The Champions League returned with a bang last week as Manchester City and Liverpool both took giant leaps towards the quarter finals with brilliant wins at Sporting and Inter respectively.
There was also a last-minute winner for PSG against Real Madrid, while a superb Salzburg performance saw the Austrian side hold Bayern at home.
On the English side of things, it is the turn of Chelsea and Manchester United this week, the current European Cup holders welcoming Lille to London on Tuesday night and United travelling to Spain for an intriguing matchup against Atletico on Wednesday.
Last year’s Europa League winners Villareal also host Juventus on Tuesday, while four-time Champions League winners Ajax travel to Benfica on Wednesday.
Chelsea vs Lille (Tuesday 8pm)
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It must have been fate that these two would meet, being pulled out of the hat against each other twice after the botched draw back in December.
Chelsea will be the happier of the two with that outcome, avoiding the likes of Bayern Munich, PSG, and other European heavyweights after slipping to second behind Juventus on the final matchday.
Indeed, despite their patchy form, the recently crowned world champions should have too much for their French counterparts.
For Ligue 1 champions Lille, it is about staying in the tie and having something to take back to France in three weeks’ time.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0
Villareal vs Juventus (Tuesday 8pm)
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Can Unai Emery take his Europa League success into Europe’s elite competition?
The last time the Spaniard reached the knockouts of the Champions League his PSG side were on the end of one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time, squandering a 4-0 first leg advantage against Barcelona after losing 6-1 at the Nou Camp.
He has arguably already achieved success this season, guiding his Villareal side out of Group F ahead of Atalanta after beating the Italians on the final matchday.
Up against stiffer Italian opposition on Tuesday, however, the wily Spaniard might have his work cut out this time around.
After their slow start under returning boss Massimo Allegri, Juventus have seemingly turned a corner, unbeaten in their last 12 Serie A matches. Add to that their signing of promising young forward Dushan Vlahovic from Fiorentina, and the Old Lady could be a dark horse to claim their first European Cup since 2003.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United (Wednesday 8pm)
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Just when Atletico thought they’d seen the last of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal international returns to face Diego Simeone’s side once again.
Ronaldo has tormented his Spanish opponents over the years, bagging 25 goals in 35 games, including a hat-trick for Juventus at this stage of the completion three years ago to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Despite their indifferent form this season, the current La Liga champions will nonetheless pose a stern test to a United side still yet to convince under Ralf Ragnick.
Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho will surely be the key to the tie for the Red Devils, both players in fine form in recent weeks.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Benfica vs Ajax (Wednesday 8pm)
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Ajax were one of the most impressive teams in the group stage, winning all six of their games and scoring 20 goals in the process.
Led by the progressive Erik ten Hag, the Amsterdam club have once again blended an exciting mix of youth and experience. Sebastien Haller has particularly excelled since his move from West Ham, the Ivorian usurping Erling Haaland to become the fastest player to score 10 Champions League goals after doing so in his six group stage appearances.
Benfica did well themselves to progress from Group E, taking 4 points from Barcelona to finish above the Catalan giants.
Now faced with a more well-rounded and complete team over two legs, however, the Portuguese club will likely struggle to raise their level.
