When the Champions League draw took place, Liverpool needed several things to increase their chances of winning not only this competition, but also the Premier League.

As is the case in the current era of Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, the fortunes of Liverpool and Manchester City are usually linked. Only one can earn each of the three remaining trophies on offer, though both might ultimately earn it.

The UEFA draw – done correctly on first request this time – matched liverpool with Benfica: a big check in the “what we wanted to see” box. But the good news didn’t stop there.

Manchester City and Chelsea are both on opposite sides of the draw, with Guardiola’s men facing what could prove to be a tricky double game with Atlético Madrid, although an Atlético Madrid that Liverpool already have beaten home and away this season.

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The winner will face either Chelsea or Real Madrid; just as tricky as Bayern Munich (assuming they overtake Villarreal), who await the Reds if they can beat Benfica.

More interestingly, Liverpool and Manchester City will be playing on the same night in the Champions League, so neither have a huge advantage ahead of the clash between the two in the league in terms of recovery time and preparation time. The two have five days after the first leg before they meet at the Etihad Stadium, sandwiched between the two European fixtures.

But Atlético should be a tougher test and closer bond overall than Liverpool’s visit to Benfica, although Manchester City will ultimately be favorites to get the job done against Diego Simeone’s well-prepared side. It’s not the Atlético of three or four years ago, but they will always make it tough and keep the scoreline tight, especially against a team that has struggled to score goals at times lately.

The way is there for a Liverpool vs Manchester City final in Paris although there is plenty of action to be played before then. The top two in England are the competition favorites and that is, statistically, the most likely outcome, although football does not always follow that pattern.

Whether Liverpool would rather face Guardiola over two legs or one is a point that can be debated, but they have at least avoided the possibility of having to play against Manchester City four times in 18 days. There’s still a chance it could be two weekends in a row if the duo go head-to-head in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but that would be far less daunting than a four-time header in pursuit of four trophies .

Frankly, playing as little as possible at Manchester City is better. If the teams played each other four times in such a short time, it would have been a nightmare – after all, it’s hard to imagine a team winning all four encounters (or at least making the most progress in each of the three competitions) .

If Liverpool are to claim the treble this season, they will always need a bit of luck in the draw for each competition, and so far the Gods of Football (if Mikaël Silvestre, the man chosen by UEFA to select meetings, can be called like that…) played ball. The quadruple is still on the way and while it remains an almost impossible task to win it all, it is undoubtedly more likely than it was a few hours ago.

Karim Benzema was Real Madrid’s MVP for the second game in a row as they eliminated Mallorca on Monday.

Five days after his Champions League hat-trick against Paris Saint-Germain, Benzema scored twice and set up another as Mallorca were beaten 3-0 at Palma.

Setting up Vinicius Junior for the 55th-minute opener, Benzema took his La Liga assist tally to 11 in 25 games this season.

Best bets and predictions for Saturday’s matches in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

Best bets

Sassuolo beat Fiorentina
BT Sport 2, 7:45 p.m. Saturday
1pt 7-4 Hills

Getafe beat Alaves
3:15 p.m. Saturday
2pts 19-20 general

Wolfsburg beat Monchengladbach
2:30 p.m. Saturday
2 points 11-4 bet365

Overview

Sassuolo against Fiorentina

Sassuolo could be a valuable shade at home for a Fiorentina side with an eye on Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus.

There is no love lost between these two, let alone right now after Dusan Vlahovic sold 17 goals from La Viola to Juve, and Sassuolo can take advantage of that potential distraction.

Fiorentina are missing key centre-back Nikola Milenkovic and central midfielder Lucas Torreira, and Sassuolo will be absolutely abuzz after last weekend’s 2-0 win over champions Inter.

Sassuolo will also be boosted by the return of centre-back Gianmarco Ferrari after a one-game ban.

Getafe v Alaves

Getafe can put daylight between them and the La Liga drop zone by taking care of a blunt Alaves unit in the outskirts of Madrid.

Getafe are almost bankers at home these days, having won six of their last seven at home – they’ve drawn the other – and that run includes a triumph over leaders Real Madrid.

Under Quique Sanchez Flores, appointed in October, they’ve been transformed and it’s hard to believe they’ll actually be involved in a relegation tumble, although picking up points early on the table will ease any worries.

They should be more than good enough to deal with Alaves, Spain’s lowest goalscorer with 19 goals, six of them on penalties. They look totally dependent on Joselu at 12 goals – no one else in the squad has scored more than two – and they’ve only won the league once since the first week of November.

Mönchengladbach vs. Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg have beaten Borussia Mönchengladbach more times than any other side in the Bundesliga and they can extend their grip on the Foals this weekend.

Gladbach host Wolves at Borussia Park, still licking their wounds from last week’s 6-0 dismantling by Dortmund, in which old Marco Reus netted a brace.

Now another former player, Max Kruse, will have his sights set on a squeaky Gladbach backline who have already conceded 19 goals at home this season, the same they let slip through the entire 2020-21 season.

Adi Hutter’s men have won just one of their last six, one of their last five at home and have scored 15 goals in front of their own fans in their last five matches, with at least two goals in each of these matches.

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FIRST PUBLICATION AT 3:10 PM, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PSG and real Madrid bring the derby from UEFA Champions League round of 16. The two powers will have their first meeting in Paris, at the Parc des Princes. We’ve seen them face off often over the past few years, once in the knockout stage as well. Even though they are in first place in the respective national leagues, neither team plays impressive football. Some say it’s because of the conservative style which Pochettino and Ancelotti prefer, others say the reasons are different. The future will tell which ones are right.

Overview

PSG (+100) ousted victory against Rennes in the last test before the clash with Real. Mbappé scored in stoppage time for the 1-0, and a good atmosphere in the locker room. The Saints have only suffered one defeat in the last 14 games, and that was against Nice in the Coupe de France, after penalties.

The Parisians then bounced back furiously, beating Lille away, 1-5. Just to remind you that they lost the title and the Cup to this unit last season. It was arguably the best game for Pochettino’s team in three months.

At home, PSG is very strong, especially the offensive part of the team. We’ve seen them score twice or more in seven of the last 10 games at the Parc des Princes. However, Messi and the lads only scored once in the last 180 minutes here.

real Madrid (+200) gets away with undeserved wins throughout the campaign. Even the games in which they didn’t play well at all end with Los Blancos triumphing. But in the last four games, they only managed to deliver one victory.

The main reason for this was a bad attack, as Real scored one goal in 270 minutes. The absence of Karim Benzema is felt massively, and Ancelotti does not have the player capable of covering his absence. These three competitions all ended with one or no goals.

Real’s tactic is quite simple. Close all paths to the goal and form a tight block in front of the box. After winning possession, the target is Vinicius and the young Brazilian is tasked with leading the break.

Recent news

Due to a calf injury, Sergio Ramos won’t play against his former side. Herrera is also absent, as are Letellier and Michut. Neymar injured his ankle a long time ago and he can’t attack the old rivals.

Benzema is the only unavailable player on Real’s list. Still, his impact is greater than any of the absent PSG players in the squad.

head to head games

PSG and Real contested the 2019 UCL group stage, and the French powerhouse won at home, 3-0, while the rematch ended 2-2. In 2018 they were also in the knockout stage and Real eliminated the opponents winning in both clashes, 1-2 in Paris and 3-1 at home.

Prediction

The best thing to do here is to go for low efficiency. It’s the first leg, and we’re sure Pochettino and Ancelotti won’t take too many risks, which is why under 2.5 goals stand out as the best choice.

Pick: Under 2.5 goals +120

Home » Sport » Can Chelsea defend the UEFA Champions League title? February 10, 2022

The UEFA Champions League is Europe’s most prestigious football competition. This is why the team that wins the precious trophy enjoys the praise and respect of the entire football community throughout the year.

Last season, that honor belonged to Chelsea, so it’s no surprise that the Blues are doing their best to stay on top for as long as possible. However, winning the Champions League title twice in a row is easier said than done, especially with the upcoming Premier League fixtures.

On top of that, the idea of ​​holding a trophy and then having it slip out of your hands puts even more pressure on the defending champion compared to teams that have nothing to lose. For this reason, the chances of Chelsea winning the UEFA Champions League again will not be so easy to predict.

Promising knockout stage

Last year, Chelsea managed to rise to the top despite playing without a star centre-forward and only spending a few months under Thomas Tuchel. Considering Tuchel has now fully implemented his tactics and Romelu Lukaku has stepped in, the Blues are definitely on the favorites list for the league final.

Moreover, other factors may also help Chelsea reach the Champions League final rather smoothly. According to the knockout stage schedule, the team has a good chance of keeping the UEFA Champions League trophy on their shelf.

First of all, their first opponent LOSC struggled to stay on top after winning Ligue 1 last season. Other than a win over PSG in August, they haven’t achieved any notable achievements. Additionally, when big-name players like Mike Maignan and Boubakary Soumare left the club, LOSC could not afford adequate replacements, which left the France squad vulnerable and less likely to leave a mark this year. .

Another thing that goes hand in hand with Chelsea’s plans to win the Champions League again is the timing of the team’s game against LOSC. Namely, Chelsea will play their first round of 16 a week after the meeting between PSG and Real Madrid. This match is significant since the team that will advance will be the opponent of the Blues in the round of 16.

In other words, this calendar will allow Tuchel to analyze his team’s rival and develop the attack plan accordingly.

Manchester City – The biggest rival

Even though Chelsea definitely have a chance to retain the Champions League trophy, we can’t help but draw attention to other strong teams who can challenge the Blues and take the throne this season.

The first choice, according to various bookmakers and football pundits, is Manchester City, a team that was just one step away from lifting the trophy last season. The Citizens will have Sporting Lisbon on the other side of the pitch. Based on their magnificent performance in the Premier League, there is no doubt that they are ready to give their best to lift the Champions League trophy this year.

Another team that looks to have a strong chance of winning the Champions League Cup this year is PSG – the top-ranked Ligue 1 side managed by Mauricio Pochettino. What’s interesting about PSG is the club’s history with Thomas Tuchel being fired due to his failure to win the Champions League, after which he transferred to Chelsea and fulfilled that dream. .

Maybe Tuchel could have helped PSG win the title if the team management had given him more time to do so. Nevertheless, Les Parisiens have some aces up their sleeve, like Messi, Sergio Ramos, Hakimi, Donnarumma and other high-value players. These guys are known for their ability to work magic on the pitch, which makes PSG a team to watch when it comes to this year’s UEFA Champions League.

Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx is reportedly interested in playing for Chelsea one day as he is a ‘big fan’ of the Blues.

The Belgian wonderkid has impressed in the Bundesliga, recently winning a brace for his side against Greuther Furth.

According to Bild via Sport Witness, Vranckx wants to play for Chelsea one day.

Borussia Dortmund are assessing star striker Erling Braut Haaland’s injury just weeks before the German giants face Rangers in the Europa League.

The 21-year-old Norwegian international striker is widely regarded as an exceptional talent and is already regarded as one of the best strikers in the world game.

But as Rangers prepare to travel to German shores for the first leg of their knockout clash with BVB on February 17, Dortmund boss Marco Rose has revealed the club are facing a sweat on the physical form of Erling Haaland.

This is after the former Salzburg star went to rest with a muscle complaint in the 3-2 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim at the weekend, with Haaland opening the scoring for his side.

Biggest STAR your club is trying to sign this month

The Norwegian striker would be substituted just after the hour mark for Axel Witsel, but coach Marco Rose was calm as the German side waited to find out the extent of the thigh problem before commenting.

“He felt something in his adductor. We have to wait and see,” Rose said. [Bundesliga News].

“I can’t say anything about Erling yet. First we need to examine it.

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland faces the sweat of Rangers Europa League

In what could potentially be his final year with Borussia Dortmund, Rangers fans now face a double-edged sword when it comes to Erling Haaland and his injury situation.

On the one hand – the one most Bears will want to play – Dortmund lose a standout player and Rangers have a better chance of winning the game over two legs.

But on the other hand, Rangers fans might miss the chance to see the striker play against their side as he prepares to potentially leave Dortmund.

Top European clubs such as Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are said to be interested in the striker, with Haaland’s release clause dropping to around £65million at the end of the season. [Marca].

A phenomenal goalscoring talent, Erling Haaland has scored 80 goals and provided 21 assists in just 79 games for Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking of phenomenal goalscoring skills, find out how a former Rangers youngster scored five goals in one game over the weekend, albeit at a considerably lower level.

What is the form of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16? Where do they stand in their domestic leagues and cups? With more than two months between the end of the group stage and the start of the knockout phase, UEFA.com is following the action.

Meet the Champions League Round of 16

Ajax

From Matchday 6: WWWWWWL (all competitions, most recent first)
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 15
Where they are: 1st in Eredivisie, Dutch Cup quarter-finals
Round of 16: Benfica, 23/02 (a) and 15/03 (h)

Atletico

Since Day 6: WLLDWWLLL 
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 1
Where they are: 4th in La Liga
Round of 16: Manchester United, 23/02 (h) and 15/03 (a)

bavaria

Since day 6: WWLWWW
Winter holidays: from December 18 to January 6
Where they are: 1st in the Bundesliga
Round of 16: Salzburg, 16/02 (a) and 08/03 (h)

Benfica

Since day 6: WDWLLWWW
winter break: none
Where they are: 3rd in La Liga, semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue
Round of 16: Ajax, 23/02 (h) and 15/03 (a)

chelsea

Since Day 6: WDLWWWDDWWDDW
winter break: scheduled from January 23 to February 7
Where they are: Premier League 3rd, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup final
Round of 16: LOSC, 02/22 (h) and 03/16 (a)

Inter

Since day 6: WWWWWWW
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 8
Where they are: 1st in Serie A, Coppa Italia quarter-finals
Round of 16: Liverpool, 16/02 (h) and 08/03 (a)

Juventus

Since Day 6: DWWLWDWWD
Winter holidays: from December 22 to January 5
Where they are: 5th in Serie A, Coppa Italia quarter-finals
Round of 16: Villarreal, 22/02 (a) and 16/03 (h)

liverpool

Since Day 6: WWWDWDLDDWW
winter break: scheduled from January 23 to February 7
Where they are: Premier League runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup final
Round of 16: Inter, 02/16 (a) and 03/08 (h)

LOSC

Since Day 6: LWDDWWD
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 3
Where they are: 10th in Ligue 1
Round of 16: Chelsea, 22/02 (a) and 16/03 (h)

Manchester City

Since Day 6: DWWWWWWW
winter break: scheduled from January 23 to February 7
Where they are: Premier League 1st, FA Cup fourth round
Round of 16: Sporting CP, 15/02 (a) and 09/03 (h)

Manchester United

Since Day 6: WWDWLWDW
winter break: scheduled from January 23 to February 7
Where they are: 4th in the Premier League, fourth round in the FA Cup
Round of 16: Atlético, 23/02 (a) and 15/03 (h)

Paris

Since Day 6: WWDWDWW
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 2
Where they are: 1st in Ligue 1, knockout stages of the Coupe de France
Round of 16: Real Madrid, 15/02 (h) and 09/03 (a)

real Madrid

Since Day 6: DWWWWLWDW
Winter holidays: from December 23 to January 1
Where they are: 1st in La Liga, Copa del Rey quarter-finals
Round of 16: Paris, 02/15 (a) and 03/09 (h)

Salzburg

Since day 6: W
Winter holidays: from December 12 to February 3
Where they are: Bundesliga 1st, Austrian Cup quarter-finals
Round of 16: Bayern, 02/16 (a) and 03/08 (h)

sports CP

Since day 6: LWWLWWWW
winter break: none
Where they are: 2nd in La Liga, Portuguese Cup semi-finals, League Cup semi-finals
Round of 16: Men. City, 02/15 (h) and 03/09 (a)

Villarreal

Since Day 6: WLDLWWWW
Winter holidays: from December 22 to January 2
Where they are: 7th in La Liga
Round of 16: Juventus, 22/02 (h) and 16/03 (a)