It's the great oddity, the return of Champions League football for its knockout stage. It usually comes with Valentine's Day in the memory, but there's little room for love among the 16 remaining teams. And this year is no different; we might be heading to Paris on the week of Valentine's Day, but there are no flowers in sight.
With the Champions League Last 16 set to begin, the On About Nothing gives their predictions of all eight ties:
PSG v Real Madrid
Akin: PSG to win this tie by a close margin. I believe the players have quite a lot to prove as a club. The pressure is on now more than ever.
Bolish: I just think the talent and firepower in PSG's possession will be overwhelming for Madrid. Also, I don't a gulf in tactical acumen to tilt the fixture otherwise.
Bright: The most difficult encounter to call at this stage, but I believe PSG’s inconsistency and lack of cohesion would tip the tie Real Madrid's way. The Galacticos’ form cannot be overlooked either.
Kunle: Here’s the thing: PSG are Paris the Brand; and seemed to have sacrificed cohesion for Jordans. Real Madrid outperformed themselves at the early bits of the season and are now coming back down to earth, but there’s too much friction with PSG to take them seriously.
Wale: Real Madrid. PSG have more firepower on paper —especially when you look at the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Angel Di Maria— however, Le Parisiens have failed to look like a team so far this season and that might play into the hands of their opponents. On the other side, we have a Real Madrid playing as a team with players like Vinicius and Benzema who also have the ability to cause a lot of damage to PSG.
Sporting CP v Manchester City
Akin: City to win this easily. No cause for debate. I don’t have much comment as it’s Man City. They are expected to win. In fact, it’s beginning to sound more like a status quo.
Bolish: Sporting's form notwithstanding, I think it's just expected for Man City to breeze past them.
Bright: City would probably want the tie decided already in the first leg. The most in-form team in the Premier League would want to perfect any lapses before the final if they are to have any chance of winning the long elusive tournament.
Kunle: Of course, there have been shocks in European football, and more to come; Sporting beating Man City doesn’t look like one them. This has all the makings of a status quo victory.
Wale: The tie almost feels like a no-contest. Sporting pulled out all stops to make into the second round —with impressive home victories over Dortmund and Besiktas— however, City simply have too much quality for Ruben Amorim’s men to cope with.
Inter v Liverpool
Akin: Now, this is the tie to look forward. It’s a hard call for me. Both teams look formidable. So, a win from any of these two teams depend on who is able to capitalise on each other’s faults. Also, the tactical decisions by the individual coaches will be paramount. If I have to plump for one, I’d say Inter.
Bolish: Put this prediction down to trust. Inter haven't been able to do anything in Europe since 2010. Jurgen Klopp has been one more of the most consistent performers in the competition. Liverpool will have all pieces back, as well as with new signing Luis Diaz ready to go.
Bright: I can't see this transitioning Italian side in Europe getting past Liverpool with their ample attacking options.
Kunle: Inter have finally gone past the group stages, and I feel like anything is possible with Simeone Inzaghi’s men now. It’s heart over head, and gut over reason here, but I pit Inter to just shade it.
Wale: Not going to let my emotions guide on this one, for as much as I hope and pray Inter Milan find a way into the quarterfinals, I just don’t see how they can get past this Liverpool side. I’m expecting a very good tie with a lot of goals based on the way both teams play.
Benfica v Ajax
Akin: Because both teams are almost on the same level in terms of their style of play in their respective leagues, it promises to be a tight tie. I see this going the distance. Perhaps Ajax?
Bolish: Erik Ten Haag is on the clock; fraud, okay, good or great manager. He has the opportunity to show where he should be appropriately graded. Extremely talented squad on both teams, I just feel Ajax will nudge through.
Bright: With a perfect group stage, I sincerely see Ajax going beyond the semis this time. They should have enough to see off SL Benfica if they are to have a shot at the finals.
Kunle: Ajax were imperious in the group stage, and I genuinely see them as a contender to win this competition. Benfica only got through because Barcelona were so inept, and have lost Jorge Jesus already. I see this going only on way.
Wale: Benfica had the honour of ensuring Barcelona play Europa League football for the first time in two decades, however, coming up against Sebastian Haller and a young but vibrant Ajax team might prove too much for the team that have let Jorge Jesus go. This might be another tie to look forward to in terms of excitement and goals.
Villarreal v Juventus
Akin: Villareal might just shock everyone in this matchup but their best bet right now will be a dragging this tie as far as they can. This is the kind of game that one sincerely hopes Villarreal shows up. I don’t know why.
Bolish: Extremely biased pick here, I need a representative of Spain to just get through the round of 16, so Villarreal. Also, Juventus don't seem to have their groove, and they blow hot and cold from time to time.
Bright: As an ex-betting man I think this would be the game for the bookies. The Yellow Submarines wobbled through the group but an equally matched Old Lady might just be the breather they need.
Kunle: We’ve been here before with Juventus; relatively easy tie on paper, but they themselves are wobbling and crash out. They haven’t looked themselves since Max Allegri returned (frankly, since he left), but surely, they should have enough to get past Villarreal. Surely.
Wale: When the draws were made back in December, I could’ve fancied a Villarreal shocker. However, recent improvements by Juventus —in terms of playing personnel and performances— mean I just can’t see past Juventus for this tie over two legs.
RB Salzburg v Bayern Munich
Akin: Bayern should win this one easily. Enough firepower in the team. I don’t think it’s one of those games that we should expect an upset.
Bolish: One of the trickier ties that can go sour quick for either side. Bayern's experience and ability to put out fire quickly will come in handy here.
Bright: Bayern Munich. The German side would simply be too out to handle for a relatively young Salzburg.
Kunle: Every time Bayern Munich have dropped a banger this season, they’ve always left the impression that they can get even better. RB Salzburg should have a boisterous home crowd for this, but that won’t be enough.
Wale: Even the worst bookie in the world wouldn’t stake his money on Salzburg to get past the “almighty Bayern Munich”. While stranger things have happened in football, this young Salzburg side getting past Robert Lewandowski and company might just top the lot.
Chelsea v Lille
Akin: All odds are against Lille here. This should be an easy victory for Chelsea. If they look like the better team with the best chances, that’s because they are.
Bolish: Hot take. Haven't seen Lille enough to be informed about their chances against Chelsea, but judging by the blues lack of scoring, I'm not putting it past them qualifying from this tie.
Bright: This might be Chelsea’s biggest chance to put a good stamp on what has been a rollercoaster season for them.
Kunle: This looks like the easiest draw on paper, and with good reason; Lille haven’t matched last season’s form, and I’ve never been convinced by Jocelyn Gourvennec as a top-tier manager. I’d loved to be proved wrong, but Chelsea to go through.
Wale: Finishing second in the group stages might as well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea, as they get to face a struggling Lille team who are also quite inexperienced on this level whilst also losing a key player in Jonathan Ikone. Thomas Tuchel’s side are defending champions and should have too much in the tank for the current Ligue 1 title holders.
Atletico Madrid v Manchester United
Akin: Sweeping declaration: There is no way Man United are winning this tie. Atletico for me.
Bolish: Man United. The curse of Diego Simeone, dished out continuously by CR7 is something I'm a firm believer of. More so, both teams are barely in any kind of form. It will come down to slim margins, and Atleti have been extremely leaky in defence in recent weeks.
Bright: A vertical or horizontal derby, you know that no matter what they both claim to play, this could either be a super boring or a dramatic game. The Red Devils’ inability to finish games would bite them this time around and players like Rodrigo De Paul for Atletico Madrid has been impressive even on days when Diego Simeone looks clueless.
Kunle: The suffering is necessary. The anxiety exists… for both teams. For the pair, it’s a last stand in a struggle of a season, and while I have a thing of never rooting against Atleti no matter what, whoever gets past here shouldn’t go much further.
Wale: The tie I completely dreaded seeing but somehow UEFA and fate made it happen. Both teams play too structurally and whilst Atletico are not in the best of form — neither are Man Utd— I believe Diego Simeone’s side have the experience and desire to get past a simply poor assembly of players in Manchester.
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