What to Look Out for in the Champions League last 16?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Champions League Returns this Month
The last 16 of the 2023/24 Champions League begins this month with the first set of games being played on February 13 and 14. Eight ties will be played over two legs to determine just who will qualify for the quarter finals.
There are some great games to be played in the last 16. But which are the ones that are likely to be the most exciting and will we see any surprises? Remember to check all of our Champions League betting tips.
See the latest odds at bet365/ctaLink]
PSG Still Searching for First Title
Could 2023/24 be the season when PSG finally lift the Champions League trophy? It looks like being the final year for Kylian Mbappe at the club with a move to Real Madrid likely in the summer.
The French champions are again top of Ligue 1 despite a slow start to the season. They managed to negotiate their way through a Champions League group that included Borussia Dortmund(who take on PSV in this round), Milan and Newcastle United. That didn't look like it might happen after a 4-1 loss at Newcastle. They now face La Liga's Real Sociedad in the last 16 with the home first leg on February 14. It's a tie they should be able to win but PSG do need to improve their away form in Europe. Only one point was earned from three away games in the group stages and that has to get better.
Real Sociedad won their group ahead of Inter, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg without being beaten. Three of their six games ended in a draw and they didn't concede a goal on their travels. All the Champions League betting odds are available on our site.
City on a Winning Run
Manchester City are the defending champions of Europe and it's a title they don't want to lose. They won all six of their group matches scoring 18 goals. That was achieved without the services of Kevin De Bruyne but he's back now as is Erling Haaland who's also been out injured. City have added the World title to their European crown and are on one of those runs that makes them so difficult to beat. Their last nine games in all competitions have been won with 27 goals scored.
The last 16 begins for them on February 13 with a first leg away at surprise qualifiers Copenhagen. The Danes finished second in their group being Bayern Munich (who they drew with in Germany) but ahead of Galatasaray and Manchester United. They only won two of their group games with eight goals scored (the same number conceded) and no wins on the road. It'd be a massive surprise if they can knock out Manchester City.
Can Kane Lead Bayern Munich to Glory?
There are only two English clubs in the last 16 of the Champions League. Arsenal are the other team through and should progress against Porto. England's captain Harry Kane now plays for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and has made a great impact in his first season with them.
Bayern won their group with five wins and a draw against Copenhagen. All three of their away fixtures were won and they now face Lazio in the last 16 with the first leg being played in Italy on February 14.
The Serie A side are only ninth in their league and already lost eight games. They played Bayern in the Champions League three years ago and lost both of those games. Another tough time lies ahead of them in this tie.
Barcelona Back in the Knockout Stages
After failing to do so in the past two seasons, Barcelona have made it into the knockout stages of the Champions League. The La Liga team finished top of Group G ahead of Porto on head-to-head results. They did lose two of their six matches away at Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp. All three home games were won with nine goals being scored. Barca now face Napoli with the first leg in Italy on February 21.
Napoli are only seventh in Serie A and the defending champions are 22 places off top spot. They were second behind Real Madrid in Group C but eight points behind top spot. They'll be looking for a good first leg and this is a tie that could go either way.
They are one of four Spanish sides in the last 16. Real Madrid take on RB Leipzig, Atletico Madrid have a tricky game against Inter and Real Sociedad face PSG. Remember to access our Champions League livescore for all the news and updated statistics.
Odds to win the Champions League
- Manchester City - odds of 2.87
- Bayern Munich - odds of 5.00
- Real Madrid - odds of 6.50
- Arsenal - odds of 6.50
- PSG - odds of 13.00
- Inter - odds of 17.00
- Barcelona - odds of 19.00
Odds from bet365
