Hey y’all. Its the Round of 16 in the Champions League. We are in the knockout stages of the competition where its score more goals or go home. Here’s what that means.
Round of 16 Rules
- The Round of 16 is made up of the group winners and runners up from the 8 groups in the Champions League group stages.
- The teams play two games, with each team playing one game at home
- Group winners host their second game in the round of 16
- The team that scores more goals over the two game advances to the next round
- If the score at the end of both games is tied, the away-goals rule is applied (the away-rule is simple, who scored the most goals away from home)
Champions League games on Tuesday, March 8th
Bayern Munich v Red Bull Salzburg
Where: Allianz Arena
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
Bayern need to win this match and playing at home would usually guarantee that, but the Allianz hasn’t been a fortress this season, and there’s always a chance that Salzburg can pull off the upset. Even though Bayern hasn’t looked as dominant at points this season, its hard to pick Salzburg to beat Bayern on the road in an elimination game.
PREDICTION : BAYERN 2 – SALZBURG 0; BAYERN ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND
Liverpool v Inter Milan
Where: Anfield
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
Liverpool are at home and need to avoid losing by 3 to make it to the next round. Its highly unlikely that Liverpool would lose at home, and even more unlikely that they would lose by three. Inter will have some attacking moments but overall Liverpool should have a comfortable night and advance to the quarterfinals.
PREDICTION : LIVERPOOL 2 – INTER 1; LIVERPOOL ADVANCING TO THE NEXT ROUND
Champions League games on Wednesday, March 9th
Manchester City v Sporting Portugal
Where: The Ethiad
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
Manchester City doesn’t take nights off but this is the closest that they will get to one. Neither team has much to play for in this game after City won the first game 5-0, so don’t expect a lot of fireworks from either team. City are still City though so they will try to score goals and win this game.
PREDICTION : MANCHESTER CITY 2 – SPORTING PORTUGAL 0; MANCHESTER CITY ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND
Real Madrid v Paris St. Germain
Where: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
This matchup has the most on the line for both clubs. This game probably decides where Kylian Mbappe plays next reason and probably clarifies the coaching situation of both clubs also. This is before we get to whether or not Mbappe is actually going to play in this game after picking up an ankle injury in training and missing the weekend. Who knows if he plays or not but PSG winning away from home against Real Madrid would be a tough task for this group with everyone fit. With Mbappe not healthy enough to deliver the magic, Real Madrid can sneak into the next round.
PREDICTION : REAL MADRID 2 – PSG 0; REAL MADRID ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND
