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Two of Europe's biggest teams, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, are set to lock horns in the Champions League Round of 16 this season. With the first leg in Paris set to kick-off tonight, the excitement and anxiety surrounding the tie is at a all-time high.
Given the number of match-winners in both teams, predicting the outcome of the tie is hardly a straightforward affair. But keen as we are, we can't help but make some bold predictions for the two-legged extravaganza that is to follow.
Will Real Madrid prevail or crash out at the hands of the star-studded PSG? Read on to learn about our predictions for the long-awaited Champions League Round of 16 clash:
#5 Vinicius, Benzema, and Asensio to outshine Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar
Ligue 1 giants PSG arguably have the most coveted front three in the world right now. The quality of Neymar, the genius of Lionel Messi, and the explosiveness of Kylian Mbappe can, on paper, overwhelm any team in the world.
Unfortunately, the trio have rarely played together since the start of the season, meaning they might not have the coordination needed to outclass Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos’ front three of Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior may not be as high-profile as PSG’s, but they are definitely more coordinated.
They understand each other well and know how to lift each other up in clutch matches. If they remain on song and can read each other’s cues, as usual, the Parisians’ more decorated front-three might have an embarrassment on their hands.
#4 Luka Modric to be the standout midfielder over the two legs
Both PSG and Real Madrid have some exceptional midfielders at their disposal. While Paris Saint-Germain have the likes of Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes and Wijnaldum, Madrid have an ever-reliable trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro.
Any one of these players can make a telling impact over two legs, but we are backing the Croatian to prove his mettle once again.
The 36-year-old may very well be the oldest midfielder in the tie but that does not make him any less qualified. Even in the twilight of his career, he can run tirelessly, produce defense-slitting passes, and can score audacious long-rangers.
Over the two Round of 16 legs against PSG, we are expecting Modric’s quality to shine through and overwhelm the Parisians’ midfield.
Don’t be surprised to see him walk away with a Man of the Match award in the highly-anticipated tie.
#3 Vinicius Junior to be the player of the tie
Real Madrid and PSG have two of the most exciting forwards of this generation in Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, respectively. Both are excellent dribblers, are freakishly quick, and have an arsenal of tricks at their disposal.
PSG’s Kylian Mbappe is easily the more decorated star, but given Vinicius’ trajectory this season, we are backing him to outshine the Frenchman. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian left-winger has looked calmer, more collected and comprehensively more decisive in the final third this season.
His link-up play with Karim Benzema has been excellent as well and could help Los Blancos breach the Parisians’ resistance.
The former Flamengo star has scored 15 goals and registered 10 assists in all competitions this season, emerging as the team’s second-leading goalscorer behind Benzema.
The Champions League Round of 16 clash against PSG will be Vinicius’ biggest test this season, and we’re backing the 21-year-old to pass with flying colors.
#2 PSG's Lionel Messi will fail to score at the Santiago Bernabeu
Former Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi has easily been Real Madrid’s greatest adversary since the start of the century. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner tormented Los Blancos during his time with the Blaugrana, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists in 45 games across competitions.
PSG are hoping to see the Argentine reclaim his Barcelona form and land a knockout punch against Madrid over two legs.
The 34-year-old could turn on the charm against Los Merengues at the Parc des Princes and make a telling impact. However, we are not expecting him to do much damage at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi has had a tough time scoring against Madrid in recent matches, failing to score in eight matches for the Blaugrana.
On paper, Paris Saint-Germain are a considerably stronger team than Barcelona, but we aren’t expecting miracles at the Bernabeu in the second leg in March.
#1 Real Madrid to advance to the quarter-finals
The Champions League Round of 16 affair between PSG and Real Madrid has all the makings of a classic. We have two great teams with plenty of firepower and an insatiable hunger for success.
Calling a winner is almost an impossible job, but if we still had to take a pick, we’d have to go with Los Merengues here.
Of course, PSG are clearly the superior team here in terms of individual quality. However, they are not as well-drilled as a team as the men in White.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also has immense experience in the Champions League, which could also go in their favor.
It is destined to be a closely-contested affair, but the Whites’ experience in the Champions League might just tilt the scales in their favor.
