Clash of Campeones; who arrives Lisbon

 

 With the league season either concluded or cancelled across Europe, it's time for the most elite club competition to take centre stage.

The UEFA Champions league, which normally involves home and away fixtures all through except the finals, (which is a single game) has been made to change shape due to the pandemic faced by the world.

The competition will now be completed in Lisbon, Portugal with single knockout fixtures deciding who makes it to the finals.

But just before we get super excited about Lisbon there are certain round of 16 matches yet to be completed (had to be postponed), certain teams yet to grab with both hands their Lisbon tickets.

These games have been given the green light to play outside Lisbon, the last we'll see teams play on their home turf.

These fixtures involve Bayern, Napoli and Juventus to mention a few, and will be played on the 7th and 8th of August, 8pm Local time.

Previewing Fixtures:

Juventus vs Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon);

Juve will take on Lyon on the 7th of August in turin. A fixture that ended 1-0 in favour of Lyon the last time both sides met. Juve will be seeking to be 2 goals clear of Lyon to ensure qualification. It does look easy on paper with Juventus having Dybala and Ronaldo in top form and Lyon having to stay a long while off competitive fixtures.

There are still cloudy areas over the Juve ranks as certain players are battling with injuries and discomfort to be fit for this game.

A game many feel will decide Sarri's future.

It does look like a promising encounter, one bound to produce lots of goals.

Speaking of goals; Bayern vs Chelsea:

Chelsea were trashed 3-0 at the bridge by Flick's men in the first leg, and while it does look like a repetition is imminent come second leg it shouldn't be that easy.

Bayern have been in top form since the restart, with the likes of Lewandoski and Muller claiming the most goals and assists respectively in the Bundesliga. Looking at Chelsea, they've had shaky performances since the restart, wins and losses. They'll want to give it a strong fight even if the tides are against them (it has been against them season long). 

It will be rather tight but then Chelsea are sure to concede...

Date: August 8.    Time: 8pm

Manchester City vs Real Madrid;

The King fixture of the round of 16. Pep vs Zidane, The clash between two serial winners, greats in the competition, it doesn't come better than this.

City won the 1st encounter away at Spain, 2-1, with Ramos shown a red.

City have been dominant since the restart although losing few games to strong oppositions.

Madrid on the other hand haven't drawn or lost since the restart, beating everyone that shared the pitch with them enroute to clinching their 34th league title.

Although they will be without captain Sergio Ramos, they'll feel encouraged by the presence of Hazard as he was missed in the 1st leg.

City do have injury concerns on their plate with their legendary no.10 being on the side lines for a while and they'll be hoping to have him fit for the encounter.

This game won't be short of tactical masterclass, in the end we'll have one winner.

PS: Every Los blancos player should be weary of Kevin de Bruyne.

Date: August 7.     Time: 8pm

Barcelona vs Napoli;

It's Messi vs Manolas once more. The last time both met in the competition created memories Barca fans pray to forget. Well, prayer got answered, Anfield came through.

Gattuso vs Setien, one already with a trophy in the bag, the other uncertain about his job.

It'll be indeed fun to watch; it's always fun to watch Messi.

Barcelona would be without Busquets and Vidal due to suspension and the likes of Umtiti due to injury. Napoli do have slight injury issues with Insigne and Manolas undergoing speedy recoveries. It definitely will make a great game.

Date: August 8.     Time: 8pm.

Predictions:

Juventus 3-1 Lyon

Man City 2-1 Real Madrid

Bayern 2-3 Chelsea

Barcelona 1-2 Napoli

Interesting times we have upon us as every team will be scheming and planning (like the professor) just to see Lisbon.