The knockout rounds of the Champions League are finally here, with Tuesday’s action featuring the first leg of two matches that could easily see either club advance through to the quarterfinals.
Manchester United will host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their home-and-away series, while Italian side Roma gets the honor of hosting the first leg against Porto.
Buffon: Neymar Injury is ‘Problem’ for PSG
When PSG was first paired against Manchester United, it may have looked like a relatively easy assignment for the French side – at least by the high standards of the Champions League knockout rounds.
But the situation has changed dramatically over the past two months. First, United has been a different team since the firing of former manager Jose Mourinho, with the club having won eight of its nine Premier League matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over stewardship of the team.
PSG then took a huge blow when Neymar was ruled out until April with a metatarsal injury. Losing one of the world’s greatest playmakers could be decisive, and even PSG’s own players have admitted that their chances would be better with Neymar on the field.
“I think this is a problem for us,†PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon told CNN before Tuesday’s match. “I’m not sure if it’s a big problem or a little one. I hope it’s only a small problem and that we are nevertheless a team that can thrive without him, it would give us great strength and confidence.â€
Meanwhile, United forward Alexis Sanchez told the Mirror that he sees a clear path to victory for his side.
“If we win at Old Trafford and we don’t concede, then I think we would be favorites for the second leg,†Sanchez said. “I think we can do that and I see this United team with a lot of chances to score in Paris.â€
William Hill thinks that United has a good chance to win at home, giving the Red Devils 5/4 odds of coming out ahead. But the bookmaker still gives PSG (4/7) the edge when it comes to advancement to the quarterfinals, while United (5/4) is considered a slight underdog to get through on aggregate after both matches are completed.
Champions League Success Could Reinvigorate Roma
Tuesday’s other matchup sees struggling Roma – currently sixth in Serie A – play host to defending Portuguese champions FC Porto. This has the potential to be one of the tightest battles in the Round of 16, with William Hill offering 5/6 odds on either team of advancing.
Naturally, Roma is a slight favorite at home in the first leg. According to manager Eusebio Di Francesco, Tuesday’s match could be just what his team needs to turn around their season.
“This game is a great chance to produce a big performance and bring back some enthusiasm,†Di Francesco told reporters. “There are only two Italian sides left in the competition, we are proud to be one of them. We have to aim high.â€
Meanwhile, Porto will have to get by without top scorer Moussa Marega, as the 29-year-old forward has been ruled out for two months with a muscle strain in his left thigh.
Of the teams competing Tuesday, PSG (8/1) is given the best chance of winning the Champions League this season. Manchester United (22/1) is considered a dark horse contender, while both Roma (80/1) and Porto (90/1) are given little chance of becoming European champions.
At 80/1 Roma could be worth a flyer.