Pressure will be high on the home side and this is where the character of some of the high-profile players will be tested. Opponents Atletico Madrid have won all their three games since the draw in the first leg against Manchester United. They look the better of the two teams, at least on paper.
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are set to make a comeback in the starting eleven for Chelsea with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz missing out. Saul has struggled for game time since joining the Blues and he will look to impress Tuchel.
The Reds will be keen to close the gap with defending champions to three points when they take on Leeds United at home. Leeds United have suffered three defeats in the last four matches and they are getting closer to the drop zone. They need a positive result to lift the mood of the squad but Anfield is another acid test.
The Red Devils are not having the best of campaigns and the top European prize is their only chance of silverware this season. With back-to-back wins in the league, the morale of the team is good but playing in the Champions League is no easy feat. Atletico Madrid have a similar story to share with the team poor from the start of the season.
The Bianconeri finished above defending champions Chelsea in the group stage and hence they have got Villareal, which at least on paper looks a favourable tie. But the recent form of the Spanish side would portray otherwise. The Yellow Submarines have won seven out of their last ten games and gave a tough fight to Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup.
Having finished behind Juventus in the group stage, Thomas Tuchel’s men have done well to avoid the European powerhouses and will be relatively confident facing Lille. The French side have been inconsistent throughout the campaign and their latest disappointing 0-0 draw with Metz frustrated fans further.
The Red Devils bounced back to form with a victory over Brighton in their last game and they would now face Leeds, who are without a Premier League victory since January 16. With Arsenal and Spurs winning their respective games, the pressure would be on Manchester United to secure a victory and stay alive in the top-four race.
It will be a massive achievement for Stefano Pioli if he guides his team through to the tile with Milan suffering from years of underachievement. Opponents Salernitana are rock bottom in the league and look set to drop out to the second tier unless there are massive changes in their form.
Spurs have not been in their best form of late and this fixture against the defending champions would be a test for Antonio Conte and his side. Tottenham Hotspur are still in the top four race but a defeat at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s men will further the downward slide. For Manchester City, the job is simple – continue doing what they have been from the start of the campaign.
The La Liga leaders would be aiming to return back to winning ways after a drab draw against Villareal, which was followed by a defeat at the hands of PSG in the UEFA Champions League. Earlier, they had been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey after losing against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona vs Napoli clash in the UEFA Europa League 2021-22 playoffs will be played at the Camp Nou on February 17, 2021 (Thursday). The game has a scheduled time of 11:15 pm IST (Indian Standard Time).
Inter Milan vs Liverpool clash in UEFA Champions League 2021-22 will be played at the San Siro Stadium on February 17, 2022 (Thursday). The game has a scheduled time of 01:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich clash in UEFA Champions League 2021-22 will be played at the Red Bull Arena Salzburg on February 17, 2022 (Thursday). The game has a scheduled time of 01:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
The Manchester United vs Brighton Premier League 2021-22 match will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester. The football game will be held on February 16, 2022 (Wednesday) and is scheduled to begin at 01:45 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
PSG vs Real Madrid clash in UEFA Champions League 2021-22 will be played at the Parc des Princes on February 16, 2022 (Wednesday). The game has a scheduled time of 01:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
Sporting CP vs Manchester City clash in UEFA Champions League 2021-22 will be played at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 16, 2022 (Wednesday). The game has a scheduled time of 01:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
The Bianconeri currently occupy the final UCL berth with 45 points from 24 games. Two shy of them are hosts Atalanta and also hold a game in hand which is the real deal. If they are able to defeat Juventus in their own backyard this evening, it should give them a major boost.
Xavi has come in and done a remarkable job at the Catalan club and they currently occupy the fifth spot in the points table, just a point shy of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid. The race for the Champions League spot is getting heated in Spain with Villareal and Real Sociedad all within touching distance of a top-four place.
A five-game winning run in all competition speaks about the form Liverpool are currently in and with some key players back from the AFCON, Liverpool are in a strong position ahead of the business end of the tournament. Burnley meanwhile, are rock bottom in the points table and must reverse their dwindling fortunes soon if they are to stay in English football’s premier tier.
With Inter Milan and Napoli playing out a tepid draw yesterday in their match, the stage is set for Milan to take over the baton from Inter to be the new leaders in Italy. With three wins in the last five games, the Rossoneri are in decent form and will be raring to beat Sampdoria.
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