This week, the Champions League returns after a 2-month break. After an interesting knock-out stage, 16 teams have qualified for the next round and they will play against one another in a series of two matches (legs), one home and one away, and the overall winner will advance to the next round. 8 teams will play against each other this week, and another 8 the next week. So in this article, I will be sharing my predictions for this week of Champions League games.
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City
The champions Manchester City will take on Danish team Copenhagen, who impressively finished 2nd in their group of Bayern Munich (1st), Galatasaray (3rd), and Manchester United (4th) for this year's UEFA Champion's League. In last season's Champions League, these two teams were in the same group, with City winning 5-0, and tying 0-0.
Currently, Manchester City are 2nd in the Premier League and have the opportunity to jump to 1st if they win their game in hand. Copenhagen sit 3rd place in the Danish league, and they are still in the title race.
Some of Manchester City's best players, Kevin De Bruyne, and Erling Haaland, have just returned from injury. With these two back, there might not be a single team that can stop them from winning the Champions League. They could easily go back to back, and lift the Champions League trophy for the 2nd team in their history.
This matchup is the most lopsided in the Champions League, and Manchester City should easily cruise past Copenhagen.
My prediction: Manchester City to easily win.
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid
Real Madrid are the most successful club in Champions League history. Having won the trophy an impressive, 14 times, they are looking to make that 15 this season. With the departure of star striker Karim Benzema over the summer, many people believed Real Madrid would not be as threatening as they were last season. New signing, Jude Bellingham has proved this wrong as he leads the team in goals, and has transformed Madrid back to their best.
RB Leipzig is not having the best season in the Bundesliga, sitting in 5th place and fighting for a Champions League spot next season. In the Champions League, however, they are performing well, winning all their games except two against Manchester City. Xavi Simons and Loïs Openda have been Leipzig's star attackers this season, and they have 39 goals and assists between them in both the Champions League and Premier League.
Real Madrid has been hit hard with injuries as their star goalkeeper, and two starting defenders are out for the rest of the season. This has led to players playing out of position to cover for the injured players. Nevertheless, Madrid has still been playing like one of the best teams in the world, especially in La Liga, where they are looking to run away with the league title.
These teams played against each other last season in the group stage, where each team won a game. This year, it's going to be different. I believe it will be close at first, because of Madrid's unfortunate injuries and Leipzig's attack, but Madrid will be able to play their game and beat Leipzig to advance. Madrid's team has so much quality, and I don't think Leipzig can handle them.
My prediction: Madrid to win.
PSG vs. Real Sociedad
Kylian Mbappe is on fire for PSG right now. He currently has 30 goals in all competitions this season, which is the most by any player in Europe's top five leagues. He is currently leading the way for PSG, and he seems impossible to stop. PSG sits on top of Ligue 1, with a comfortable lead, and is still very much a strong team despite losing Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Real Sociedad is not playing well in La Liga, currently in 7th place, and is pushing to try and play in Europe next season. In the Champions League, however, it has been a completely different story. They managed to finish on top of their group without losing a single game. What is even more impressive is that they beat out last season's finalist Inter Milan, who are an elite European team.
At their best, Real Sociedad has the potential to upset a lot of the big teams, especially with their defense being as solid as it is. At their worst though, Sociedad can be poor offensively and often struggle to score a single goal. With PSG's elite attack, this means more than likely Sociedad's attack will decide if they can pull off the upset or not.
With how inconsistent Sociedad's attack is, I think PSG will comfortably move past Sociedad onto the next round.
My prediction: PSG to go through.
Lazio vs. Bayern
Bayern has always been dominant in Europe, and it is no different this season. Although they are stuck in 2nd place in the Bundesliga, they remain one of the favorites to win the Champions League. Harry Kane is on fire this season, and he is on pace to set the Bundesliga record for most goals scored in a single season. Bayern have been unstoppable in the Champions League as well, not losing a single game, and topping their group.
Lazio have been okay this season. They didn't have the hardest group in the Champions League, so they were able to advance to the next round finishing 2nd. In Serie A, they sit in 6th place and again haven't been that impressive.
Bayern will easily dismantle Lazio, who don't stand a chance against Bayern's attack. I think Bayern have not been playing their best this season, but still, they will easily run over Lazio.
My prediction: Bayern will destroy Lazio.