The stage is set for the first-ever edition of the UEFA Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs.
The playoffs begin this week when several European heavyweights will compete for a spot in the Champions League Round of 16.
The first leg fixtures will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday (11 and 12), while the return leg fixtures are next week on Tuesday and Wednesday (18 and 19), respectively.
There are 16 teams – Brest, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Atalanta, Monaco, Benfica, Celtic, Bayern Munich, Feyenoord and AC Milan – that will play in the playoffs.
NEWSUNPLUGKE reports that only eight teams out of the 16 teams will qualify to join the other eight teams already in the Round of 16 stage.
The likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter, Leverkusen, Lille, and Liverpool have already qualified for the last-16 following the conclusion of the group-stage fixtures last month.
Here are the fixtures for the Champions League playoffs:
Tuesday’s matches:
Brest vs Paris Saint-Germain: Brest is in poor form in the Champions League as they won just two home games at Stade du Roudourou. PSG is in good form in the competition as they won two away games. Brest have never won against PSG in their past 20 meetings.
Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven: Juventus is in mixed form in the Champions League this season, as they have won two home games at Allianz Stadium.
PSV is also in good form in the Champions League, as they have won one away game. Juventus have never lost to PSV in their past one meeting.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: The Premier League champions are in poor form in the Champions League this season as they have won two home games at Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid is in good form in the Champions League, as they have won two away games. Man City won five times in their past 13 meetings with Real Madrid.
Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund: Sporting CP is in poor form in the Champions League as they have won two home games at Estádio José Alvalade. Dortmund is also in good form as they have won two away games. Sporting won one time in their past four meetings with Dortmund.
Wednesday’s matches:
Club Brugge vs Atalanta: Club Brugge is in mixed form in the Champions League as they have won two home games at Jan Breydelstadion. Atalanta is also in good form in the competition, as they have won three away games.
Monaco vs Benfica: Monaco is in mixed form in the Champions League as they have won three home games at Stade Louis II. Benfica is also in mixed form, as they have won three away games. Monaco never won against Benfica in their past three meetings.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich: Celtic is in mixed form in the Champions League as they have won three home games at Celtic Park. Bayern Munich is also in good form in the Champions League, as they have registered only one win in their last four away games. Celtic have never won against Bayern in their past four meetings.
Feyenoord vs AC Milan: Feyenoord is in mixed form in the Champions League as they have won two home games at Stadion Feijenoord, while Milan is also in good form in the competition as they have won two away games. Both teams have beaten each other once in the past.
Speaking with NEWSUNPLUGKE on Monday, respected journalist Femi Fabunmi gave his opinion about the first-ever edition of the UEFA Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs.
Fabunmi also predicted the eight teams he feels would eventually qualify for the Round of 16 stage.
What do you think about the first-ever edition of the UEFA Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs?
Fabunmi said, “On a personal note, I really do not fancy this New Format, but it looks like it has come to stay.
“The fact that teams do not get to play on a home and away basis is so off for me.
“Maybe UEFA should retain this format but with teams playing on neutral grounds.
“But playing a team just once on home soil will give advantage to some teams.”
Which eight teams among the 16 teams do you think will eventually advance to the Round of 16?
Fabunmi added, “I see Real Madrid, PSG, PSV, Atalanta, Benfica, Milan, Dortmund and Bayern qualifying to the round of 16.”
