Champions League Second Round Preview
The 21-22 February will see the 16 remaining teams in the
Champions League battle it out for a place in the coveted final
held on 17 May in Paris. The second round fixtures have been
decided so here is a run down of who is left in the competition
and their chances of progressing to the quarter finals:
Inter Milan vs Ajax Inter qualified comfortably from Group H as
winners and have a favourable match against Ajax. The Dutch side
qualified as runners up of Group A without too much trouble.
Inter are overwhelming favourites to qualify for the quarter
finals and striker Adriano, with four goals so far in this
competition, poses the main threat. Manchester City. Verdict:
Inter to qualify at 2/5.
AC Milan vs Bayern Munich Milan stuttered through the first
round, with just three wins in six matches, before eventually
topping the group ahead of PSV Eindoven. Andriy Shevchenko is
the tournament's most dangerous striker with six goals. However,
Bayern Munich should not be underestimated. They dumped out
Arsenal at this stage last season and were only edged out by a
single goal against Chelsea in the quarter finals. Verdict: AC
Milan to qualify at 4/6.
Liverpool vs Benfica The Reds take on the team who dumped
Manchester United out of the Cup and are firm favourites to
progress to the quarter finals. Liverpool were unbeaten and
hadn't conceded a goal in 11 league and Cup games until Sao
Paulo denied them the World Club Championship on 18 December.
Benfica's 2-1 win over Manchester United was a shock result, but
one they are unlikely to reproduce. Ronald Koeman's side are
only sixth in their domestic league and are likely to see their
interest in the Champions League come to an end at this stage of
the competition. Verdict: Liverpool to qualify at 4/9.
Barcelona vs Chelsea This was the most "anticipated" draw in
terms of a replay of last season's second phase encounter.
Barcelona have won 13 games straight in La Liga, while Chelsea
have topped the Premiership since August, losing just one match,
against Manchester United, all season. Barcelona have also been
unstoppable in Europe, winning five out of the six group.
Despite the unquestionable talent at his disposal, Jose Mourinho
may find his Chelsea team outgunned this time around. Verdict:
Barcelona to qualify at 5/6.
Lyon vs PSV Eindoven Lyon are a team not to be underestimated
in this season's Champions League and won their group ahead of
the glamorous Real Madrid. John Carew is Lyon's top goalscorer
with four goals while Juninho has laid on three assists. PSV
will have their backers but Lyon remained undefeated in the
group stage and should edge this encounter. Verdict: Lyon to
qualify at 1/2.
Villarreal vs Rangers An upset could be on the cards in this
encounter with Rangers a large price to qualify ahead of
Spaniards Villarreal. Under-fire Rangers boss Alex McLeish may
be ridiculously off-the-pace in the Scottish Premier, but he has
got it right in Europe and Rangers have become the first side
north of the border to venture this far in the competition.
Villarreal scored just three times in six group stage matches.
Verdict: Rangers to qualify at 5/2.
Real Madrid vs Arsenal This is the first time the two have
clashed in Champions League and the bookmakers are having
difficulty separating them. The Gunners won their five opening
matches in the group stage before an experimental line-up drew
0-0 with Ajax in the final round of fixtures. Real Madrid have
plenty of attacking power in their line up but are suspect at
the back which could be to Arsenal's advantage. Verdict: Arsenal
to qualify at 10/11.
Juventus vs Werder Bremen Juventus stormed through the group
stage, winning five out of six matches, with David Trezeguet
scoring four goals. The "Old Lady" have already beaten and lost
to German opposition in the competition this season, with two
2-1 results against giants Bayern Munich in the group stage.
Werder Bremen are at their best at home, demonstrated in the 5-1
demolition of Panathinaikos and 4-3 victory over Udinese.
Verdict: Juventus to qualify at 4/11.