The 2018-19 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with second leg of the round-of-16.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
James Sharman: PSG would love to throw the kitchen sink at Manchester United in France on Wednesday. However, the injury concerns that the French champs overcame to triumph 2-0 in the first leg still prevent manager Thomas Tuchel from using his full arsenal of attacking options, including Neymar. Not that it has mattered much, as Kylian Mbappe has scored in all five games since the loss of Neymar and Edinson Cavani.
Don’t expect Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to feel too sorry for PSG. Manchester United has been hammered by the injury bug, and might have to field a highly inexperienced side, particular in midfield. The good news is that we might get to see Tahith Chong – one of the best names in world football! – once again.
The first leg of this encounter handed Solskjaer his only defeat to date as United manager, a performance he said he was happy with. A heroic turnaround in Paris would surely guarantee the Norwegian the job on a full-time basis, but to be honest, he has probably earned it regardless of what happens on Wednesday.
Prediction: PSG wins 2-0 to advance 4-0 on aggregate.
AS ROMA vs. FC PORTO
Peter Galindo: Both sides enter this match coming off tough losses. Roma was hammered 3-0 by fierce rivals Lazio over the weekend, while Porto lost to Benfica and surrendered their lead atop the Primeira Liga in the process.
Even though Roma battered Porto in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico, that late away goal from the Portuguese champions still left them with a fighting chance.
However, they have to be wary of the flanks. The Giallorossi constantly exploited the Dragões out wide but wasteful finishing prevented them from widening their advantage.
Since both teams are strong on the wings, that will surely be where this game is won or lost.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw; Roma advances 3-2 on aggregate.
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TOTTENHAM vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Geoff Lowe: Both sides enter this round-of-16 second leg tie in pretty poor domestic form. Dortmund’s place atop the Bundesliga table ahead of Bayern Munich has shrunk to just a goal-difference lead, while Tottenham have dropped out of the Premier League title race.
Neither inspire much confidence to get a dominant result at the moment, meaning Wednesday’s match in Germany is very much in Tottenham’s favour after a stunning 3-0 win at Wembley in the first leg.
Expect Lucien Favre’s Dortmund to give it all they’ve got and possibly win the leg, but ultimately come up short.
Prediction: Dortmund wins 2-1; Tottenham advances 4-2 on aggregate
AJAX vs. REAL MADRID
Donnovan Bennett: The biggest question left in the Champions League is if Real Madrid will once again reach the quarterfinals, something they’ve done every year since the 2010-11 competition.
The defending champions have a 2-1 lead on aggregate Ajax, but they are not in good form, losing three of their last four games and are 12 points off the lead in La Liga.
Uncharacteristically, Real’s main issue is in front of goal. Cristiano Ronaldo was the team’s top scorer in the last six Champions League competitions. After nine years and a club record 450 goals, he completed a £99 million summer transfer to Juventus. Without a like-for-like replacement coming in, Real boast only three players who have scored more than five goals this campaign. One of those players is centre-back Sergio Ramos, but the Real captain will start a two-game ban due to his yellow card during the first leg.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw; Real Madrid advances 3-2 on aggregate.
