Well the Champions League returns on Tuesday and with that, the knock-out stage commences. There are a lot of wonderful ties to watch and there are only a few that you could look at and feel confident about a winner. Here is what I think will occur in this round.

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FC Schalke 04 v FC Porto

On paper and in person, these two are extremely evenly matched. Neither side is incredibly strong, nor are they incredibly weak. Schalke have been inconsistent in the German league this season, but having reached this far is a great accomplishment for them. While they lost at home on Friday, the fact that they'll have four days to rest for this match will be good but it doesn't give them the edge as Porto will have also been rested since Friday. Porto are running away with the Portuguese league and they could start to shift their focus in the hopes of reaching further in this competition. The question here is which team is actually stronger? Yes, Porto do lead their league, but is it in the same quality as Germany? The answer is no. Does that make Schalke a the stronger of the two because they play in a tougher league? Probably not, so again you're left looking at this match as an even contest. I like Schalke in the first leg because they're at home and the crowd will be with them. I expect a close first-half contest, with neither side putting up too many chances, but Schalke will open up in the 2nd half and score a goal. If Porto go down a goal, you'll see them move into the attack and try to grab an away goal. If they decide to play too defensive, then their only chance of scoring will be on the odd-counter attack.

Prediction: Schalke 04 v FC Porto = 2:1

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Liverpool v Inter Milan

With no FA Cup, No Carling Cup and the Premiership out of the question, there is only one trophy the Reds can win this season and the only thing that will save Rafa Benitez from being fired. They face the Italian leaders Inter Milan who have been on-fire this season both in Serie A and in the Champions League. It would be clear that Inter are the favorites in this tie, but in recent years, they have fallen and disappointed their fans in the knock-out stages. With this first match being played at The Anfield, you really have to put the edge at least in this match to Liverpool. Chances are they will play a 4-4-2 but with a midfield that will probably shift more towards aiding the defense rather than setting up the strikers. This match has draw written all over it, but the question will be does it end 0:0 or 1:1. As long as Liverpool do not give up an early goal or do not go behind in the first half, I expect them to stay with a draw. If they do manage to score first, then they could get one more, but I do not expect them to take any risks against Inter and rely on getting an away goal in the return leg.

Prediction: Liverpool v Inter Milan = 1:1

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AS Roma v Real Madrid CF

I am not a fan of either side but this is a really interesting match-up. Real should retain their La Liga title while Roma are trying to fight-off Juventus, Fiorentina and AC Milan for 2nd place in Italy. Roma suffered a 1:0 away loss to Juventus on Saturday but will be glad to have this match at home on Tuesday. Real Madrid also lost on over the weekend on the road after taking an early lead. On paper Real are the better side top-to-bottom but you can expect them to play for the draw here. They have had success against Roma in the past and this might put pressure on the club from the Italian capital to play extremely defensive at home, rather than trying to take their chances.  I expect Real Madrid to go for at least one goal and will not worry too much about taking risks up front. Roma might see this and react by shifting to a 5 in the back and play for that boring 0:0 draw. I want a goal in this match, and I expect it will come from the club in white.

Prediction: AS Roma v Real Madrid = 1:2

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Olympiakos v Chelsea

This is the match where everyone is stating, 'so who is Chelsea facing next?'. Olympiakos are the surprise team of the 16 left in the competition and they face an extremely tough side with Chelsea. Chelsea want to play in Moscow in May more than any club in this competition. They've reached the semis 3 times in the last 4 seasons missing out on the big match. Since the premiership title might be out of reach, they can focus their players on this match and I believe they will go at Olympiakos at full force. The problem with the Greek side is that they lack the experience in the later stages of this competiiton and their players are pretty old in comparison to the youth that fills the Chelsea squad. I expect Olympiakos to fight hard, but their lack of skill will only net them at best a scoreless draw.

Prediction: Olympiakos v Chelsea = 0:2

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Celtic v Barcelona

Yes, Barcelona have no performed as well as they should have this season. They have some of the best goal-scorers in the world with Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho and  Eto'o not to mention the young spark-plug that is Spanish-Serb Bojan Krkic; but due to some inconsistencies they have no played to their full potential. Celtic will probably look at this match and feel that they can cause some problems for the Barcelona side. I expect that Celtic will take their chances at home and try their hardest to score at least one goal because of their poor form outside of Scotland. Barcelona will hope that Celtic, with their risk-taking go too far and gift them a goal. I expect goals in this match from both sides and it will be the return leg that really decides the winner.

Prediction: Celtic v Barcelona = 2:2

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Lyon v Manchester United

At the beginning of this season, Lyon looked shaky at best. They didn't have their first choice keeper (Coupet) between the sticks and they were having a hard time against opposition that should be  easy 3 points. It also looked pretty bad for them when they lost their first two group stage matches, but they turned around won the matches they need to and now must feel extremely confident hosting Manchester United. Manchester had a mixed first part of their League season, but were incredible in the Champions League, although in a relatively weak group that they locked up pretty early. They will try to build on the 4:0 win over Arsenal on the weekend but this will be a very different opponent. I expect a tight contest, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manchester leave with a victory. Over the past few years, I have been a huge supporter of seeing Lyon going far in Europe but they always disapointed. I expect this year they will continue to disappoint. They'll put up a fight, but it will be a 2nd half mistake that will put them behind the 8-ball going to Manchester.

Prediction : Lyon v Manchester Utd. = 1:2

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Fenerbahce v Sevilla

Chances are if you're asked about Turkish club football, you'll respond by mentioning Galatasaray. While that's nice, they are actually not the most successful club from the country, but that Fenerbahce is. This will be the Turkish club's best chance at impressing people in Europe. They have a very diverse squad of younger Turkish players and experienced International talent. Sevilla will be favored in the grand scheme of this series, but their first match in Istanbul will be tough and something they have not experienced in either their previous UEFA Cup success or this season in the group stage. I really like Fenerbahce in the first leg; it won't be a comfortable win, but they'll squeeze out the result they need and head to Spain feeling as though they can advance to the Quarter-finals. Sevilla should not play too defensive but I am certain they will not take their chances.

Prediction: Fenerbahce v Sevilla = 1:0

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Arsenal v AC Milan

Milan looked like they were dead in the water as they couldn't win a league match at home, they were closer to relegation than to the title and nothing was going right. Then entered some young players and the entire team got a massive boost. The fountain of youth has been pretty good as of late and AC Milan are knocking on the door of finishing in the top 4 in Italy. Arsenal on the other hand have had success all season long and outside of missing out Cup trophies in England are on pace to win the Premiership for the first time since their undefeated season a few years back. The squad has developed a lot over the years but are still not that successful in knock-out competitions. They have also had some injury problems as of late and that could cause problems for them in what will be a tough contest. When you have two great clubs like this, you'd want them to have a high-scoring contest, but this has draw written all over it.

Prediction: Arsenal v AC Milan = 0:0

My predictions for the first legs of matches doesn't leave much to the imagination. The first leg is usually played with a lot of caution and clubs at home are not willing to take risks while the away squad do not play to take advantage of their defensive opposition. I think for the neutral, the match to watch will be Celtic v Barcelona while the Fenerbahce v Sevilla will definitely interest the true soccer fan. If there are any surprises, they will be in the Lyon v Manchester and any positive result for Olympiakos (meaning not losing) will also surprise a lot.

Enjoy the matches!

The second leg of the first knockout stage is on Tuesday and Wednesday and there is no clear-cut winner and every team will have to play at their best to advance. Here are my predictions for the matches.

Lyon v Roma (First Leg - 0:0)

I expected the first leg would have had some scoring but unfortunately it was a scoreless draw. While the draw hurt no-one, it actually helps Roma a lot because they know that one goal will be more than enough to advance. Lyon are a great team and can score, so having not left Rome with a goal was a surprise. In the end, I still believe that Lyon is the better club but this is a wake-up for those who think Lyon can go all the way. If Lyon scores first, they will win this match, but if they give up the first goal, I fear that they will not be able to score 2 goals to make-up the difference. The first twenty minutes will determine this match and if the score stays scoreless, then look at Roma to upset, but if Lyon scores, then it's over.

Prediction: Lyon v Roma 2:0

Liverpool v Barcelona (First Leg - 2:1)

Liverpool are in the driver's seat. Having surprised everyone by winning in the Nou Camp has put Barca in a situation where they will need to score 2 goals at Anfield to advance. I think it won't happen because Liverpool are known for their strong defence and they will play a 4-5-1 formation to clog the middle of the field. You can expect that Barcelona will play with two dedicated strikers with 1 or 2 attacking midfielders in order to get a goal. In the end, this will be too much of a deficit and while Barcelona could get a goal, they'll only get one.

Prediction: Liverpool v Barcelona 1:1

Chelsea v Porto (First Leg - 1:1)

Having drawn at in Portugal Porto do still stand a chance and Chelsea know that they will have to play serious to advance. While John Terry will be out, Chelsea should try out playing with 3 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders (the old 3-2-3-2 formation). Chelsea will score a goal and that will be more than enough to advance.

Prediction: Chelsea v FC Porto 2:0

Valencia v Inter (First Leg - 2:2)

I have to like Valencia thanks to their 2:2 away draw. Inter haven't had much success since their semi-final run a few years ago so I think that with Valencia playing for a draw, the Inter offence will not be able to score to change the tide. Even if they do score, I still see if there is enough time, Valencia should be able to tie it. If Valencia score, then I doubt Inter will be able to adjust to score two goals to win this series.

Prediction: Valencia v Inter 1:1

Milan v Celtic (First Leg - 0:0)

I predicted the first leg would be a draw and even with a draw, it's clear that Milan are a better team even though this match-up isn't anything spectacular. I think one goal will be scored and it will be by Milan. Celtic will try their hardest to score, but it will be on a counter-attack that gives Milan the goal they need.

Prediction: Milan v Celtic 1:0

Arsenal v PSV (First Leg - 0:1)

When I made my initial asessements of the matches, I felt that the upset would happen here. While Arsenal are doing decent in the Premiership, I think that the recent string of problems will continue here and while they might be able to score a goal, I doubt they'll hold off PSV and they will be eliminated here. See PSV score first and relax, Arsenal will make some changes in their attempt to change the tide, but it won't be enough.

Prediction: Arsenal v PSV 1:1

Man Utd v Lille (First Leg: 1:0)

I think Lille won't even try in this leg. The problems from the first leg will continue here and you can expect their fans will try to cause problems. I think Man Utd will score at least one goal then relax on it. If Lille do give up the early goal, watch for their players to get dirty and take out their anger on the Man Utd players. This game might be interesting to watch just to see if it gets ugly.

Prediction: Man Utd v Lille 3:0

Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (First Leg: 2:3)

Another series that could go either way and it will be interesting to see who goes on. I think that this match will be tight and low-scoring so it might end scoreless, thus giving Real Madrid the victory. I think the injury to Beckham might hurt Real a bit, but they have the talent to still score on Bayern. While Bayern, are not the greatest offensive threat, they too could score. The team that scores first will win this game and advance.

Prediction: Bayern v Real 1:1

How it must suck to be a Man United fan after Sunday. On Saturday Liverpool helped you guys out by taking care of Chelsea. We all knew Sunday's match against Arsenal wouldn't be a walk in the park, but a draw would have been more than enough to increase your lead, but instead of a draw you allow Thiery Henry, who isn't known for his great heading ability to score the winner in the 92nd minute. Instead of having a 7 or 9 point lead, you only have a 6 point lead and have allowed Liverpool and Arsenal to get right back into the thick of things.

While I doubt Liverpool or Arsenal will be able to cover the difference, they can still cause enough problems to make Manchester fans worry because you now have 3 clubs that want to take you down. You're done with Arsenal, having lost both games to them, but you still have to face Chelsea and Liverpool once more each so they could narrow the margins right there.

But at the same time, Chelsea have to worry too. They have a 5 point lead on Liverpool, but if they fall, then Liverpool could sneak and take 2nd. I think the worst case scenario for Chelsea could just be that. 3rd place and having to qualify for UCL is not something Roman would want right now, and with Jose secretly reaching for the door, we Chelsea fans have to concern ourselves with a lot.

There is still a lot of soccer/football still to be played so anything can still happen. I'll be interested to see how these teams play up until the re-start of the Champions League. If Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea give up any ground on Manchester, I am certain that club will throw in the towel and focus solely on the UCL. But if Manchester lose while the others win, then the race until May will be ever so delicious.