Champions League round of 16 preview

The draw for the Champions League round of 16 has been made and there are some mouth-watering ties for fans to look forward to.

Manchester City and Liverpool remain at the head of the betting following the draw, and both teams will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals. Read on as we look at the fixtures.

Atletico Madrid v Liverpool

Liverpool finished top of Group E during the opening stage, although it is fair to say they had a scare or two along the way.

They eventually booked their place in the knockout phase with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg and are favourites with gg.bet sports to progress to the quarter-finals.

Atletico are going through a transitional period and although they remain tough to beat, they are likely to lack the attacking flair needed to defeat Liverpool.

Real Madrid v Manchester City

Madrid’s qualification for the knockout stage never looked in any danger, although they had to settle for second place in Group A behind Paris Saint-Germain.

Their current team looks a long way short of the quality of previous Madrid sides and City will provide them with a massive test.

With Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero closing in on a return to first team action, the Premier League side are strongly fancied to progress.

Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain

PSG took four points off Madrid during the group stage to spark talk that this could finally be their year in the Champions League.

However, they have imploded in the knockout stage before and it would be a brave move to back them to beat Dortmund.

The German side edged out Inter Milan during the opening phase and could be a good bet to add to PSG’s woes in this competition.

Atalanta v Valencia

Atalanta squeezed through behind City in Group C, but it would be a major surprise if they can defeat Valencia in the last 16.

The La Liga side claimed top spot in Group H ahead of Chelsea and Ajax and should possess too much know-how for Atalanta.

After a slow start to the league season Valencia’s form has picked up and they are a banker bet to progress to the quarter-finals.

Lyon v Juventus

Juventus have invested big money into building a side capable of winning the Champions League and they should easily see off Lyon in this tie.

They comfortably claimed top spot in Group D ahead of Atletico and are expected to breeze into the last eight without any problems.

Lyon sneaked into second spot in Group G behind RB Leipzig, but they lack the quality needed to give Juventus any trouble.

Chelsea v Bayern Munich

Chelsea did well to finish ahead of Ajax to seal second spot in Group H, but their Champions League journey is likely to end against Bayern.

The German side became just the seventh side in history to win all six group games, with their 7-2 victory at Tottenham Hotspur undoubtedly their standout performance.

The Blues have been less than convincing defensively this season and Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski could have a field day in this tie.

Tottenham v RB Leipzig

Spurs easily took second place behind Bayern in Group B and are favourites to see off Leipzig’s challenge in the last 16.

Manager Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to win this competition and that knowledge should prove invaluable against the German side.

Leipzig are going well in the Bundesliga, but their lack of Champions League experience could be the deciding factor against Spurs.

Napoli v Barcelona

Barcelona haven’t been quite at their brilliant best this term, but still managed to win Group F with ease.

Forward Lionel Messi remains their go-to man and with him in their side Barca are capable of going all the way in the Champions League.

Napoli have done well to reach the last 16, but off-field troubles are derailing their season and Barca will prove to be too classy.

Champions League round of 16 draw

Borussia Dortmund v Paris St-Germain

Real Madrid v Manchester City