What an evening we have ahead! Today is not an ordinary European football evening. For the first time, 36 teams will be playing in 18 matches at the same time. Apart from those who have already qualified for the next round (Liverpool and Barça) plus those already eliminated (Bologna, Sparta Praha, Leipzig, Girona, Red Star, Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Slovan and Young Boys), the vast amount of them will be fighting to go through either to the last 16 round or to play-offs, prior to that last 16 round.
8 teams will qualify straight to the last 16 round and 16 more will be playing an additional round in February to join the first group in March and continue the race to the final in Munich, May 31st.
So, I am aware that most of you consider football a bit boring due to the short results and scarce goals. However, I am pretty confident that tonight is going to be fun.
There are up to 18 teams involved with options to qualify straight to the last 16 round and miss the additional round in February. Some of them are well known teams such as Bayern , Real Madrid and Juventus. Two of the favorites at the beginning of the tournament, Man City and PSG, are at risk of being eliminated.
Stackers have provided their predictions for the following matches:
- Stuttgart vs PSG
- Man City vs Brugge
- Juventus vs Benfica
- Brest vs Real Madrid
- Aston Villa vs Celtic
- Lille vs Feyenoord
If you have not done it yet, please send your predictions before 7:00 PM CET today.
I will be probably watching the clash between Real Madrid and Brest. French side has been the surprise this year. Being among the top 8 teams for most of the group phase, just fell from these posts last week. Real Madrid has been irregular with two losses away , one of them against another French team , Lille.
PSG is visiting Stuttgart. Both teams have achieved the same amount of points (10). Tonight is going to be tough. The losing team may end up eliminated and that would be a massive failure for the PSG.
Similar situation for Man City. In this case, they play at home against Brugge. If you look to both rosters, English side should not have problems, but this is not a regular year for the Citizens.
Another interesting match, will be played in Torino. Juve and Benfica are at the middle of the table. Italians, have already secured a spot in the play-offs though I am sure that they will fight to move up in the table and try to reach the top 8.
Aston Villa is touching with the tip of their fingers the top of the table and have within a close distance to move at the top 8. Celtic have secured their presence in the play-offs and still have some options to reach the top 8.
Finally, Feyenoord and Lille will be disputing a most likely spot at the top 8 also. The team that wins here have many options to end up at the last 16 round, avoiding the February matches.
So, plenty of action tonight. Enjoy the beautiful game and please comment anything if you are following any of these matches.