Reaction to Champions League 1st Knockout round draw

Today the draw for the 1st knockout round in the Champions league was made and it threw up some tasty and interesting match-ups. The headline grabbing tie was Arsenal drawn to face Barcelona..again.

KAA Gent v Wolfsburg

Gent's historic champions league campaign continues and no matter who was going to be drawn was going to be tough for the Buffaloes. Manchester
United's conquers Wolfsburg will await the Belgians in the next round. Gent who cam through a tricky group that featured the more experienced Lyon and Valencia will fancy their chances of creating more history against the Germans.

As for Wolfsburg well they'll be more than happy with this draw. They avoided the more tricky group runners-up in PSG and Juventus. In this tie it is difficult to see much more than a Wolfsburg victory so I'll go with that but Gent will not be a cakewalk.

AS Roma v Real Madrid 

A tie that many years ago would've been very difficult to predict, is slightly more easier these days. On current form Real Madrid will have to be favorites. Roma just about managed to qualify and didn't impress along the way while Real Madrid came through a very easy group pretty much unscathed. Roma's form recently has hit a turn for the worst which began with a 6-1 thumping by Barcelona, while Real Madrid may have slipped off the pace in La Liga they still will fancy their chances here. An easy Real Madrid victory.

Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea 

A repeat of the clash at the same stage last season. Chelsea will have revenge on their minds as it was a late PSG victory that ended their European campaign last season. Domestically both sides are in totally opposite form. PSG are currently 17 points clear in Ligue 1 while Chelsea's form and season has been well documented. In Europe however Chelsea haven't showed as much malaise in their form. They topped a potentially tricky group and will consider themselves unlucky having drawn probably the strongest runner-up side. For PSG nothing less than progress will be on their minds. It is Europe where the season hinges on success or failure and this could well be a very tight and interesting tie. I'll stick my neck out on go with Chelsea on away goals.

Arsenal v Barcelona
A tie that seems to happen every season. Arsenal managed to qualify from what was on paper a very easy group but their early form in this competition meant they were always going to set themselves up for a mountain of a tie at this stage. Barcelona were unchallenged in the group and will be overwhelming favorites for this tie. Barcelona made light work of Manchester City at this stage last season and could do so again if their front three are firing on all cylinders come February. Arsenal's best hope is to make use of the home advantage by taking a lead to the second leg but it's a tall order. A comfortable Barcelona victory.

Juventus v Bayern Munich
One of the stronger sides that Bayern could've got and it makes for a fascinating tie between the German and Italian champions. Bayern came through their group with the minimum of fuss while Juventus emerged from the most difficult group in the last round. The Italians are back in form and back in the Serie A title race after a slow start and while it's hard to predict what kind of form they will be in when this tie comes around in two months time it'll surely be a close tie. Bayern will be favorites for obvious reasons such as the attacking flair they have but Juve have a chance here. However I think Bayern will just about get over the line.

PSV Eindhoven v Atlético Madrid
Atlético would've been the side most would like to have avoided and needless to say PSV would've preferred someone else. Not many will give PSV much hope of getting the better of Diego Simeone's very hard-working side. The Dutch side will have to make home advantage count before a tricky away second leg if they are to have any hope of progressing to the last 8. The Spanish side have an array of attacking options but recently did lose holding midfield general Tiago to long term injury and this could be an area for PSV to work on. Atlético to be too strong and progress.

Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg 
Not the easiest tie to predict. Zenit stormed their group but haven't exactly light up their domestic league this season while Benfica started strongly but finished poorly in their group and are in hot form domestically. Script writers may be looking at former Porto winger Hulk to score the goals that knock Benfica out of Europe or maybe their own former players Axel Witsel or Ezequiel Garay. The advantage might be with Benfica when you factor in that Zenit will be on a winter break from competitive football from until the 1st leg in Lisbon. Benfica to qualify.

Dynamo Kyiv v Manchester City
Dynamo Kyiv finally negotiated a group stage for the first time since 1998-99 when they reached the semi-finals. Any repeat is likely to be very tough for them this time around especially since they have drawn Manchester City. City will be favorites and have the better players to cause Dynamo problems. However the first leg is in Kyiv which might give Dynamo some hope, not many teams will fancy the trek to Kyiv to play in sub-zero temperatures in February and this might give Dynamo hope. However I can see Dynamo getting something from the home leg but do see City progressing.