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As the group stages of Europe's elite club competition, UEFA Champions League wrapped up last night, only 16 clubs remain in the competition. Even if the competition features Europe's best teams, one interesting piece of trivia is the fact that none of the 32 teams managed to clinch all the maximum 18 points that were up for grabs.
The top 16 teams that managed to secure first and second positions respectively, in the eight groups were as follows:
Group A: Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid
Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur
Group C: Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool FC
Group D: FC Porto, Schalke 04
Group E: Bayern Munchen, Ajax
Group F: Manchester City, Lyon
Group G: Real Madrid, Roma
Group H: Juventus, Manchester United
With all the 16 teams being the deadliest teams in Europe, the stage is set for some mouth-watering clashes in the Round of 16, the draw for which will be held on the 17th of December 2018 in Nyon, Switzerland.
Let's look at the picks for top 5 potential Round of 16 clashes which will be a clash of some European giants - some previous champions and some worthy contenders!
Disclaimer: There are multiple possible draws for each team in the RO16. But these 5 clashes would be amazing to watch.
#1 Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool FC
There is no doubt that Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool are currently Europe's most attacking lineups, and their first and second positions respectively in different groups hand out a potential Round of 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League.
It will not be the first return for Jurgen Klopp at the Signal Iduna Park where he spent 7 successful seasons winning the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup with the German club. Liverpool and Dortmund clashed in the Europa League two seasons ago where the English club prevailed with a 5-4 aggregate.
What makes the clash so mouth-watering is the attacking lineup of both the squads - Marco Reus, Paco Alcacer, Mario Gotze and Jadon Sancho against Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Both the clubs are currently on top of their respective national leagues.
#2 Manchester City v Atletico Madrid
Interestingly, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid have never faced each other in the Champions League, neither in the group stage, nor in the knock-out stages. But, this season's position after the group stage sets both the top flight clubs up for a lucrative clash.
Atletico Madrid may not be in their dream form which they have carried since the past few seasons, both in Spain and in Europe, but that does not stop them from pulling an impressive clash against any top team in the world right now.
With the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Saul Niguez, Diego Costa, Thomas Lemar and Koke in the squad, Atletico Madrid are a force to reckon with at their new home, the Wanda Metropolitano.
But English Champions Manchester City are touted as Europe's best team currently by many pundits across the globe and that promises a huge clash if they are drawn against Diego Simeone's Atletico.
Sergio Aguero might just be fit again for the next round of the Champions League, and even in his absence City, boasts an amazing squad with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane having the season of their lives.
#3 Barcelona v Manchester United
Last few times the Catalan giants and the English giants have met in a competitive fixture, it has always been a final of the competition.
While Manchester United just edged past Valencia to secure the second spot in Group H, Barcelona dominated Group B, staying unbeaten so far in this year's Champions League.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho knows Barcelona in and out, having been at the club as an interpreter and then assistant manager before returning to the club as an opposition manager during his time at Real Madrid.
While Manchester United are facing their own crisis in the Premier League this season, Barcelona, even if being top of the La Liga, are not having the best of their seasons if compared to their previous years' performances.
It would be a head to head midfield battle if the clubs clash in the Round of 16, with Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Fred battling their way through Barca's dominant trio of Arthur Melo, Philippe Coutinho and Lionel Messi. Not to miss both the clubs' strikers, Luis Suarez and Romelu Lukaku, who can be lethal in front of the goal on occasions.
#4 Paris Saint-Germain v Tottenham Hotspur
With Paris Saint-Germain's young guns marking their arrival at the world stage, the French Champions are all set to challenge for this year's Champions League, but only if they can escape the scare of their potential Round of 16 opposition - Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham had a difficult group in the Champions League so far with them sharing spots with Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV, but the North Londoners have dominated in the Premier League whenever they were under the spotlight.
PSG have had a bad time facing English oppositions, having lost to Liverpool in England already this season and having had a difficult past having lost to Chelsea a few seasons ago on away goals.
But with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani forming Europe's deadliest attacking trio, the English curse for PSG might not seem very likely.
One thing which has shone for Tottenham is their back four and goal-keeper captain Hugo Lloris as the Frenchman is emulating his form from this year's World Cup glory.
Irrespective, it will be a worthy clash if the two teams face-off in the Round of 16 this season.
#5 Juventus v Liverpool
Juventus announced their Champions League title challenge this season when they signed Mr. UCL - Cristiano Ronaldo from last year's champions Real Madrid.
The already pacy attack of Juventus got a boost by the arrival of Ronaldo, as they already boasted the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Miralem Pjanic and Douglas Costa.
Liverpool finishing second in their group brings up a possibility of them clashing with the Italians and Cristiano would love it as he has faced Liverpool innumerable times with Manchester United and also Real Madrid.
Another attacking fixture is on the cards as Liverpool and Juventus are teams which contain names which are possibly the best attacking players in the world right now.
Both the clubs are touted as favourites to be in the last four of Europe's most elite competition and if they face each other so soon in the tournament, there will definitely be a big upset for one of the sides.
The Champions League draw will be held on Monday at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, followed by the UEFA Europa League draw, on the same day.
