Champions League – Draw – Follow the draw live
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
The best sixteen teams left in the competition will be drawn against each other before restarting in February. Follow the draw live at BettingExpert.
The rules of the draw at this point are basically three straight forward ones:
- no team can be drawn against a team with which it was already paired in the group stage
- teams from the same nation cannot be drawn against each other
- teams which finished top of their group can only meet teams which finished second in other groups
Lyon – Apoel Nicosia
Different kinds of luck for Lyon. The one that had them score the right amount of goals to go through on goal difference in place of Ajax and the other kind which got them the team considered weakest amongst those that finished first in their group.
Apoel have shown they are not an easy team to play against. They are very good going forward and in Cyprus it should be an entertaining game against Lyon. The French side should take advantage of their experience and strike the newcomers while still in awe of the prestige and significance of this clash. Yet they should be wary of the hidden dangers behind this clash, trying to avoid requiring ‘luck’ once again to go through to the quarter-finals.
Early prediction: Lyon
Napoli – Chelsea
Napoli have not been spared another difficult clash despite what they had to endure to qualify from Group A. The games against top European teams should have helped them mature and given their great displays against another English side, Manchester City, they may feel they can nick this one as well.
Chelsea’s advantage over Napoli, and perhaps also over Manchester City, is their international experience. They know how to face these kind of games and Villas Boas, despite the troubles he has had to face in a league he is still getting familiar with, still has plenty of experience in European competitions having been alongside Mourinho during Inter’s success and having won the Europa League last season with Porto.
It has been a difficult season for Chelsea and at this pace they will be out of contention for the Premier League pretty soon. Let’s wait for the busy Christmas period to be over in order to confirm that. The Champions League will be their only remaining realistic target. This will therefore be a double fixture they will give their hearts for and Napoli, despite all the good things shown so far, should not be able to keep up.
The Italians’ only advantage is that the Blues have shown a tendency to go for the game and disregard their backline. Napoli know how to play on the counter extremely well and if they can keep their discipline and composure for the whole 180 minutes, taking their chances along the way, there might be a possibility for them to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, going beyond what Maradona’s Napoli had managed to achieve.
Early prediction: Chelsea
Milan – Arsenal
Last year Milan were sent back home after facing another London team. Tottenham were less impressive than they have been in recent weeks but Milan were clearly focused on taking the title in Italy. Just one goal over the two legs and no exciting football to watch.
This time around it should be a different approach by Milan. The big-eared trophy is their main target and well aware that their team has grown stronger from last they will want to be protagonists in Europe once again.
On the other hand it cannot be said of Arsenal that they have strengthened themselves in comparison to last year. Nasri and Fabregas have waved good-bye and replacements are yet to take the reins in the manner those two stars had done.
The Gunners’ main problem is that they have grown very dependent on van Persie for goals. Gervinho and Walcott, the wide men upfront on whom Wenger counts a lot, may be good at running into space and with the ball but they lack confidence when it comes to finishing it off.
In London it will of course be difficult. They did defeat Barcelona there in recent times and Milan will have to be cautious there, especially knowing that the last time they faced Arsenal they got kicked out. I don’t think it will be difficult to keep the Gunners at bay this time round but the Italians will need to have a good advantage to defend when they visit so the match in Milan will be very important for them.
Early prediction: Milan
Basel – Bayern Munich
Same football style for the neighbours but Bayern Munich will not make the same mistake Ferguson did with his Red Devils. The Germans are aiming straight at the final in their own stadium and Basel should not be trouble for them especially if they keep up the level with which they have performed in the first half of the season.
Early prediction: Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen – Barcelona
Germany’s second surviving team in the Champions League should not be able to count on that survival come March. It must be mentioned that Ballack and co. have won all their home matches in the group stage and that included fixtures against Chelsea and Valencia. What has worked in their favour so far is their eagerness to attack their opponent, showing no fear at all. I believe they will keep to that philosophy and in the process favour Barcelona’s style of play making it easier for them to cut through a defence that is not very well organized or helped by the midfield.
Early prediction: Barcelona
CSKA Moscow – Real Madrid
What to say here? A very evident difference in quality which Mourinho will make sure to emphasize in the double encounter, demanding that his players close it off in the first leg. Their Spanish nemesis Barcelona has often encountered difficulties on their travels in Russia and the weather in February should not be very welcoming for a Spanish side. That may be the only obstacle for the Blancos which, however, should still enjoy the walk in the park.
Early prediction: Real Madrid
Zenit St. Petersburg – Benfica
Very balanced encounter with Benfica clearly the more talented side. Benfica’s general director Rui Costa was relieved at not having been drawn against an Italian team but in Spalletti his side will be up against some tight lines with the Italian manager trying to make it difficult for them to pass the ball around.
In Portugal the Russians have already managed to seal their qualification to this stage of the competition, ousting Porto. That should have given them more confidence that they can make it again this time.
It will not be easy but even a narrow win at home can place Zenit in a very favourable position to qualify to the quarters. Benfica will need to take them seriously when they travel for a cold Russian February match.
Early prediction: Zenit St. Petersburg
Marseille – Inter
Deschamps patched things up in the final two matchdays last season to go through to the stage of last 16. This time around they left it to the final match and orchestrated a qualification in dramatic fashion, beating Borussia Dortmund with two goals in the final five minutes, recovering from two goals down to go through in place of Olympiakos.
They have never portrayed themselves as comfortable enough playing in Europe though, showing weakness against the likes of Spartak Moscow and Zilina last season and repeating their alternating form again in this edition. With troubles brewing in Ligue 1 as well for them it looks unlikely that they can trouble Inter just as much as it is a doubt whether Deschamps will survive until February as Marseille manager.
Ranieri is slowly reviving this side but it may already be too late for them in Serie A. The Champions League looks like their best shot at success this season and I can see them putting up a very solid performance in France to crush the French at the San Siro later on.
Early prediction: Inter
16.12.2011, 16:48 CET
In fact there are no great clashes at this point apart from those two Andrew.
The English were unlucky in getting what can be thought of as the two strongest sides amongst those that finished second in their group.
I wonder whether your chimp can discover when was the last time that no English team had a team in the quarter-finals of the Champions League?
16.12.2011, 17:12 CET
I'll put the chimp on the task.
Yeah, I'm interested in how Napoli will do against Chelsea. Will be looking forward to your previews as usual.
16.12.2011, 17:38 CET
I think zenit-benica could be an intresting one alongside these two games,and btw, I reaaly miss Man.C here!
16.12.2011, 17:41 CET
And I think the Real chances for Final is really high,personally I Would like to see Bayern in the Final too;)so hard though considering the present form,but two months ago they were like the 3rd best side in Europe!
16.12.2011, 17:42 CET
I agree with "almost" all of your selections here David. Except two. Zenit doesn't have a snowball chance of a hell against Benfica. Napoli will kick another British giant between the .uts, ehm out of the Champions League. That said, It's about time for Andrew's chimp to get his homework done.
City will most likely be kicked out of the Europe League too. Porto will prove to be to strong for the sheiks. United's chances against Ajax aren't bad though. So, we should at least see one remaining side from England. As far as I can remember, without having a chimp sitting in the corner, the last time we didn't saw any English teams in Europe was between 1986-1990 due their international ban after the Heysel tragedy.
16.12.2011, 21:47 CET
Looks like the spanish teams have it easy again, bet the champions league version el clasico will be a highlight once again
16.12.2011, 22:05 CET
At one point I too think that Barcelona and Real Madrid are bound to meet again given their level as compared to the rest of the teams. At the moment there is simply no other side you can see as beating any of them. Maybe an all Spanish final?
Bayern are the only side I could have seen closing the gap with the two Spanish sides and with the final being played in Munich they should be the main outsiders to make it to the final, depending on which teams they meet on their way there of course. However, given their improved game I would not be surprised if they are the ones to oust one of the two Spanish favourites.
Napoli vs Chelsea should be an interesting one but my view at the moment is that the Blues can only fail if the current tactical problems would not have been solved yet by February. Their experience at this stage should rightly make them favourites for now. It will nonetheless be an interesting one to watch, especially the first leg in Italy where I believe both sides can help in making it a really great game to watch.
The Zenit vs Benfica match is very much in the balance in my opinion. Benfica have exceptional quality this season. Zenit tend to become timid in Europe usually but I have faith in Spalletti's abilities. He should get a result in the first leg in Russia though otherwise it would be an uphill struggle.
17.12.2011, 06:47 CET
The Chimp speaks - the last time no English club was involved in the Champions League quarter-finals was 1995/1996.......of course, only 16 clubs competed in the Champions League then. The English representative was Blackburn.
17.12.2011, 08:08 CET
Team from the same country couldn't meet in 1/8 finals. Is this rule valid for 1/4 finals draw?
17.12.2011, 09:23 CET
poglavica,I was with you the other day,that Man.C kicked out of champions league-I was sure that napoli wont miss the chance-but the problem was lack of Experience in Man.C..here,they sees themselves-alongside Man.u as main contenders so they have their self confidence and I think they will go through,porto does not look so healthy without Falcao and their coach,and Man.C has the better potential!
17.12.2011, 13:08 CET
No profitt. In the quarter-finals all teams can meet anyone. It is a free draw with no rules being imposed.
17.12.2011, 13:11 CET
Great job on looking up that statistic Andrew. Very bright that chimp of yours.
That was a very long time ago and looking at Blackburn's current position it really feels like ages ago.
I still think it can be prevented this time but it will depend on how the clubs are come mid-February.
18.12.2011, 08:08 CET
I also think chelsea will go through-napoli grand their wishes already with make it in such a hard group. and till then I think villas boas make chelsea even better team,arsenal,I dont know,milan is doing good these days.
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16.12.2011, 16:01 CET
The two matchups I am most keen to see are Napoli v Chelsea, Milan v Arsenal