or 
Here Come the Champions | 
With the second leg of the Champions League round of sixteen almost underway, I can’t help but express my anticipation. With few teams in the clear, almost all of the second leg fixtures are integral. English champions Manchester United play host to Italian champions Inter Milan, as Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho get to renew a rivalry. Rafa Benitez enjoyed his return to Spain a fortnight ago, and his Liverpool side are already 1-0 up on Real Madrid. Who will win these games and the rest of the fixtures? Here are my thoughts on Tuesday’s Champions League fixtures:
Bayern Munich v Sporting
First leg: Sporting 0-5 Bayern Munich
I suppose I’ll get the safest prediction out of the way first. Bayern Munich’s first leg victory came in Portugal, which makes the 5-0 thrashing even more impressive. Barring a major catastrophe, I don’t see any way Sporting can come out of this tie alive. Bayern have set themselves up beautifully, and even by resting some key players they should still progress easily. To put things in perspective, even if Sporting win 6-1, the Portuguese side will still be crashing out of the Champions League. Crazy, crazy stuff.
Prediction: Bayern Munich will advance. This is not a prediction, it is a fact (Rafa knows it, too).
Juventus v Chelsea
First leg: Chelsea 1-0 Juventus
Chelsea fans will be looking at this tie as the rejuvanation of Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian grabbed the crucial goal in the first leg, and I wouldn’t bet against him scoring another in Italy. Chelsea have been in excellent form as of late, and Guus Hiddink seems to have restored normal order at the club. With the Premiership a little out of Chelsea’s grasp, the management and players will surely be looking at the Champions League as salvation. A disappointing loss on penalties last season, John Terry and company will want to redeem themselves. Juventus, unfortunately for them, will be the first victims.
Prediction: Chelsea to go through, and probably with a win in Italy. Drogba will be in rampant form, I’d imagine.
Panathinaikos v Villareal
First leg: Villareal 1-1 Panathinaikos
It’s hard for me to bet against Giuseppe Rossi, but Panathinaikos take the tie back to Greece with buckets of confidence. The Greek side grabbed an away goal in Spain, and that gives them the undoubted edge for the second leg. What makes this an intriguing tie is that on paper Villareal is clearly a better side. This doesn’t necessarily translate into results, though, and playing in front of the home crowd gives Panathinaikos an added incentive.
Prediction: It’ll be difficult, but I think Villareal will have enough to progress.
Liverpool v Real Madrid
First leg: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool
By far the most enticing tie on Tuesday for neutrals, Liverpool will be looking to continue their winning ways against the defending Spanish champions. Rafa Benitez knows all about Real, and with his job potentially on the line he’ll be doing everything he can to ensure victory at Anfield. Yossi Benayoun, who scored the goal at Santiago Bernabeu, will miss this match through injury, but the rest of the Reds squad should make up for his absence. Madrid, meanwhile, are looking to get over their disappointing derby day draw against Atletico Madrid and seek to book a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. It’ll be tough, it’ll be exciting, and I’m sure it’ll be a heated affair.
Prediction: After a disappointing loss at home, I think Real Madrid will rebound and win this one in extremely tight fashion. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Real progress after a 2-1 victory.
Regardless of who wins these fixtures, one thing is for sure: Tuesday will be an excellent festival of football!
Listen to Brian and Taylor discuss these fixtures during Episode 12 of the Premiership Talk Podcast, and check back tomorrow for a preview of Wednesday’s fixtures!
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Haha, in fairness I only got one wrong. Liverpool were actually extremely impressive. Gerrard and Torres were out of this world.
Got those slightly wrong ;)