This is a huge week in European soccer with Champions League games tonight and tomorrow. With three games between English and Italian teams, bragging rights for the best league in Europe is up for grabs. Gazing into my crystal ball, these are how I expect the games to go:
Arsenal v Roma: Arsenal is having trouble scoring against anyone these days and I can see Roma grabbing a valuable away goal here and winning this tie 1-0 or 2-1 on aggregate.
Inter Milan v Man United: This is the glamour tie of the round matching up The Special One and the defending champions. United’s injury woes worry me and I think that Inter will win in the San Siro and upset United.
Atletico Madrid v FC Porto: When this draw was made Atletico was one of the inform teams, but that has changed as they have now lost six of their last ten matches in all competitions. I expect Porto to get a good enough result in Spain tonight, which will put them in a good enough position to win this tie at home.
Lyon v Barcelona: This game matches the perennial underachievers in Lyon against the best team in Europe. I cannot see any way how Barcelona loses this tie.
Chelsea v Juventus: Two weeks ago Chelsea were floundering under Scolari and I could see no way that Chelsea would beat Juventus. But Chelsea have a bit of a bounce in their step and I expect them to see off Juve here.
Real Madrid v Liverpool: When the draw was made, I thought that Liverpool would win this one easily. But form has changed and it is now Real Madrid who are hot and Liverpool who have gone cold. In a close match, I expect Real Madrid to win this one.
Sporting v Bayern: Sporting has some injury problems at the moment while Bayern Munich has already lost three times this year in four games. It is easier to replace injured players than find that missing form and I expect Sporting to upset Bayern.
Villarreal v Panathinaikos: Villarreal is another team struggling at the moment while Panathinaikos seemed a little more suited to the tactical European game than they do for domestic matches. In an upset, I expect Panathinaikos to win this one.
What do you think of the predictions?