Champions League preview part one

Arsenal vs. Roma

Arsene Wenger’s side hardly progressed through the group stages in style, just about fending off the challenge of Dynamo Kiev, but they have a more than decent Champions League pedigree in recent seasons and are slight favourites to progress from this tie.

In Robin van Persie the Premier League club probably have England’s most in-form forward at present and he’ll need to maintain his excellent standard of play if Arsenal are to advance. The Gunners midfield looks lightweight and up against the likes of Simone Perrotta and Daniele De Rossi, both established Italian internationals, they could struggle.

Roma topped Group A, which contained Chelsea, and their 3-1 routing of the English side was an impressive display. That said, they are equally prone to throwing in the odd shocker, as are their opponents, and it’s really hard to predict with any confidence just who will emerge successful.

If pressed, I’d have to go with the Italians at odds against to make it into the last eight but there should be plenty of goals whatever the outcome, despite Andrei Arshavin’s ineligibility, and, on paper at least, it looks a tie to savour.

To Qualify: Roma
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Atletico Madrid vs. Porto

Porto topped Arsenal’s group despite getting walloped 4-0 at The Emirates and they are a more than capable outfit despite clearly not possessing the talent that carried them to glory in this competition under Jose Mourinho.

Lisandro Lopez, Porto’s Argentine international, is likely to provide Atletico with most to think about over the two legs and his goals could prove the difference. Atletico are languishing in La Liga at present and, despite boasting a wonderful array of attacking talent, rarely convince they are a cohesive unit.

Atletico have been installed as favourites to reach the quarter-finals but following the departure of their coach Javier Aguirre after a poor run at the start of year things are certainly not that rosy and Porto, so terrific at home, look overpriced to embarrass their opponents.

Atletico rely heavily on the wonderfully gifted Sergio Aguero but he can’t do it all on his own and the big-spending Spanish club may well come up short once more.

To Qualify: Porto
2pts Back Porto to qualify @ 2.50 (Ladbrokes)

Inter Milan vs. Manchester United

No doubt a clash of the heavyweights and another fascinating duel in prospect between Jose Mourinho, the ex-Chelsea manager, and Sir Alex Ferguson.

United, the defending champions, of course, have really stepped up a notch since Christmas and their surge to the summit domestically is no surprise at all. They breezed through a weak looking group without breaking sweat in this competition and should welcome Wayne Rooney back in time for the trip to the San Siro.

Like United, Inter are clear at the top back home but their passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League was hardly routine, losing to both Panathinaikos and Werder Bremen along the way, and it remains to be seen whether or not they can cut it at the very highest level.

While the Red Devils are accustomed to top notch opposition more weeks than not, Serie A rarely provides Inter with much of a test and Fergie’s men will be a different proposition altogether.

At the time of the draw I thought this would be really tough for United but the more I look at the match-up the more I fancy their chances and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them stun Mourinho and his side with victory in the opening leg. United haven’t lost for what seems like an age in a European game and odds approaching 2/1 about them claiming a first leg advantage are an over reaction to the ‘Special One’ factor.

To Qualify: Man Utd
1pt Back Man Utd to win first leg @ 2.90 (Victor Chandler)

Lyon vs. Barcelona

There has been no bigger fan of Lyon over the past few years but I’ve started to sense they are slightly on the slide and they couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment. Their opponents in the last 16 are playing some of the best football I’ve witnessed for a long time and Barcelona are worthy favourites in the outright.

Josep Guardiola, the Barcelona coach, probably has the easiest job of any man in charge of those sides left in the competition and his instructions to an attacking trio as talented and instinctive as Messi, Henry and Eto’o are surely fairly limited. If that threesome fancy it then there’s probably not much any other team in the tournament can do to stop them and their form in La Liga has been sensational.

I expect Barcelona to take all the beating this season and I am surprised they are available to back at odds against to establish a first leg lead in France. Their opponents may be top domestically but have failed dominate as they have done in previous years and Claude Puel’s side must realise the writing is already on the wall.

To Qualify: Barcelona
2pts Back Barcelona to win first leg @ 2.10 (Betfred, Paddy Power)