Bayern Munich vs Lazio
Bayern Munich welcome Lazio in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 with everything to play for. A 1-0 home win for the Italians in the first leg drew the ire of Bayern’s management, who then decided to release head coach Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season. It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Bavarians, who are now 10 points behind Bayern Leverkusen at the summit of the Bundesliga. The reigning German champions have also exited in the DFB Pokal Cup.
A combination of poor form and injuries to key players has been detrimental to Bayern’s chances of success this season. Despite striker Harry Kane proving his worth and scoring a combined 31 goals in all competitions, Bayern have been woeful to say the least and look likely to end the season without a trophy. Tuchel’s side will be missing four key players ahead of the second leg showdown, with Sacha Boey, Noussair Mazraoui and Kingsley Coman among the injured absentees. Dayot Upamecano is ineligible for the game having received a red card at Stadio Olimpico.
The cracks in Lazio’s indifferent form were papered over by their tight 1-0 win in the first leg. Maurizio Sarri’s side have defaulted since that momentous win, going on lose in three of the following league encounters. Lazio, who are 9th on the league, have collected 40 points with 11 games remaining. Without the injured key centre-back Patric, the Biancocelesti have only kept one clean sheet in four of their previous encounters.
Tuchel’s side have not kept a clean sheet in their six previous games, a run that included just two league wins. Meanwhile, Lazio have conceded eight times in the last six games. A packed Allianz Arena will provide the necessary impetus for stuttering Bayern and that will be key against this inconsistent Lazio side.
Prediction: Bayern Munich Straight Win
Real Sociedad vs Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain visit Spain with only one goal in mind; secure passage into the quarterfinals and eventually clinch the title in Wembley in June. On the other side, the hosts look frail and confused as they look to overturn a 2-0 first leg defeat at the hands of PSG.
Sociedad has fallen from their highs of the beginning of the season, when they were constantly punching above their weight in the top four despite juggling the Champions League with a small squad. Sociedad have since been eliminated in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals and are seventh on the log on 40 points. They are on the brink of elimination in the Champions League, having suffered a 2-0 defeat in the away fixture. Sociedad have lost their previous two home games with an aggregate of 4-1. The home side are yet to win in nine straight fixtures in all competitions, a run stretching back to 23 January.
Although they haven’t consistently displayed great football under Luis Enrique, PSG have steadily grinded results in all competitions. The Parisians lead the Ligue 1 by nine points and have a near semi-final date in the Coupe de France. Ahead of the second-leg, the Parisians are unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions, their last defeat coming from in November against AC Milan in the Champions League. Enrique’s decision to substitute Kylian Mbappe in the previous two league games have come under scrutiny, with both fixtures ending in stalemates. The Spaniard’s gameplan with Mbappe remains a mystery ahead of the Basque visit on Tuesday.
The first leg lacked substance and edge from both clubs, although PSG’s double in the second-half sealed an important away win. PSG have won their previous three fixtures on the road while Sociedad are winless in three home fixtures. The odds suggest qualification for PSG over their dismal opponents. Even without the involvement of Mbappe, the Parisians have enough on their arsenal to hurt Sociedad.
Prediction: PSG/Draw
