After a long, long delay in fixtures, the Champions League knockout stages start this week, with four appetizing match-ups on schedule.
Tuesday’s fixtures:
Bayer Leverkusen v FC Barcelona
Lyon v Apoel Nicosia
Wednesday’s fixtures:
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
AC Milan v Arsenal
Now then, let’s get right to the match previews and predictions.
Bayer Leverkusen v FC Barcelona: Match Preview
With both FC Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen on poor form entering this fixture, something’s surely got to give at BayArena.
For the record, Leverkusen have won just one of their last five matches, while the Catalans have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five.
Players to Watch
Andre Schürrle is surely the danger man for Bayer Leverkusen.
His pace, trickery and technical ability should give Dani Alves all sorts of problems on the left flank.
For the reigning European champions, Lionel Messi is the key man. No explanation necessary.
Prediction
Barcelona avoid back-to-back defeats. 3-1 Catalans.
Lyon v Apoel Nicosia: Match Preview
Apoel Nicosia will travel to France to take on Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday night.
It’s safe to say that Apoel are underdogs with the bookmakers, and rightfully so.
That being said, it would be foolish for Lyon to write them off.
Players to Watch
Bafétimbi Gomis is the man to keep an eye on for the home side.
Gomis bagged five goals in the group stages, including four in one match versus Dinamo Zagreb. Look for the 26-year-old to get on the score-sheet on Tuesday night.
For Apoel, former Copenhagen Brazilian-born striker Aílton, who has netted three goals in five Champions League matches this season, is surely the danger man.
Prediction
At the end of the day, Lyon have too much class. 2-1 OL.
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica: Match Preview
On Wednesday, Portuguese side Benfica take on Zenit St Petersburg at Petrovski Stadium.
Zenit are eight points clear of second place Dinamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League table, while Benfica are five points clear of second place FC Porto in Portugal’s top-flight.
Players to Watch
Nicolas Gaitán is hands down the man to watch on Wednesday night for Benfica.
Although the Argentine winger has not scored in the Champions League this season, he’s tallied five assists in six games.
Portuguese international Danny is who you should keep an eye on for Zenit.
Danny has bagged nine goals in 27 Russian Premier League matches, a fine goal-scoring record for a midfield player.
Prediction
The home advantage will prove to be vital, 2-1 Zenit.
AC Milan v Arsenal: Match Preview
Arsene Wenger leads Arsenal into Italy to take on AC Milan in a cracking tie in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages on Wednesday night.
The only thing that I need to say is that you must watch this tie.
Players to Watch
You may have heard of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He’s a pretty good player, and he’s the man to watch for AC Milan on Wednesday.
Ibrahimovic has tallied 21 goals and five assists in 26 games in all competitions for AC Milan in 2011-12.
Robin van Persie again. Who else could it be?
RVP has netted 27 goals and seven assists in 31 games in all competitions for the Gunners this season.
RVP for MVP?
Prediction
Let’s just say that I don’t fancy Arsenal to get a result on Wednesday, 3-1 Milan.
