'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UEFA Champions League group stage has drawn to a close. Quite predictably, most European giants have waltzed their way into the Round of 16. However, there were quite a few surprises as well with the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund already sent packing from Europe's elite competition.
The teams that finished at the top of their respective groups will be drawn against one of the sides that finished as runners-up. They will also have the added advantage of playing the second leg at home.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw is done
The Champions League Round of 16 draw took place in Switzerland today. The fixture list is as follows:
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
Trending
Chelsea vs LOSC Lille
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City
Villarreal vs Juventus
Benfica vs Ajax
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the favorites to win the UEFA Champions League this season.
Honorable mention: Chelsea
Chelsea have been able to grind out results this season and a 4-0 win over Juventus must have done their confidence a world of good. However, the Blues have not exactly been at their best in recent weeks. Thomas Tuchel's side are known for their defensive organization.
In fact, it was their frugality at the back that helped them win the Champions League last term. However, the Blues have conceded in all of their last five games across all competitions. They have shipped in nine goals in their last five matches and that has to be a cause for concern for Tuchel.
Chelsea will play LOSC Lille in the Champions League Round of 16.
#5 Paris Saint-Germain
Things are yet to fully fall into place for the Ligue 1 giants. Their output has not matched the expectations that came riding on the back of an array of high-profile signings they made in the summer. PSG are yet to fully hit their stride but have offered flashes of what they can do when all their superstars are on the same page.
PSG won against Manchester City at the Parc des Princes in the group stage but they lost the reverse fixture at the Etihad. They beat Club Brugge in both meetings while drawing one and securing a win in the other against RB Leipzig.
Kylian Mbappe has been in great form for Mauricio Pochettino's men. Neymar Jr. has not been near his best and neither has Lionel Messi in Ligue 1. But the latter is showing signs of hitting his stride and PSG could yet kick into top gear by the time the Champions League knockout stages start.
They will face off against Real Madrid. It should be an exciting contest between two well-matched sides.
#4 Real Madrid
Save for a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Sheriff Tiraspol, Real Madrid's Champions League campaign has been blotless so far. They won five of their six games and scored 14 goals in the process while conceding just three.
Los Blancos are in good form. They are currently on a 10-game winning streak across all competitions. Carlo Ancelotti's men beat Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in their last five matchups.
Real Madrid have an array of in-form players right now. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. have been playing spectacularly well. Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were an absolute treat to watch against Atletico Madrid.
David Alaba and Eder Militao have formed a wonderful partnership at centre-back. Real Madrid have been drawn against PSG in what should be an exciting contest.
#3 Manchester City
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have become one of the most consistent units in Europe. They are proficient in a multitude of ways in which they can hurt the opposition.
Manchester City can pull off high-octane counter attacks and break down low blocks with their intricate passing and technical excellence with the same level of ease. City were drawn into a tough group alongside Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge.
They conceded defeats against PSG and RB Leipzig but did enough to finish at the top of Group A. Manchester City will play Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16. The Cityzens have enough quality to get past their Portuguese opponents.
#2 Liverpool
Despite being drawn in a group with the likes of Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Porto, Liverpool were expected to prevail. But no one could have predicted just how dominantly they'd accomplish it.
The Merseysiders ran riot, beating all the other teams twice. Mohamed Salah has been in irrepressible form and has been scoring for fun. Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota are playing really well. They have a very efficient midfield and Thiago is starting to once again look like the world-class player he is.
Virgil van Dijk continues to be one of the best centre-backs in the world. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson provide plenty of thrust and creativity from the flanks. In Alisson Becker, they have a world-class goalkeeper.
This Liverpool side is well-rounded and they are capable of playing heavy metal football and blowing teams away with it. Klopp's men will square off against Inter Milan in the Round of 16.
#1 Bayern Munich
Yet another side that has won all six of their games in the group stage, Bayern Munich seem intent on replicating their heroics from the 2019-20 season. The Bavarians have looked imperious, beating Barcelona twice by a 3-0 scoreline in the group stage.
Robert Lewandowski's incredible goalscoring form has helped them ease past opponents. Julian Nagelsmann's philosophy is gradually taking shape at the Allianz Arena. With the kind of world-class personnel they've got on their payroll, sky is the limit for the Bavarians.
They scored a whopping 22 goals while conceding just three in six games in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Bayern Munich will face RB Salzburg in the Round of 16.
