, Ancelotti has some injury and suspension worries ahead of this match. Jude Bellingham is banned for the first leg after picking up his third yellow card against Manchester City. Belingham is also banned in domestic La Liga and didn't play against Betis. In addition, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos and Jesus Vallejo are out injured. On the positive note, Federico Valverde will be available again following discomfort.

Atletico Madrid were solid in the group stage of the Champions League and they secured a direct pass to the knockout phase. The Rojiblancos are also successful in domestic La Liga. Diego Simeone's men are currently second on the table with 56 points, just one less than leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid are on the third position with 54 points. Atletico had a good weekend. On Saturday they managed to beat Athletic Bilbao. It was a narrow, but very important victory, one of those so called "ugly victories". Julian Alvarez was the hero after his second-half strike settled the contest in Atletico favor. The guests, meanwhile, missed several good chances, hit the woodwork on no fewer than three occasions in the second half, but were unlucky to score. Simeone also has some injury concerns, but arguably not as big as his counterpart Ancelotti. The experienced full-back Cesar Azpilicueta is sidelined with a leg injury, while Koke is also unavailable due to a thigh problem. Cholo otherwise has a fully-fit squad available for the first leg.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Pick:

I think Real Madrid will win here. They are the most successful club in the Champions League, this is their favorite competition. They weren't at desired level during the weekend and lost to Betis, but this is different. All the players will give their maximum in this match. It won't be easy, Atletico are also very good and compact side, with excellent coach. So, what could decide the match? The answer is not easy, but I see three factors. First is the home advantage, second is the competition history of success. And finally, Real have players able to make a difference - Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Pick: Real Madrid to win @ 1.90 with Everygame

 

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PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

PSV Eindhoven:
Benitez; Ledezma, Flamingo, Boscagli, Malacia; Veerman, Schouten; Bakayoko, Saibari, Lang; De Jong

Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

PSV Eindhoven will welcome the Premier League giants Arsenal to the Philips Stadion on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. While the Gunners secured a direct route to this stage courtesy of a third-placed league phase finish, their Eredivisie counterparts have eliminated the Italian most successful side Juventus in the knockout round playoffs. PSV were one-goal down after the first match in Italy as they lost 2:1. Peter Bosz's man had a mountain to climb, particularly knowing they have only kept one clean sheet in their 10 Champions League matches so far this season. Nevertheless, they fought with passion to earn an extra-time in which defender Ryan Flamingo scored the critical goal to secure a 4:3 aggregate win. Bosz will try to continue the successful series, but has some injury issues. Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi and teenage winger Esmir Bajraktarevic are definitely out, while left-back Mauro Junior is doubtful. The former Gunners striker Lucas Perez is ineligible for the Champions League and will therefore not reunite with his old team.

Arsenal are in very complicated period. For a long time they were second on the table, but the difference between them and leaders Liverpool wasn't too big. The Reds dropped four points after they drew against Everton and Aston Villa, so Arsenal were five points adrift of Arne Slot's side. But then came two frustrated games - a home defeat from West Ham United and a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest. The current difference is 13 points and many pundits think it is too much. But Arsenal manager think differently. Asked if he would concede the title, Arteta said: "Over my dead body. If not I will go home." Of course, the injury situation is still difficult as five important players remain sidelined: Bukayo Saka, Key Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all out. Youngsters like of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are doing their best, but the inexperience is definitely a problem. Nwaneri is now set to join Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as just the third English player to start a Champions League knockout game before turning 18.

PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Prediction:

PSV play at home and I think they are able to remain unbeaten. The quality is on Arsenal side, but Arteta has a long injury list. The situation is critical in attack as Saka, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli are all out. Bosz also has some injury issues, but key player and captain Luuk de Jong is ready to play. This would be his 50th match in the Champions League and he will become only the fifth Dutch striker to hit that milestone after Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert and Roy Makaay. Scoring a goal in this match is exactly what he need.

PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal Pick: 1X @ 1.87 with Pinnacle.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Luis Diaz

Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Liverpool to Parc des Princes for another heavyweight encounter in the Champions League Round of 8. The French champions annihilated Brest 10:0 on aggregate during a playoff round. It is clear they are dominant against French opposition, both in Ligue 1 and Europe. PSG are also leaders in France with 13-point advantage over second-placed Marseille. But the Qatar owners are no more satisfied with domestic titles and they want Champions League trophy. The World best players, like Messi, Neymar and Mbappe were brought in the past years, but the Champions League trophy is still out of their hands. Coach Luis Enrique has no superstars in the team anymore, but have something else - cohesion. The actual form is good, they are in series of 10 victories across all competitions. The players confidence is high and that's very important. Finally, Enrique has no injury or suspension worries.

Liverpool will travel to Paris for the first time since the 2022 Champions League final. This trip comes too soon for many supporters that still remember the traumatic experience almost three years ago. Most of the fans are disappointed with new UEFA rules. Liverpool finished the group stage on the first position, but the reward wasn't adequate. Usually the group winners had easier opponents, but new UEFA format is strange. However, the Reds are in solid form at the moment. Not as good as PSG (10 wins in a row), but still solid. Liverpool have three wins and two draws on the last five matches. Looking the last 10, we will notice two defeats. Arne Slot's men suffered a shameful elimination from the FA Cup losing 1:0 to Plymouth and also lost 3:2 to PSV Eindhoven. Teenager Amara Nallo was sent off there and he won't travel to Paris due to suspension. To be honest, Nallo would have had minimal chances of starting against PSG on Wednesday anyway. Slot also has injury issues as Tyler Morton, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are sidelined. The absence of last two is a big handicap as Slot's defensive options are limited.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool Prediction:

This is the most interesting match in the Champions League this week. Both teams are dominant in domestic competitions. PSG are inches away from Ligue 1 title, but Qatari owners want Champions League trophy. Liverpool are in different mode, the Premier League title worth equally, if not more. The Reds finished first during the pandemic period and the celebration wasn't complete. So, it will be very interesting match and I think PSG are closer to the victory. The home advantage is between the reasons, but there is more. I believe Luis Enrique has already identify opponents "weak points". .And that's the full-backs. PSG have excellent wingers in Dembele and Kvaratskhelia as both are able to make a difference.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool Pick: Paris Saint-Germain to win @ 2.41 with Pinnacle