UEFA Champions League 2013: Round of 16 Second-Leg Matchup Predictions

Nick Akerman@NakermanX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistMarch 4, 2013

UEFA Champions League 2013: Round of 16 Second-Leg Matchup Predictions

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    The second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 presents tough tasks for a number of teams.

    Real Madrid travel to Manchester. Milan journey to Barcelona. Arsenal and Celtic head into mainland Europe with impossible missions. Other ties are balanced precariously as everything is up for grabs across the second half of these enticing fixtures.

    Who will take the spoils?

    Considering first-leg results, recent form and injuries, let's take some time to preview and predict these important clashes.

Manchester United vs. Real Madrid

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    Tuesday, March 5, 2:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester United

    Old Trafford will be ready to erupt on Tuesday night.

    Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League leaders host a Real Madrid side that is in sparkling form. Two wins against Barcelona in two matches see the Spanish outfit travel to England with huge confidence. Most notably, Jose Mourinho appears to have his swagger back.

    Both teams are likely to attack and will be confident in racking up a decent array of goals. United will struggle under huge pressure if they concede early, as a second away goal for Madrid could kill the tie.

    Danny Welbeck's header at the Bernabeu—plus a couple of huge chances for Robin van Persie—suggests the Red Devils have a real shot at overcoming the threat of the La Liga side.

    This will be an emotional night. Not only is Cristiano Ronaldo returning to his former club for the first time, but Ryan Giggs is set to notch up his 1,000th career appearance in front of an adoring crowd (via The Daily Mail).

    Expect goals, drama and perhaps a Mourinho sprint up the touchline.

    Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Real Madrid (United win 4-3 on aggregate)

    Result: Manchester United 1-2 Real Madrid (Madrid win 3-2 on aggregate)

Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

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    Tuesday, March 5, 2:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Borussia Dortmund

    Away goals could be vital in this fixture. While Dortmund had the better of the first leg in Ukraine, the reigning Bundesliga champions will be content with two goals in an exciting match.

    Mats Hummels' late header put Jurgen Klopp's side in a great position to finish the job. Unfortunately, the much-admired defender could be forced to remain on the sidelines after missing the last two matches with the flu (via Goal.com).

    Despite continued speculation that Robert Lewandowski will be leaving in the summer (via Sky Sports), Dortmund's players will need to be on point against a Shakhtar side that is used to converting chances.

    Willian may have left in January, but Shakhtar still pack plenty of firepower. Darijo Srna and Douglas Costa scored delicious goals in the first leg—both of which were against the run of play.

    Mircea Lucescu's squad will arrive with an attacking mindset and must capitalise on any opportunity to keep themselves in the tie, but expect them to come up short against a dangerous Dortmund team.

    Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Dortmund win 5-3 on aggregate)

    Result: Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Dortmund win 5-2 on aggregate)

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Valencia

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    Wednesday, March 6, 2:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Valencia 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

    PSG nearly enjoyed the perfect night at the Mestalla. The big-spending French side were seemingly cruising into the second leg with a 2-0 win until Adil Rami was left unmarked in the box during injury time.

    Minutes later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic received a crucial red card after clocking up two reckless tackles in the space of seconds. The influential Swede is suspended for PSG's next two Champions League fixtures and will sit out the Valencia return leg alongside Marco Verratti, who picked up a vital booking in Spain. Could David Beckham replace the influential Italian?

    This encounter is far tighter than it should be. Carlo Ancelotti's team outplayed Valencia in the first leg and should be comfortable heading into the second fixture. One defensive lapse and an individual error was all it took to give Valencia a chance.

    The visitors have only lost one match in their last seven and will be confident of an upset in the French capital. Of course, the PSG circus recently lost 1-0 away to Reims and will be under pressure to advance in the Champions League.

    Nonetheless, here's predicting a victory for the home side.

    Prediction: PSG 2-1 Valencia (PSG win 4-2 on aggregate)

    Result: PSG 1-1 Valencia (PSG win 3-2 on aggregate)

Juventus vs. Celtic

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    Wednesday, March 6, 2:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Celtic 0-3 Juventus

    Celtic face an impossible task. The Scottish outfit may have conquered Barcelona in the group stage, but Neil Lennon's team were demolished 3-0 in their opening Round of 16 tie with Juventus.

    In fact, the Italian champions have room to field a weakened side. Goals from Alessandro Matri, Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic ensure Celtic have to net four strikes without reply against the Italian champions. Juve have only conceded a quartet of goals in their last seven matches.

    Still, Lennon can take his side to Turin with little to lose. A result on the night would be an excellent feat for the Hoops and could round off a fantastic European campaign on a high.

    Prediction: Juventus 3-0 Celtic (Juventus win 6-0 on aggregate)

    Result: Juventus 2-0 Celtic (Juventus win 5-0 on aggregate)

Schalke vs. Galatasaray

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    Tuesday, March 12, 3:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Galatasaray 1-1 Schalke

    World press will focus on Didier Drogba for Galatasaray's visit to Germany, especially after the Ivorian scored a pretty important goal on his last visit to the country.

    I believe the form of Burak Yilmaz is more important to the Turkish side. Although the duo linked well in the first leg, Yilmaz's sharp finishing ability has seen him rack up seven goals in seven Champions League appearances this season.

    Schalke will be confident ahead of the second leg. Jermaine Jones' lovely equaliser at the Turk Telecom Arena puts the Germans in poll position with a crucial away goal. The match will offer Jens Keller's team—who have only won two games from their last six Bundesliga matches—an opportunity to kick into a stint of form.

    Galatasaray haven't been particularly impressive in Europe this year. The signings of Drogba and Wesley Sneijder could make all the difference now that their fitness has improved. If the big names are to earn their wages, they will have to silence a Veltins Arena that will be bouncing with anticipation.

    Prediction: Schalke 2-1 Galatasaray (Schalke win 3-2 on aggregate)

Barcelona vs. Milan

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    Tuesday, March 12, 3:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Milan 2-0 Barcelona

    In arguably the performance of the round, a youthful Milan dismantled Barcelona via a hard-working display at the San Siro.

    The Spanish titans were never given time to settle into the passing football we've all come to expect over the trophy-laden years. Massimiliano Allegri drilled his team into frustrating La Liga's imminent champions in a game that was the catalyst for Barca's recent downfall.

    Two losses to Real Madrid later, the Camp Nou will enter this one slightly on edge. Barcelona are more than capable of overturning the 2-0 deficit. We know players such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi can thrust the Catalans into the quarterfinal if they turn on the style.

    Even so, Barcelona caretaker manager Jordi Roura doesn't have the same influence as Tito Vilanova. Simple things continue to go wrong for his defence, as players such as Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique look significantly off colour.

    Milan have a decent lead to defend. Should the Rossoneri stick or twist?

    Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Milan (aggregate scoreline 3-3; Milan win on away goals)

Malaga vs. Porto

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    Wednesday, March 13, 3:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Porto 1-0 Malaga

    Malaga's unbeaten Champions League run came to an end in Portugal.

    Joao Moutinho scored the only goal of a game that was largely dominated by the home side. Vitor Pereira's team found it difficult to break down a resolute Malaga defence and will be glad to have nicked the opening goal of the tie.

    Equally as important is Malaga's failure to net an away strike. Manuel Pelligrini's team offered little in attack and will set up more offensively in front of home support.

    Isco remains their most likely route of success after scoring two goals and providing two assists in five Champions League games this season. All eyes will be on the 20-year-old who is rumoured to be on Chelsea's summer wish list (via The Express).

    Both teams will fancy a win in one of the round's most open ties. The storyline is yet to be written here, but it will take a huge performance from Malaga to keep their guests from scoring.

    Prediction: Malaga 1-1 Porto (Porto win 2-1 on aggregate)

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal

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    Wednesday, March 13, 3:45 p.m. ET

    First Leg: Arsenal 1-3 Bayern Munich

    By the time Arsenal travel to the Allianz Arena, Arsene Wenger's men could be the final British club in the competition. 

    The Gunners' season is heading toward turmoil after a 2-1 loss to neighbours Tottenham. Right now, Wenger's side are unlikely to automatically qualify for the Champions League and will need to sustain their European run to receive a boost of confidence.

    Such a triumph would be historic.

    Munich outclassed the Londoners in the first leg and never came close to losing at the Emirates. Lukas Podolski's consolation goal was a tad fortuitous and represented the best of Arsenal's luck across the past few weeks.

    Unfortunately, goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic mean Arsenal must attack relentlessly. Bayern will be confident of exploiting any space on the counter and securing a few more goals in front of a crowd that yearns for Champions League victory.

    Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Arsenal (Bayern win 6-2 on aggregate)

    Do you agree with my predictions? Who will advance to the next round of the Champions League? Let me know in the comments section below and be sure to follow me on Twitter:

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