Possible round of 16 opponents for English clubs in the champions league
All four English teams in the champions league have qualified for the Round of 16, and we bring to you all the possible teams they are likely to face in the next round of the competition.
Goals from Christiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho gave Manchester United a desperately-needed victory and Liverpool also won their fifth group game on the trot. Chelsea on the other hand thrashed Juventus 4-0 whilst Manchester City came back from behind to beat Paris Saint Germain 2-1.
With the last 16 draw just a couple of weeks away, myactiveonline takes a look at which opponents United, City, Chelsea and Liverpool can expect to face in February.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s victory against PSG puts them on top of the group which literally means they will avoid Bayern Munich.
But the English champions could face any of the three teams in Liverpool’s group; Porto, AC Milan or Atletico, with just a point separating them in an all-to-play-for final round.
Real Madrid is currently top of Group D, but should they lose to Inter Milan in the final fixture, the Italians could leapfrog them into first.
Manchester City could also face a trip to Barcelona, and if Chelsea beat Zenit next month, a trip to Juventus too.
Teams Manchester City could draw: Porto/AC Milan/Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid/Inter Milan, Barcelona/Benfica, Villarreal/Atalanta, Lille/Red Bull Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg, Juventus
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s side was drawn in arguably the toughest group in the competition, but after five convincing wins from five games, they have carried their own fortunes.
Like Manchester City, finishing top means they avoid Bayern, who are probably their biggest non-English threat, but they could draw PSG.
Depending on results in the final round of fixtures, Liverpool could also face Real, Barca or Juventus, but after cruising through their group unscathed, the Reds probably won’t fear anyone.
Teams Liverpool could draw: PSG, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid/Inter Milan, Barcelona/Benfica, Villarreal/Atalanta, Lille/Red Bull Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg, Juventus.
Manchester United
Upon having a bad start to the season, the Red Devils managed to top their group, paving the way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement to hit the ground running when he arrives – whoever it may be.
Whereas the Red Devils are of a chance to meet tough ties like PSG, Real Madrid or Juventus, they are also on a neutral probability of meeting average sides like Sporting, Lille or Wolfsburg too.
Teams Man United could draw: PSG, Porto/AC Milan/Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid/Inter Milan, Barcelona/Benfica, Lille/Red Bull Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg, Juventus
Chelsea
As they haven’t guaranteed a top spot in their group, Chelsea could still face up to half of the competition in the next round.
The champions of Europe and current leaders of the Premier League have their fate depending on how they get on against Zenit in their final group game. Win and they’re top, but if Juventus better their result, the Blues could be drawn against Bayern Munich or the high-flying Ajax.
Given that the other three English sides that have won their groups, finishing second would limit Chelsea to just four possible opponents, but after Tuesday night’s showing, the Champions League champions are probably happy to face anyone.
Teams Chelsea could draw if they finish to of the group: PSG, Porto/AC Milan/Atletico Madrid, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid/Inter Milan, Barcelona/Benfica, Villarreal/Atalanta, Lille/Red Bull Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg.
Teams Chelsea could draw if they finish 2nd: Ajax, Real Madrid/Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Lille/Red Bull Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg.
By: Elisha Aberiganya | Follow us on Twitter @activtvgh
