Champions League Last 16 Predictions: Part 1 of the 2nd Leg

TUESDAY:

BENFICA V CLUB BRUGGE

It was a comfortable win for Benfica in the first leg where they should've won by a lot more with the amount of chances they had. But they still took the ones that mattered and are ahead in this tie because of that. Bring at home for this second leg will give them confidence along with the lead they have in this tie.

Mistakes cost Club Brugge in the first leg where they offered very little going forward. They can't afford to make the mistakes they made at this level and especially in the knockout stages as the competition gets serious at this stage.

It's been a tough start for Scott Parker at the Belgian champions with the former Fulham and Bournemouth manager winning just two of his games in charge. His appointment did raise some eyebrows and Parker himself isn't sure whether he'll still be in charge after this game.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I'm backing Benfica to finish the job here and win this tie because they'll have more than enough quality to do so. Being ahead in the tie and being at home for this 2nd leg will obviously help but with the calibre of players they have compared to Brugge they should still see themselves through.

CHELSEA V BORUSSIA DORTMUND

It was a much improved performance from Chelsea against Leeds at the weekend but whether it will be a turning point in their season remains to be seen. The result as well as the performance will give them confidence but I'm not sure they'll follow it up because of their lack of cutting edge up top.

They had a number of good chances in the first leg but as usual they couldn't take them. They might fancy their chances of turning the tie in their favour as they're only a goal down and with the 2nd leg of this tie being at home. But because of their struggles in front of goal this season, their chances may be very slim.

Borussia Dortmund have kept up their fine form in 2023 since winning the first leg through a Karim Adeyemi solo goal. They've won every game since the turn of the year and will head into this leg like they did the first with a lot of confidence.

They don't have a good record away from home against English teams though and it's something they'll want to put right. Having the advantage in this tie will help them with that as it will give them something to build on as will their current form.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Dortmund to see themselves through here because they're in much better form. Their away record against English teams may be poor but I think they'll put it right in this one with the form they've been in recently.

WEDNESDAY:

BAYERN MUNICH V PSG

Bayern Munich were dominant for much of the first leg but didn't make the most of their dominance until Kingsley Coman gave them the advantage in the tie. They had to hold on in the final moments and did just enough to hold on to the lead they had.

They'll be the favourites to go through from this tie as they have the advantage and are at home for this 2nd leg. Both will give them confidence heading into this one as the lead will give them something to build on and with them being at home, they'll have the crowd behind them to push them all the way.

PSG will be without Neymar for this 2nd leg through injury and he is also likely to miss the rest of the season. This is a familiar story for the French champions because he's been injured at his stage of the competition in the past. The outcome has always been a Champions League exit for PSG.

The pressure will be on Christophe Galtier in this game with reports saying that PSG are looking for a new manager to replace him. PSG's form has been inconsistent since the turn of the year and if his side don't make it through to the next round he could be sacked soon.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Bayern to see themselves through here because I think they'll have enough to see themselves through. They'll add to their lead with the quality they have in their side and with PSG not having Neymar available, Bayern should have enough here.

TOTTENHAM V AC MILAN

Spurs will have Antonio Conte back on the touchline for this game after the Italian returned to work this week after recovering surgery. The team did ok under Christian Stellini but having Conte back in the dugout will be a massive boost as they have big end to the season ahead of them.

They didn't have many clear cut chances in the first leg despite having a lot of the ball. They'll need to make the most of it in this one if they're to reach the Quarter Finals as they're a goal down in the tie. They simply need to go for it here.

AC Milan weren't that convincing in the first leg but they still got the job done and are leading the tie by just a goal. They looked solid defensively but going forward they wasted some good chances. Those missed chances could come back to bite them in this leg.

The season itself hasn't been a convincing one for Milan considering their performances and where they were last season. They have got themselves back in the hunt for a top four finish in Serie A recently but Stefano Pioli's side are still not the team they were last season.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I think Milan will see themselves through but I don't see them winning this leg. They'll have enough defensively to hold on for a result but I don't see them being in clinical in the final third. Spurs are a side that are difficult to work out and I can see another flat performance from them here.