Monday 18 May 2020 16:44, UK
There are five Premier League sides in the last 16 of the Champions League, but how many does Charlie Nicholas think will advance to the next round?
Manchester City have been installed as Sky Bet's new favourites to win the competition after being paired with rank outsiders Basel, with former market leaders Paris Saint-Germain drawn against reigning champions Real Madrid.
Tottenham and Chelsea's odds have both drifted after being handed Juventus and Barcelona respectively, while Liverpool and Manchester United will be favourites for their ties with Porto and Sevilla. Here's how Charlie rates each English side's chances of progressing...
They were close before but City now warrant being favourites with the draw; with PSG having to go to Real Madrid and City virtually handed a place in the last eight. Then there is going to probably be four of the biggest sides going out, so they have a fantastic chance.
Basel have got some awkward results against English teams but they'll play both legs like they are away. I still have my doubts as to whether a Premier League side will win it but City have the standout opportunity.
CHARLIE'S VERDICT: City to progress
This is a 50/50 one for me. This Barcelona side are still nowhere near their best and Ernesto Valverde has not adapted to the Barcelona style. Selling Neymar was obviously a blow and Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have suffered because of that. Gerard Deulofeu is not up to it so teams can get away with putting two men on Messi and Chelsea can do that with their system.
Ousmane Dembele might be back and fit and that would make a difference, but, while they have improved a bit defensively, you can still go at their defence and I think Chelsea have a seriously decent chance if they can manage Messi.
CHARLIE'S VERDICT: Too close to call
Tottenham were looking at Juventus and Bayern Munich as the sides to avoid and this is a tie which belongs at Wembley. Juve are not quite the side which has made the final in two of the last three season as they have lost Leonardo Bonucci and a lot of their other players are getting towards the twilight of their careers.
But Spurs have their issues and only Dele Alli's reputation is keeping him in the team at the moment, although there is time for him to improve as it is only a consistency thing that comes with his age. You saw how he lifted his game against Real Madrid and this type of game will suit him.
However, this Juve defence is a brutal challenge and they will not be suckered by counter-punches, so it is a fascinating tie. Spurs have slightly more quality and technical ability and Toby Alderweireld's return will be a big difference but, with it being at Wembley rather than the Lane, I can't split them and make this another 50/50.
CHARLIE'S VERDICT: Too close to call
I see Liverpool coming through here. It's a great draw, especially being away from home first. The level of Portuguese football has generally dipped in terms of quality from their league. They don't have any household names anymore. Most people wouldn't be able to name three Porto players, which wouldn't have been the case a couple of seasons ago.
Liverpool can go there and counter-attack them ruthlessly. Yes, Jurgen Klopp's team are poor at the back but Porto are more technical than physical, which allows them to regain their shape, so I see this as a very good draw and 70/30 in Liverpool's favour.
CHARLIE'S VERDICT: Liverpool to progress
Again I'd favour Manchester United here. Jose Mourinho will be making his excuses over the next few weeks for their derby defeat and they don't have the same belief without Paul Pogba. The counter-attack also isn't quite working as effectively for Jose now as it used to because everybody expects it.
We saw Sevilla getting absolutely caned at the weekend by Real Madrid but they are very unpredictable, with a volatile stadium where they can really go after you.
United should still have too much quality so I make this a 60/40 tie in their favour and we could well be in a position where there are five English sides in the quarter-finals. That wouldn't really surprise me.
CHARLIE'S VERDICT: Manchester United to progress
