The dust has finally settled after what proved to be a dramatic round of Champions League action. Surprises, goalfests and blowouts and just two couple of draws marked the first-leg games in the round of 16 of Europe’s top club competition.
There’s plenty of intrigue ahead of next weeks second legs, with teams still dreaming of reaching the Puskás Aréna, where the final will be played on May 30th.
One of the talking points ahead of the first legs was the dominance of the Premier League with all six participating sides making it through to the Round of 16.
However, it was a bleak night for the sextet with only Newcastle and Arsenal capable of securing draws whilst Man City, Spurs and Chelsea all have three goal deficits to turnaround. Liverpool will be quietly optimistic that the Anfield effect will be instrumental in their second leg with Galatasaray as they trail 1-0 to the Turkish side.
First leg UCL round of 16 results
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Newcastle 1-1 FC Barcelona
Atlético Madrid 5-2 Tottenham
Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich
Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
PSG 5-2 Chelsea
Bodø/Glimt 3-0 Sporting Lisbon
Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City
Can the Premier League sides prevail in their ties?
March 17
4:00 p.m. ET: Chelsea vs. PSG
Three late goals in Paris did the damage in the first leg with PSG still far from the side they were last season as they swept to the title in Munich.
Expect Chelsea to win on the night but just fall short of progressing to the quarterfinals.
Chelsea: chances of advancing: 20%
4:00 p.m. ET: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s unique relationship with the Champions League was plain to see on a remarkable night with a hat-trick from Valverde putting ‘Los Blancos’ in the driving seat. A missed Vinicius spot kick could have really put the tie beyond doubt but Madrid should prevail.
Man City: chances of advancing: 30%
4:00 p.m. ET: Arsenal vs. Leverkusen
The Gunners remain unbeaten in the competition and for many tipsters are the leading side to lift the trophy in Budapest come late May. Mike Arteta’s men should have little complications in progressing to the next stage.
Arsenal: chances of advancing: 90%
March 18
1:45 p.m. ET: Barcelona vs. Newcastle
Despite having the better of the first leg, a last gasp spotkick from Lamine Yamal secured a precious draw with the Catalan side set to prevail ahead of a home crowd at Camp Nou with Hansi Flick’s side yet to taste defeat at home all season.
Newcastle: chances of prevailing: 15%
4:00 p.m. ET: Tottenham vs. Atlético Madrid
Spurs committed harakiri in the opening 20 minutes of a terrible first leg in the Spanish capital with Atletico gifted two of their five goals on the night. Embroiled in a relegation battle and questions being asked about Igor Tudor, the Spanish side will have little trouble in advancing.
Spurs: chances of prevailing: 15%
4:00 p.m. ET: Liverpool vs. Galatasaray
An away win over Ajax aside, the Turkish champions have struggled away from their Istanbul home all season and Arne Slot’s team will have too much firepower to see CimBom fail progress to the Round of 16 for the sixth time in the club’s history.
Liverpool: chances of prevailing: 65%
Arsenal and Liverpool to advance to the quarterfinals with City, Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle to bow out in the Round of 16.
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