German side, Bayer Leverkusen will have a tough test when they face Barcelona at the Bay arena tonight, Barcelona haven't lost in 13 games in the Champions League so Bayer will surely be up against it. It was no question who came out the group the easier, Barcelona winning their group by 7 points beating Italian side, Ac Milan to top spot. Bayer Leverkusen however, only just scraped through beating Valencia to 2nd spot by 2 points. Relying on a 3-0 win for Chelsea against Valencia to send them through to the, round of 16. Both sides will also be quick to forget the weekend's results, Bayer going down 1-0 at league leaders, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona's difficult task of retaining La liga got harder as they went down 3-2 at Osasuna allowing Real Madrid to open up a 3 point gap.
The other game Tuesday night see's Apoel Nicosia become the first Cypriot side to play in the knockout stages of the Champions league when they take on Lyon at the Stade de gerland. Lyon only just made it into the Round of 16 on goal difference gaining a 7-1 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb to beat Ajax it 2nd spot in the group. Apoel managed to win their group knocking out, Shaktar Donetsk and Fc Porto, sides that had been regularly in Champions League Knockout phases in the last few years. They also beat Zenit to top spot despite losing their final group game 2-0 to Shaktar.
Wednesday night see's one of only two English clubs left in the competition, Arsenal take on Ac Milan at the San Siro. Arsenal will hope the Champions League will give them a chance of Silverware this season however they will have to repeat the heroics of 4 years ago when they reached the last 8 by defeating Ac Milan 2-0 at the San Siro. Ac Milan on the other hand will be hoping they can put one over on Arsenal after that result of 4 years ago. Arsenal managed to win their Champions’ League group beating Marseille to top spot. Ac Milan however were dealt a difficult draw finish second to Barcelona after the Spanish side won all but one of their group games.
The other fixture Wednesday night is Zenit v Benfica, Zenit had to settle for second in their group following Apoel winning it on goal difference. Benfica however beat Manchester United and Basel to top spot winning the group by 1 point.
Verdict
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Both sides will want to forget about their weekend results, so this tie will be great to redeem them. Bayer Leverkusen should be looking out for the win having home advantage as they will need some kind of advantage going into the nou camp in a few weeks time. Bayer will also have to keep the Barcelona midfield quiet if they are to stand any chance of winning the game
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Barcelona
Lyon v Apoel.
Lyon will be quick to forget their 2-1 home defeat to Caen at the weekend and will be hoping the Champions League can provide an escape from the French league. And the hosts will think they have no better of making it through to the quarter finals playing newbie’s however the pressure could get to them. Apoel on the other hand will need to use their fighting sprit they used to get this far, an away goal will be vital
If they want to stand, a good chance of going through to the last 8.
Prediction: Lyon 2-1 Apoel.
AC Milan v Arsenal.
Both gaining 2-1 road wins at the weekend both sides will be keen to follow to with a victory. Ac Milan will hope to take their league form into the game and will be reliant on Champions League veteran, Zlatan Ibrahimovic to help them beat the Gunners. Arsenal on the other hand, will be relying on RVP to provide them with attack power and they should go all out attacking in order to get an away goal to make it that bit easier for when they come to the Emarites in a few weeks.
Prediction: Ac Milan 1-1 Arsenal.
Zenit v Benfica.
Benfica will need to bring their league form into the difficult trip to Russia to take on Zenit. They can hope Rodrigo will be on target again following a brace against Nacional in a 4-1 win. Zenit will much fancied in the first tie with a long trip to Russia coupled with freezing temperatures not being the most convenient for the Portuguese side. Zenit will be hoping these factors will prove dividend in deciding the outcome of the fixture.
Prediction: Zenit 2-0 Benfica.
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