On this piece, I’ll be ranking all 16 teams remaining in the Champions League and I’ll also give you my predictions on each of the matchups. Write your comments below or via twitter (@30minlunchbreak) if you agree or disagree with my rankings or predictions. – SM

Free Kicks

1. Juventus (1st in Serie A, 1st Group H)

Juventus have looked the part all tournament long and as they try to make another run at the Champions League title. Having fallen short the last couple of trips Juve believe they’ve added what they think is the missing piece CR7.

2. Barcelona (1st in La Liga, 1st Group B)

Barcelona seems to be the team to beat this year in the Champions League as they have arguably the best player-for-player roster in the tournament. Titles aren’t won on paper however, but Barca are the favorites to win the tournament.

3. Liverpool (1st in EPL, 2nd Group C)

Liverpool has been solid this year and is looking to make some noise in the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp and his squad look to add the illustrious title to its trophy case as Liverpool will try to reach its elite status back in European competition.

4. Borussia Dortmund (1st in Bundesliga, 1st Group A)

Borussia Dortmund has played solid football all tournament long it’s no surprise they’ve reached the knockout stage. Dortmund is more of a threat than people are giving them credit for, as they look to be the team that no one is looking forward to playing.

5. Manchester City (2nd in EPL, 1st Group F)

Man City have put together another solid Champions League campaign as they reach the round of 16. Looking to make history the Citizens will try to reach the final round for the first time in the clubs history and give themselves a shot at the title.

6. PSG (1st in Ligue 1, 1st Group C)

The French club made it out as group leaders and at times have looked like one of Europe’s top clubs. At other times PSG has looked horrible in its losses, which makes it harder to trust them moving forward matched against the elite teams.

7. Real Madrid (2nd in La Liga, 1st Group G)

Somehow in a year where Real Madrid haven’t looked nothing like the Real Madrid of old, they still keep themselves in contention with an opportunity to add another Copa. Los Blancos are no longer feared like they once were with CR7, but Real is still Real and they are always dangerous in any competition.

8. Bayern Munich (2nd in Bundesliga, 1st Group E)

Bayern Munich has had a down year by their standards but Bayern was lucky enough to have benefited from having one of the easier groups. Now that the competition will definitely get tougher, we’ll get our answer on Bayern are they contenders or pretenders in the Champions League?

9. Manchester United (4th in EPL, 2nd Group H)

Ole has his team on a high yet still, he had yet to taste defeat since he’s taken over as the coach for Man U. The Red Devils will have to be at their very best as they’ll some of Europe’s elite from this stage on.

10. Atlético Madrid (3rd in La Liga, 2nd Group A)

Los Colchoneros somewhat cruised past the group stage without having really been tested. That luxury has come to an end and Atlético Madrid will have no room for error if they have any hopes of chasing the UCL title.

11. Tottenham (3rd in La Liga, 2nd Group B)

Tottenham edged their way out of the group stage and have given themselves a shot getting to the final 16. Although being way too streaky in the tournament, if they get can get Harry Kane back it will put them back to being contenders if they can stay healthy.

12. FC Porto (1st in Primera Liga, 1st Group D)

Quietly the Portuguese side comes out having earned the highest point total 16 from the group stage. Having yet to be really tested, Porto is out to prove their doubters that they belong with the elite.

13. AS Roma (4th in Serie A, 2nd Group G)

Roma makes it out of the group, having played well enough to get through to the knockout round. Now, well enough will no longer cut it, as they’ll be one of the underdogs left in the tournament.

14. Ajax (2nd in Eredivisie League, 2nd Group E)

Ajax took care of business and earned their ticket out of the group stage. Having already overachieved in the tournament, Ajax isn’t expected to win the tournament but they also have no problem playing spoiler.

15. Lyon (3rd in Ligue 1, 2nd Group F)

Lyon should be happy with earning one of the top 2 spots in the group and getting to play extra games in a top European competition. This should be the round in which the French clubs makes its exit with their head held high with a more than pleasant UCL performance.

16. Schalke 04 (14th in Bundesliga, 2nd Group D)

Schalke without a doubt was the team that most benefited from having a favorable group making it to the round of 16. Schalke also is the team most likely to be guaranteed it’s an exit, but nothing is guaranteed in football and the games still need to be played.

The Matchups

In chronological order. All times are Pacific standard.

PSG (6) vs Manchester United (9)

Feb 12, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Old Trafford | Manchester, England

Players to Watch

PSG head into their UCL clash vs Man U very shorthanded as Neymar, Edison Cavani, and Thomas Meunier have all picked up injuries prior to their 1st leg match up. The Injuries have put Man Utd as favorites in a matchup that will feature a battle of the Frenchmen, the Red Devils have been playing the better football between the two as of late. My Prediction: Manchester United

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FC Porto (12) vs AS Roma (13)

Feb 12, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Stadio Olimpico | Rome, Italy

Players to Watch

Porto comes into the round of 16 as the favorites vs Roma, but let’s not forget that Roma pulled off a massive upset of Barcelona last year. In a matchup of two teams that to me are pretty evenly matched, it’s hard to favor one more than the other but this matchup should be a good one regardless of who comes out of the round.

My Prediction: Roma

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Borussia Dortmund (4) vs Tottenham (11)

Feb 13, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Wembley Stadium| Wembley, London

Players to Watch

Borussia Dortmund versus Tottenham will be as good as advertised in what could turn out to be one of the best matchups of this round. As mentioned Tottenham will be without captain Harry Kane, but Son has stepped up big in his absence, Dortmund, on the other hand, have all their star players at its disposal and can come out of this round victorious. My Prediction: Borussia Dortmund

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Real Madrid (7) vs Ajax (14)

Feb 13, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Amsterdam Arena | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Players to Watch

Real Madrid comes into their matchup vs Ajax as heavy favorites and should make it through to the round of 8 with no problem. I’ve been preaching it all article long that the games still have to be played, this is true but the difference in talent between the 2 ball clubs points to Real cruising to victory. My Prediction: Real Madrid

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Barcelona (2) vs Lyon (15)

Feb 19, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Parc Olympique Lyonnais | Décines-Charpieu, France

Players to Watch

Barcelona to no one’s surprise is the BIG favorites in this matchup vs the French side Lyon. Barca is the all-around better team and has the luxury of bringing a quality player off the bench, Lyon has already outdone themselves in the tournament and gotten further than most expected but this looks to be the end of the road. My Prediction: Barcelona

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Bayern Munich (8) vs Liverpool (3)

Feb 19, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Anfield | Liverpool, UK

Players to Watch

Bayern Munich vs Liverpool will not disappoint and i am choosing this matchup as the best matchup on this round of 16. Both teams will come in at full force and will put their best display of football for the world to see, choosing a winner is the hardest part of all but the team that makes it through the round will be a favorite for the rest of the tournament. My Prediction: Liverpool

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Juventus (1) vs Atlético Madrid (10)

Feb 19, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | Anfield | Liverpool, UK

Players to Watch

My honorable mention for the matchup of the round of 16 is Juventus vs Atletico Madrid in another great matchup that will not disappoint. In a game where we will have a battle of the 7’s between Ronaldo and Griezmann two of the world best strikers this battle will give you all the fireworks, again difficult to pick a clear cut winner is the thought task in this one but as of late Juventus have 1up’d Atletico. My Prediction: Juventus

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Manchester City (5) vs Schalke 04 (16)

Feb 20, 2019 @ 12:00 PM | VELTINS-Arena | Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Players to Watch

This matchup is one between a football club that is far far superior to their opponent, the clubs are Man City and Schalke 04. If you guessed Man City as the superiors of the 2 you are correct. The Citizens should dispose of Schalke fairly easy in what could be a massive rout for the EPL side, Schalke just doesn’t have enough to even make this battle interesting but upsets always make for great headlines so we shall see. My Prediction: Manchester City

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Social Mike is a podcaster and soccer junkie. He has been covering the soccer since 2018 for the30minutelunchbreak.com. You can view all of his posts and articles, and follow him on Twitter.