The Champions League returns this week with the first round of last 16 ties taking place over the next two nights. Here are the last 16 first legs ties that are taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday
Manchester United v PSG (Kick-off 8 PM)
Manchester United host PSG at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, in arguably one of the most fascinating last 16 ties.
The home side may have looked at this as a daunting tie under former boss Jose Mourinho. However, ten wins from 11 matches under temporary boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will send the Red Devils into this clash in high spirits.
United’s recent Champions League record is inconsistent, but two wins from their last five matches in Europe’s elite competition is not a great one. The Red Devils have also won just one of their last four matches at Old Trafford in the Champions League.
PSG are once again dominating Ligue One and head into this game undefeated in their last five Champions League games, having won their last two matches in Europe’s elite competition. The visitors most recent games have been high-scoring entertaining affairs, with over 2.5 goals scored in 20 of their 21 outings in Europe’s elite competition.
The big-spending French club has a poor record of late on their travels in this competition, winning just once in five outings in Europe’s elite competition.
PSG have also won just one Champions League from ten in their visits to English clubs. The French side will be looking to improve that record at Old Trafford. However, Manchester United heads into this clash as favourites to record a victory to take into the second leg in Paris.
Wednesday
Tottenham v Dortmund (Kick-off 8 PM)
Tottenham scraped through to the last 16 by picking up a 1-1 draw at Catalan giants Barcelona in gameweek 6. Despite a poor start to their European campaign, Spurs are now unbeaten in four matches in this competition.
Spurs have a relatively good home record in the Champions League of late, having won six of their last eight games on home soil. Tottenham have also been prolific in recent home games in this competition, scoring at least twice in six of their last eight games in Europe’s elite competition on home soil.
Dortmund are enjoying an excellent season under Swiss boss Lucien Favre, who has guided BVB to the top of the Bundesliga table. He also helped the German side finish top of their Champions League group.
Dortmund won four of their six group games to set up this tie, including hammering Spanish giants Atletico Madrid 4-0. The German side will certainly fancy their chances of making it to the last eight.
One negative for the visitors is their recent away form in the Champions League, as they have won just two of their last nine away games in the competition. However, both of those away wins have been in their last three matches on their travels in Europe.
Their recent away games in Europe’s elite competition have been relatively low scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five away matches. This game may follow suit with neither side willing to open up too much in the first leg.
This week’s other Champions League games
Roma v Porto (Tuesday, Kick-off 8 PM)
Ajax v Real Madrid (Wednesday, Kick-off 8 PM)
Who will record vital first leg results in the last 16 of the Champions League?
