Champions League Predictions: Who’s Going Through?

By: Daryl | February 23rd, 2009

It’s been a looong wait, but the Champions League finally returns tomorrow.

And it’s got some biiig clashes. The sort that necessitate the overuse of elongated vowels.

The Special One vs Mr Alex? Check. Claudio Ranieri’s revenge mission against Chelsea? Check. Liverpool vs Real Madrid? Check, and the winner (possibly) gets Rafa Benitez’s signature on a contract. Arsenal’s pretty football vs Roma’s pretty football? Check check.

So, two big questions. Assuming you’re neutral (because we can’t all support Champions League teams), which game are you most looking forward to?

And more importantly… who do you predict will make it to the quarterfinals?

For my money (and I’m assuming everyone else’s) Man Utd vs Inter is the game to watch this week. Not just because the Fergie vs Mourinho thing goes all the way back to Porto’s win at Old Trafford in 2005 (which is basically what made The Special One so very special) but also because these two look uncatchable in their domestic leagues right now. Plus it’s a proper Champions League game, in that both teams are actual league champions (and current runaway league leaders, I might add).

Rob has a CL Offside preview of all Tuesday’s games here, and the ladies at Habs Offside offer their own special preview here.

Below are my quick picks for who’s going through:

Atlético vs Porto – Porto
Atlético have just one win in their last eight games, recently changed managers, and their star player is currently getting about three hours sleep per night.

Lyon vs Barcelona - Barcelona
Yes, they lost the Catalan derby. But they’re still the best team in the world right now (as voted by Offside bloggers)

Arsenal vs Roma - Roma
No Arshavin for Arsenal (cup tied), no recent goals, and too many big guns recovering from injuries.

Internazionale vs Man. United – Man United
Everything just seems to be going right for Alex Ferguson’s men this year. Even when they don’t deserve it.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool – Real Madrid
Slowly but surely, The Special Juan is putting Real Madrid back together, while Rafa’s Liverpool are starting to fall apart.

Chelsea vs Juventus – Chelsea
I’d love to see Claudio Ranieri prove his old paymasters wrong. But Guus Hiddink is the king of tournament football.

Villarreal vs Panathinaikos – Villarreal
Can’t claim to be overfamiliar with Panathinaikos, but think it’s fair to say that Spanish La Liga > The Super League Greece, especially over two legs.

Sporting vs Bayern – Bayern
Bayern’s title challenge is slipping, but with the second leg at home, Jurgen Klinsmann will get them through to the last eight.

Basically, I see an end to the English dominance of the last two seasons, with only Man Utd and Chelsea making the quarter-finals. And that would definitely be a good thing for the Champions League balance of power.

Barcelona are current favourites with the bookies, and you can drop money on individual games via our special Bet Offside Champions League page.

Or if you don’t like betting money, you can just gamble with your pride by making predictions in the comments section.

Which eight teams do you predict will make it?

Atlético vs Porto
Lyon vs Barcelona
Arsenal vs Roma
Internazionale vs Man. United
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Chelsea vs Juventus
Villarreal vs Panathinaikos
Sporting vs Bayern