Sixteen teams made it through the Group Stages of the Champions League prior to 
Christmas, with the draw for the Round of 16 knockout phase taking place just a couple of weeks later. That draw saw some classic matches for the first round, many that would have graced the final in Kiev later in the year.
After a hiatus for Christmas (and also to cover the winter break for many teams across Europe), the Champions League gets back underway this week with four of the first leg ties from the Round of 16 played across Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The remaining first leg ties in the Round of 16 will be completed next week also on Tuesday and Wednesday (and you can catch the preview of those games right here).
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Outlined below is our previews of the four first legs taking place this week in the Champions League Round of 16, together with our choice of top bets for each game.
We’ll start with the action that gets underway on Tuesday night and which features one English Premier League side in each game.
Champions League – Tuesday February 13th
FC Basel v Manchester City
Venue: St. Jakub-Park (38,512)
FC Basel Form – W W W W L W
FC Basel Team News – Injury has robbed Basel of two players who featured in their 1-0 win over Manchester United with keeper Germano Vailati and midfielder Luca Zuffi both ruled out with injury. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka’s brother Taulant should start in Zuffi’s place with Czech keeper Tomas Vaclik taking over in goal. It’s a choice between ex-Norwich striker Dutchman Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Dmitri Oberlin in attack with the young Swiss striker likely to get the nod in my view.
FC Basel Likely XI – (5-4-1): Vaclik, Petretta, Lang, Alvarez, Suchy, Akanji, Xhaka, Die, Steffen, Elyounoussi, Oberlin.
Man City Form – W W W W D W
Man City Team News – City come into this game with a number of players injured including Leroy Sane, David Silva, Gabriel de Jesus, Bernard Mendy and Fabian Delph, while others have just made their return from injury. Aymeric Laporte should make his Champions League debut for City and I feel Guardiola will keep faith with young Zinchenko at left full back, rather than draft in the more experienced Danilo. De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling and Aguero will be tasked with scoring the goals to take City into a dominant position in this tie.
Man City Likely XI – (4-1-4-1): Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Our Top Tips
- Manchester City to win and both teams to score – (15/8 with Coral)
- First Goalscorer – Sergio Aguero – (14/5 with Coral)
- Anytime Goalscorer – Mohamed Elyounoussi (7/2 with Coral)
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Venue: Allianz Stadium (41,507)
Juventus Form – W W W W W W
Juventus Team News – Juventus are on an incredible streak of performances, they have won 15 and drawn one of their last 16 games and incredibly during that entire run they have conceded just one goal in that period. That is an incredible defensive effort by the Italian side and they will head into this game with a great deal of confidence they can hold Spurs much vaunted attack at bay. Douglas Costa could return to the team in place of either Bernadeschi or Mandzukic but Pablo Dybala is one of a number of absentees that could hurt Juventus chances of scoring goals against what is a well marshalled Spurs back line.
Juventus Likely XI – (4-3-3): Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Sandro, Chiellini, Benatia, Khedira, Pjanic, Marchisio, Bernardeschi, Mandzukic, Higuain.
Tottenham Form – D D W D W W
Tottenham Team News –  Although their recent form contains as many draws as wins, Spurs have picked up seven points from games with Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal in as many games and they will be bullish about their chances in Turin on Tuesday night. Harry Kane will be central to their hopes of securing an away goal, but at the moment Juventus back line looks as tight and as strong as any in European football and I cannot see Spurs enjoying playing against this vastly experienced unit. I can’t see Pochettino making too many changes to the side that beat Arsenal, especially with centre-back Toby Alderweireld left at home for this match.
Tottenham Likely XI – (4-2-3-1): Lloris, Trippier, Davies, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Dembele, Dier, Alli, Erikssen, Son, Kane.
Our Top Tips
- Juventus to win to nil – (21/10 with Coral)
- Correct Score – Juventus to win 1-0 – (5/1 with Coral)
- First Goalscorer – Gonzalo Higuain (10/3 with Coral)
Champions League – Wednesday February 14th
FC Porto v Liverpool
Venue: Estadio do Dragao (50,033)
FC Porto Form – W W W D W W
FC Porto Team News – Porto are going to be without their suspended centre half Felipe for this game, plus they have injury concerns over several players including their striker Aboubacar and midfielder Andre both unlikely to be fit in time. Manager Sergio Conceicao will likely return veteran Iker Casillas back between the sticks and midfielder Brahimi will also likely return to the team after both sat on the bench for Porto’s 4-0 away win at Chaves at the weekend.
FC Porto Likely XI – (4-4-2): Casillas, Perreira, Telles, Reyes, Osorio, Otavio, Herrera, Oliveira, Brahimi, Tiquinho, Marega
Liverpool Form – W L L W D W
Liverpool Team News –  The big question Liverpool fans want to know will be whether Loris Karius keeps his place in goal, or whether Klopp rotates his keepers and gives Mignolet the start. My money is on Karius retaining his place after some much improved performances of late. Moreno’s experience may also see him return at left back for David Robertson, while Emre Can’s suspension means that Jordan Henderson will likely start and I also feel James Milner has a chance of replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield. Liverpool’s attacking trio however, will be unchanged and tasked with causing mayhem in the FC Porto backline.
Liverpool Likely XI – (4-3-3): Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Moreno, Van Dijk, Matip, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah
Our Top Tips
- FC Porto v Liverpool – Draw – (12/5 with Coral)
- Match Result and Both Teams to Score – Draw – (16/5 with Coral)
- First Goalscorer – Mo Salah (4/1 with Coral)
Real Madrid v Paris St Germain
Venue: Bernebeu (81,044)
Real Madrid Form – W W L W W W
Real Madrid Team News – it’s a big blow for Real Madrid to be without Dani Carvajal for this clash with PSG, so young Moroccan Hakimi will likely deputise. I also expect Zidane to make his midfield match up strongly with PSG’s, so I am expecting Casemiro, Kroos and Modric to start, meaning Isco’s best chance of featuring is likely either as a sub, or in place of Bale. I think Bale will likely start this game as it is a crucial one for the home team but if things are not going Real’s way then I can see Isco and Asensio being brought on sooner rather than later to try and change things around.
Real Madrid Likely XI – (4-3-3): Navas, Hakimi, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema
Paris St Germain Form – L W W W W W
Paris St Germain Team News –  PSG have been dealt a couple of injury blows with left back Kurzawa and their key striker Edinson Cavani both likely to miss this one through injury. That could mean a reshuffle in attack where Mbappe will likely play a more central role allowing either Di Maria to move forward from midfield, or Draxler to come into the team as a midfielder or a winger. Neymar will be PSG’s main attacking threat, against a team that he has been linked with joining with Kimpembe likely to deputise for Kurzawa at left back. Areola will continue in goal in place of the injured Trapp.
Paris St Germain Likely XI – (4-3-3): Areola, Alves, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Silva, Veratti, Rabiot, Di Maria, Neymar, Mbappe, Draxler
Our Top Tips
- Real Madrid v Paris St Germain – Draw – (14/5 with Coral)
- Match Result and Both Teams to Score – Draw – (16/5 with Coral)
- First Goalscorer – Cristiano Ronaldo (4/1 with Coral)
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