What you need to know as UEFA Champions League returns for last-16 matches
European soccer's biggest annual tournament is back again this week.
The UEFA Champions League returns to action with the second week of its knockout stages after a thrilling first week of round-of-16 action.
Last week, Manchester City defeated Copenhagen, 3-1, and Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig, 1-0. Both victorious teams were playing as the away team and will have a chance to secure a spot in the final eight at home to begin March.
In addition, PSG defeated Real Sociedad at home, 2-0, and Lazio took down Bayern Munich, 1-0, as massive underdogs at home. Sociedad and Bayern will need strong showings in their home fixtures to advance.
This features the remaining games in the round of 16's first leg: PSV Eindhoven of the Dutch Eredivisie host Dortmund of the Bundesliga; Serie A's Inter Milan host La Liga's Atlético Madrid; Portuguese Premeira Liga's F.C. Porto host Arsenal of the Premier League; and Serie A's Napoli hosts La Liga's F.C. Barcelona.
Here's what to know ahead of the 2023-24 Champions League's last-16 matches.
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UEFA Champions League: Predictions for Feb. 20 matches
PSV vs. Dortmund predictions
The Sporting News: Dortmund 2, PSV 1
Kyle Bonn writes, "Dortmund are in good form at the moment, and while this matchup has the potential for chaos, it's hard to look past the stronger side at such solid moneyline odds."
Action Network: Take PSV to win
Brad Cunningham writes, "Dortmund have two options here in the first leg. They can try to build out of the back against PSV's intense high pressing, in which they will probably make a lot of mistakes, or they can send the ball long and concede control of the match to the home side... I have PSV projected as a pretty significant favorite here, so I love the value on them."
Inter Milan vs. Atlético Madrid predictions
Pickswise: Inter Milan to win
Aaron Ashley writes, "[Inter] look like real contenders this term and they head into Tuesday’s last 16 clash with Atletico Madrid having won 6 of their last 8 home games in this competition. Atletico Madrid have struggled for form so far in 2024.
Action Network: Inter wins at home
Anthony Dabbundo writes, "There are some holes in the Inter set piece defensive metrics, but the Nerazzurri are playing like a top three or four team in this competition and should be a bigger favorite at home against Simeone's side."
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UEFA Champions League: Predictions for Feb. 21 matches
Porto vs. Arsenal predictions
Covers.com: Bet on Bukayo Saka to score (+188 on BetMGM)
Sam Farley writes, "[Saka] played five times in the group stage, finding the back of the net three times and popping up with four assists too."
The Telegraph: Take Porto to win or draw
Jamie Griffith writes, "The Gunners may have won 6-0 and 5-0 in their previous two away games at West Ham and Burnley, but they have lost five times on their travels this season, including a 2-1 loss at Lens in the group stage."
Napoli vs. Barcelona predictions
Covers.com: Take the under on 2.5 goals
Chris Vasile writes, "Given both team's inconsistent play and the fact that both are experiencing some managerial turmoil right now, I'd expect both skippers to line their teams up with a defensive mindset to ensure a meaningful second leg back in Spain."
The Telegraph: Barcelona to win
"[Barcelona striker] Robert Lewandowski is in fine form heading into the knockout stages and Napoli are all over the place at the moment."
UEFA Champions League: Predictions for Feb. 13 matches
Copenhagen vs. Man City predictions
The Telegraph: Manchester City pulls ahead in second half after halftime draw
Jamie Griffith writes, "City’s star power will eventually shine too bright, but back the hosts to use the Parken atmosphere to buoy them to a positive first-half performance."
The Independent: Man City to win by at least two goals
Greg Lea writes, "City should have too much quality for a team that are only third in the Danish top flight. A two-goal victory appears to be well within the holders’ reach."
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid predictions
The Telegraph: Madrid wins, but both teams score
Adrian Mills writes, "Die Bullen have the firepower to test an unfamiliar central defensive pairing of Nacho and Aurelien Tchouameni, but may also struggle to handle a star-studded Real attack."
The London Evening Standard: Real Madrid 2, RB Leipzig 1
Jonathan Gorrie writes, "It would be a surprise not to see Madrid pick up a victory, albeit being without Bellingham is a blow."
UEFA Champions League: Predictions for Feb. 14 matches
PSG vs. Real Sociedad predictions
The London Evening Standard: PSG 2, Real Sociedad 0
Alex Young writes, "PSG need to turn up to do so, of course, but have been building momentum and have not tasted defeat in any competition since November."
Pickswise: Take Real Sociedad or Draw
Andrew Wilsher writes, "PSG’s last 2 Champions League games have ended 1-1 and Real Sociedad have tied 3 of their last 4 games."
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich predictions
The London Evening Standard: Bayern Munich 3, Lazio 1
Alex Young writes, "Bayern continue to juggle injuries but should still have enough about them to leave Italy with a healthy first-leg advantage."
Pickswise: Take Lazio or Draw
Joe Casey writes, "Lazio have proven they can be difficult to beat at the Stadio Olimpico this season, with their only loss in their last 15 home games coming against runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan, and they could be set to frustrate the 6-time Champions League winners."
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UEFA Champions League odds and lines
All odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday morning.
PSV vs. Dortmund
Lines: PSV (+105); Draw (+275); Dortmund (+225)
Over 2.5 goals (-185)
Under 2.5 goals (+130)
Inter Milan vs. Atlético Madrid
Lines: Inter Milan (-160); Draw (+275); Atlético Madrid (+475)
Over 2.5 goals (+100)
Under 2.5 goals (-135)
Porto vs. Arsenal
Lines: Arsenal (-145); Draw (+270); Porto (+425)
Over 2.5 goals (-110)
Under 2.5 goals (-130)
Napoli vs. Barcelona
Lines: Barcelona (+150); Draw (+240); Napoli (+175)
Over 2.5 goals (-140)
Under 2.5 goals (+100)
Bayern Munich vs. Lazio (Leg 2)
Lines: Bayern Munich (-300); Draw (+425); Lazio (+800)
Over 2.5 goals (-175)
Under 2.5 goals (+125)
Real Sociedad vs. PSG (Leg 2)
Real Sociedad (+160); Draw (+230); PSG (+165)
Over 2.5 goals (-110)
Under 2.5 goals (-130)
Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig (Leg 2)
Lines: Real Madrid (-175); Draw (+340); Leipzig (+425)
Over 3.5 goals (+125)
Under 3.5 goals (-175)
Man City vs. Copenhagen (Leg 2)
Lines: Man City (-650); Draw (+750); Copenhagen (+1500)
Over 3.5 goals (-105)
Under 3.5 goals (-130)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Champions League predictions: Picks, odds ahead of round of 16
