cl preview edition, 2nd leg

Its the second week of March, we have all turned off the heat (except for Jesse, perhaps?) and are ready to tune in to the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Last time around, I think I was decent with my predicting. Now I know there is a big difference between a 1-1 draw and a 2-2 draw when the away goals rule is in effect, but still there is only so much clarity I can get from my crystal ball - unlike Mike's new TV, which when coupled with Ashaad's HDMI cable provides stunning clarity... we should expect nothing less from Champions League sponsor Sony!


Second Leg:
10 March
1) Juventus - Chelsea
"Fantastic Donkey" Didier Drogba picked himself off the ground and scored a early game matchwinner at home in the first leg to provide the Pensioners a slim lead going into this tie. I see Juve playing Chelsea tough again, even gaining an early goal, just to see the effort go to rot with a daggerific Chelsea goal in the later stages of the game.
Juventus 1 - Chelsea 1 (Chelsea advance on aggregate 2-1)


2) Panathinaikos - Villarreal
The return leg of the Gyro Express versus the Yellow Submarine just reminds us all that somehow, one of these lackluster clubs is going through to the next round while either Manchester United or Inter will not. Ain't that a b? Anyway, I see the home cooking sinking the Yellow Submarine after giving up that costly goal at home in Spain.
Panathinaikos 1 - 0 Villarreal (Panathinaikos advance on aggregate 2-1)

3) Liverpool - Real Madrid
Oh boy... how quickly can the tables turn on your squad of choice. Heading into the first leg, Madrid were coming off a solid 2-0 victory against baby Barca squad RCD Espanyol while Liverpool were coming off of a backbreaking, nay, season-dooming draw to Man City. While Liverpool aren't exactly resurgent, Madrid seem like they have completely forgotten how to play the game. Coming off of a lucky draw to cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, Real don't seem like they are in a mood to advance. Expect attacking play to earn them a goal, but it won't be enough to see them through when the Kop urges on their squad to an advancing goal. Rafa to celebrate at local pastry shop after the game.
Liverpool 1 - 1 Real Madrid (Liverpool advance on aggregate 2-1)

4) Bayern Munich - Sporting Lisbon
Why should I bother? When you let the Germans have a romp in your backyard like they did two weeks ago, what chance do you have to advance, Sporting? None is the answer. I see you saving some modicum of face by scoring a goal, but that might be it. My initial hopes for Landycakes getting some CL time may have to wait for some future matchup with an even bigger lead going into the second leg, should that ever occur.
Bayern 3 - 1 Sporting (Bayern advance on aggregate 8-1)


11 March
1) Man U - Inter
I'm not going to lie, Man U didn't do themselves many favors by not scoring away in the first leg. Not that these team seems very stoppable right now, I just think it leaves too much room for a Special One coup through a shocking goal or goals. Van Der Saar needs to make sure he has his head on straight going into this tie, for Inter are no Newcastle and could certainly punish any foolish mistakes the Dutchman could make. Maybe its the puppet admirer in me, but I think Jose will pull out all the stops to zap his gum chewing rival.
Man U 1 - 1 Inter (Inter advance on away goals 1-1)

2) Roma - Arsenal
I think the Voyeur should feel safe in his team advancing through to the next round. They've got their home goal in the bank and will be looking to score another for insurance, which I am sure they will be able to do. Roma will not go down without a fight, though, and I see them pulling one back to great futility late in the game.
Roma 1 - 1 Arsenal (Arsenal advance on aggregate 2-1)

3) Barcelona - Lyon
Well-a, this second leg is going to be a lot spicier than my earlier prediction would have let on. Barca was 'avin a bit of a laffa for the past couple of weeks, but they seemed to have had a return to form after their clash with Athletic Bilbao baggins this weekend. Lyon suffered a recent domestic defeat, but I think they will be inspired by the possibility that this tie presents. In the end, though, the stage and players for Barca will be too much and I see them advancing through (especially when Barca realizes that goals only count when they go into the net, not hit the woodwork).
Barca 2 - 1 Lyon (Barca advance on aggregate 3-2)

4) Porto - Atletico Madrid
While I thought the contest was going to be evenly matched last leg, I didn't see as many goals being scored as there were. After seeing Atletico take on my boys this weekend, they seem like they have got their footballing act together... minus the whole finishing thing. By rights, the result in the derbi madrileño should have favored Atletico by at least 3 goals, but they were lacking the cutting edge in a big way. I see them digging out of their away-goals hole to come out on top in this match:
Porto 1 - Atletico 2 (Atletico advance on aggregate 4-3)