UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Predictions Including Liverpool vs Galatasaray

The second-leg slate that will complete the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 promises as many questions as answers when the four remaining ties are settled on Wednesday. After Tuesday’s drama sketched the first half of the quarter-final bracket, the spotlight swings to Spain, England, Germany and Turkey where aggregate deficits, mounting injuries and fluctuating domestic form will decide who advances.

Barcelona vs Newcastle United, Olympic Stadium, aggregate 1-1 Barcelona departed Tyneside frustrated after a late-leveler left the tie on a knife-edge, and although the LaLiga giants followed up with a 5-2 rout of Sevilla, the casualty ward has not cleared. Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong remain unavailable, forcing Xavi to juggle a back line that will be asked to contain a Newcastle side that shocked Chelsea at the weekend and welcomes back winger Anthony Gordon. Eddie Howe’s squad is likewise depleted—Fabian Schär and Bruno Guimarães are still out—yet the Magpies’ defensive rigidity on the road in Europe this season keeps belief alive. Barça’s superior squad depth and home comfort should tip the balance, but expect a tight affair if Newcastle can nick an early away goal.

Prediction: Barcelona 3-2 Newcastle (Barcelona through 4-3 on aggregate)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Atlético Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, aggregate 0-3 Antonin Kinsky’s calamitous quarter-hour in Madrid last week left Spurs with a mountain few expect them to climb, especially with Richarlison suspended and a six-man injury list that includes Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Betancur and likely defensive stalwarts Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie. Interim boss Igor Tudor, who coaxed a late draw from Liverpool on Sunday, must decide whether to gamble or protect legs for a relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest. Atlético, masters of protecting leads under Diego Simeone, anticipate welcoming Antoine Griezmann back into a largely unchanged squad. A single away strike would end the tie as a contest; even without it, Atlético’s disciplined block should frustrate a makeshift Spurs attack.

Prediction: 1-1 draw (Atlético progress 6-3 on aggregate)

Liverpool vs Galatasaray, Anfield, aggregate 0-1 The headline tie of the night sees Liverpool attempt to overturn a slender deficit after a shock loss in Istanbul. Jürgen Klopp’s side, held by Tottenham domestically and sweating on a top-four finish, must balance all-out assault with the knowledge that Galatasaray arrive on a five-match winning streak. The visitors will be without suspended centre-back Davinson Sánchez, offering Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai a channel to exploit. Brazilian newcomer Gabriel Sara is set to anchor the Turkish champions’ midfield, while manager Okan Buruk’s game-plan will revolve around soaking up pressure and striking on the break. With away goals no longer a tie-breaker, a single Liverpool strike levels the contest; if Galatasaray score, the hosts must win by two or prevail from the spot.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 (Liverpool advance on penalties)

Bayern Munich vs Atalanta, Allianz Arena, aggregate 6-2 The only tie that feels decided. Bayern’s 6-1 blitz in Bergamo has turned the return leg into an exercise in damage limitation for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who nevertheless showed resilience in drawing 1-1 with Inter at the weekend. Bayern will rest stars—Harry Kane may only feature briefly—while Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise serve yellow-card bans. The intrigue centres on whether 16-year-old American goalkeeper Leonard Prescott will be handed a shock debut after a spate of injuries to Manuel Neuer and back-ups. Atalanta, missing Giacomo Raspadori, are expected to rotate as well, but their primary objective is restoring pride and avoiding another hiding that could dent Serie A confidence.

Prediction: Bayern 4-2 (Bayern cruise 10-3 on aggregate)

With quarter-final berths at stake, Wednesday’s programme offers everything from a dead rubber to a potential penalty shoot-out, ensuring the Champions League soundtrack will reverberate well into the spring.