Barcelona would be looking to finally down Olympique Lyon when they meet for the return leg of this game but the visitors would feel that the game is still very open and they can get through as well. The Catalans were kept at bay for much of the game when both sides met in France the last time out. Lyon also did well on the break and it took some good goalkeeping from the Barca goalkeeper to shut them out some times. Barcelona have gone on to record some good results after that game including beating Real Madrid twice in the Spanish Cup and Spanish league, so their fans would feel that they can see off Lyon here. Lyon should have also won at the weekend, but they let their 2 goals lead slip by conceding two goals in as many minutes against Strasbourg. That 2-2 wouldn’t have done their confidence any much good but they would feel this is the Champions League and they should come confident that a scoring draw would see them go through.

Real Madrid would be looking to get back to winning ways after back to back defeats at the hands of Barcelona as they look to retain the Champions League title they won in the past 3 seasons. Los Merengues have significantly been weakened by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane last summer and that has shown more in their domestic form as they are currently 12 points behind Barcelona. Madrid were beaten by Barcelona at the weekend, but they would hope that their Champions League form would lead them to the next round here. They won the first leg of this game but they have lost 3 and won 1 of the last 4 games that has followed that win at Amsterdam. Ajax have done better since the last time these teams met. The Dutch side have played 3 games since that time and they have won all of them, scoring 13 times and conceding just one goal. This game is still open after the 2-1 first leg score line and both sides would fancy their chances.  

Tottenham would be happy to turn their attention away from the Premier League that they have done very badly this season and turn it towards the Champions League as they seek to make progress to the quarterfinals. The Lillywhites hold a 3-0 advantage from the first leg and their fans would feel that they already have one leg in the next round. They come into this game after another poor showing in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal but this game gives them the chance to put things right. Dortmund have looked like they would be running away with the German league title for much of the season, but their season threatens to implode at the moment. They are currently level on points with Bayern Munich and only top on goal difference. They come into this game after a disappointing 2-1 loss at Augsburg so their fans would be expecting a response here.

Schalke 04 would have their hands full when Pep Guardiola takes his Manchester City team to play the Germans in this game. The Germans were very impressive last season as they finished second on the German league table behind Bayern Munchen, however, this season has been a terrible one for them and they would be looking to get out of the Champions League and concentrate on their league form. They are currently just 2 points away from the relegation zone and come into this game with no win and one draw from their last 3 games. Manchester City are looking to win four trophies this season and Pep Guardiola’s men have the chance to do that as they remain in all the competitions. The Cityzens are currently top of the Premier League table by goal difference and have reached the Carabao Cup final as well as the FA Cup quarterfinals. Pep Guardiola has the squad to win this competition, but Manchester City lack experience at this stage. While that inexperience could work against them in the latter stages, we expect them to win this game.

Atletico Madrid need a performance in front of their fans to boost the atmosphere at the Wanda Metropolitana after back to back losses in the league. The two losses from their last two league games has seen them drop down to 3rd in the Spanish league table, but they have to turn their attention to the Champions League here. Atleti have reached the final of this competition twice in the last 5 years, on both occasions, they took Real Madrid to extra time. Even though they ended those games with eventual losses, Diego Simeone has made them a force in European games. They won the Europa League last season after falling out of the Champions League in the group stages, they would be looking to get a first leg advantage when they host Juve here. Juventus have been the dominant force in Italian football for the past few seasons, their fans would probably be bored of winning the league and cup double as European trophy continues to elude them. They come into this game having lost two of their last three Champions league games. Although they topped their group and have opened an 11 points gap in the Serie A, the Old Ladies come here in patchy for as they have won just one of their last 3 games in all competitions.