Preview : 2014/15 UEFA Champions League – Round of 16

PSG – CHELSEA FC 45%-55%
A very open tie, the only pairing that Chelsea could fear, considering that they couldn’t face Manchester City FC.
It should be quite balanced, maybe Chelsea has something more on tactical level.

MANCHESTER CITY FC - FC BARCELONA 45%-55%
Another very balanced tie, the only one that Barcelona could fear, considering that they couldn’t play PSG again.
It’s true that Manchester City didn’t impress in the Group Stage, but Barcelona isn’t almost invincible anymore as it was few years ago.

BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN - CLUB ATLETICO DE MADRID 40%-60%
Atlético aren’t the last season ones but they are still favorite: anyway this tie could be more open than people may think.

JUVENTUS FC - BORUSSIA DORTMUND 50%-50%
There are two BVBs, the Bundesliga’s one and the CL’s one: we think that the false one is currently playing in Bundesliga and it can only improve: anyway the Germans are doubtlessly weaker than 2 years ago, so the tie should be very open and very balanced.

REAL MADRID CF - SCHALKE 04 90%-10%
Surely the closest tie of this Round.

SHAKTHAR DONETSK - FC BAYERN MUNCHEN 20%-80%
Probably this is the second closest tie. Shakthar could be a bit dangerous in one leg but on two legs there should be no contest.

ARSENAL FC - AS MONACO 65%-35%
Probably this is the only tie in which the second placed team is favorite.
It isn’t a close tie, but the English club has better chances to advance despite Monaco’s iron defence: it was definetly a great draw for Arsenal, but it could have been worse for ASM as well.

FC BASEL 1893 - FC PORTO 45%-55%
This should be a quite open and balanced tie.
We are still studying this FC Porto, that surely is stronger than last Season’s one; probably they are that kind of team that can defeat a (much) stronger opponent and be defeated by a (much) weaker one.
Anyway we’d not be surprised if Basel went trough: both teams can be happy for this draw.

The First Legs will be played on February 17/18 and February 24/25, while the Second Legs will be played on March 10/11 and March 17/18. Here you are the schedules:

17/02/2015 – 11/03/2015 PSG - Chelsea FC
17/02/2015 – 11/03/2015 Shakhtar Donetsk - FC Bayern Munchen

18/02/2015 – 10/03/2015 FC Schalke O4 - Real Madrid CF
18/02/2015 – 10/03/2015 FC Basel 1893 - FC Porto

24/02/2015 – 18/03/2015 Manchester City FC - FC Barcelona
24/02/2015 – 18/03/2015 Juventus FC - Borussia Dortmund

25/02/2015 – 17/03/2015 Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Club Atlético de Madrid
25/02/2015 – 17/03/2015 Arsenal FC - AS Monaco