Mr Igboanu Walter is a student of the University of Benin, studying Mass Communication. He is an Arsenal who loves soccer a lot. His love for soccer has made him write a lot of articles about one team or the other without any iota of bias.
This week is known for great matches. Here, we are talking about the round of sixteen of UEFA Champions League. Mr Igboanu Walter has decided to give his predictions on the teams that we qualify for the next round. These predictions can also by the Bet9ja lovers to choose their games rightly.
OK, let's get down to what we have been waiting for; Igboanu Walter's predictions.
UCL: ROUND OF SIXTEEN PREDICTION
So, here we are, back to enthralling, action-packed midweeks once more as Europe's biggest competition, the UEFA Champions League, returns today after a two-month hiatus. Goal Lagos, has decided to give an unprofessional analysis of the top match-ups as well as a prediction of the teams likely to make it into the next round. You're a football lover? Stick around!
Manchester United vs PSG
Arguably one of the standout contests at the stage of the competition, the clash between these two European heavyweights promises intrigue, fascination and most importantly, action. When the draw pitting these teams against each other was made late last year, football neutrals and even fans of Manchester United already had only one possible outcome in mind. Two months on and with the galvanizing arrival of Ole Solksjaer, those fans can be forgiven for being pessimistic.
United are currently on an eleven-match unbeaten streak, with ten of those matches being victories. As such the french team would have to be at their flowing best to get something from this encounter. Injury to star man, Neymar Jr, apparently came ill-timed, but news of attacker, Edison Cavani likely missing out from this contest with an hamstring knock leaving teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappe to solely carry the attacking burden could prove ultimately jeopardizing.
With Psg struggling to win their last two matches convincingly, and United firing on all cylinders, we might be in for quite a gusty one here.
Prediction - Manchester United to advance.
Lyon vs Barcelona
Barcelona have historically had the luck of being paired against less threatening sides in knockout stages of this competition. However, it would be foolhardy to think of the club from the south of France as a walk over. Memories of the match against Roma last year where the Italian outfit opposed all odds to dump the Spanish giants should still be fresh, but in as much as Lyon would want to put up a good fight and stake a claim as a club who managed to take points off Manchester City, this hurdle just might be too huge for them. Although they sit third in ligue one, their form has been far from convincing, and their defence which has shipped a league high 27 goals shouldn't be a problem for the egregious Lionel Messi and Co.
Prediction: Barcelona to advance
Ajax vs Real Madrid
The resounding applause that followed Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat of city rivals Atletico Madrid in a hotly contested derby during the weekend shows that Los Blancos have finally regained the trust of their supporters. In a season of upheavals that has seen exceptional attacker, C. Ronaldo depart for Juventus, and Spanish gaffer, Julen Lopetugui sacked twice in a year, Real Madrid has finally ridden the storm and are starting to show their real mettle.
The appointment of Solari, coinciding with the emergence of attacking prodigy, Vinicius Junior has catapulted the club from a erstwhile miserly position of 8th to 2nd in the Spanish la Liga and in all fairness, Ajax don't seem the team capable of halting this stride. The Dutch team were invincible during the first half of the season, winning 90% of their matches, but have struggled to replicate similar form since the end of the winter break. A sole victory against lowly Venlo was sandwiched between an ignominious 6-2 defeat to Feyenoord and a 1-0 defeat to 16th placed Heracles, to all but put PSV in the driving seat to retain the league, and if they cannot hold themselves in a relatively less competitive league, how would they be able to shackle the Spanish giants?
Prediction: Madrid to advance
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Battling UnitedPsg for the biggest match of this knockout stage, the inevitably attacking ingenuity that should be on display in this contest between the English and German title hopefuls should provide enough gloss to football followers around the world. Both teams sit on second place in their respective leagues and know victory at this stage would go a long way in bolstering confidence as the gravitating end-of-season ride approaches. The onus should be on Liverpool, however, both as incumbent runners-up and in their desire to finally lift a trophy and eschew the unpleasant identity of also-rans that has clung to the team.
Since Klopp's appointment three years ago, he's had the unenviable record of being to three finals and finishing second on each occasion. And while credit must be given to the German tactician for transforming the club's status, imbuing team confidence and building an atmosphere of security that had been initially inexistent, especially among lower teams, much focus should still be placed on his ability to get the job done.
Bayern Munich won't be an easy opponent. The German club on the tutelage of Niko Kovac, has begun the gradual transition from the direct, flanky football characterized by veterans, Arjen Robben and Ribery to a much more flowing mix of flair, pace and guile offered by the precocious duo of Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman. With a place in the quarterfinals at stake, plus the realization that the club has failed to get past the semi-final stages since 2012, winning the double headers against Liverpool would be a club high priority. Both teams have huge attacking potential, but with Liverpool having discovered a new found tenacity and defensive doggedness, I expect them to see this one through, closely.
Prediction: Liverpool to advance
Having read his predictions, easily make your bet. Thanks for reading.
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