Champions League Draw

Fresh off the presses, here is the Champions League draw for the Round of 16, which will take place on February 16/17 and 23/24 (Round 1) and March 9/10 and 16/17.

AC Milan v. Man Utd (2/16 & 3/10)

Lyon v. Real Madrid (2/16 & 3/10)

Bayern Munich v. Fiorentina (2/17 & 3/9)

Porto v. Arsenal (2/17 & 3/9)

VfB Stuttgart v. Barcelona (2/23 & 3/17)

Olympiakos v. Bordeaux (2/23 & 3/17)

Internazionale v. Chelsea (2/24 & 3/16)

CSKA Moscow v. Sevilla (2/24 & 3/16)

La Liga Breakdown:

• Barcelona got a favorable draw against Vfb Stuttgart in their quest to become the first team in the CL era to win the competition two years on the trot.
  
• As for their La Liga peers, Real Madrid will face a tough test against Karim Benzema's old club, Lyon. But apparently the French side are pleased, as they would rather face Real than say Chelsea...or Barca.
  
• Sevilla drew CSKA Moscow in the least glamorous draw of the La Liga teams. And it seems that the Russians are comfortable with their opponents, despite Sevilla taking first place in their group stage group.
  

Prediction: We tip all Spanish clubs to progress beyond this stage.

EPL Low-down:

• Looks like David Beckham got his wish; really, who is UEFA to deny old golden balls? In any event, Manchester will be looking to improve their record against their Italian opposition, which, historically, hasn't been the best. So even though Milan would appear to be the weaker side in terms of current league position, United will only have to look to their bipolar two leg experience in 2007 to understand the immensity of their opposition.
  
• In what should be a cracking match, Chelsea got Serie A leaders, Internazionale. Beyond pitting the league front runners against one another, the draw will bring the return of Murinho to Stamford Bridge. Let the posturing begin...
  
• Finally, Arsenal drew the lone Portuguese side, Porto. Considering, the north London club will get to play the second leg at home, they should be especially happy with the draw.
  

Prediction: Arsenal and Chelsea will move on, while Man Utd will fall to a Milan side that always gets up for CL games.

The Rest:

• Olympiakos and Bordeaux will meet in the knock-out stage. While an aura of mutual respect pervades, it will be difficult for the Greeks to overcome the French champions, if only for one game changer: Yoann Gourcuff.
  
• Bayern Munich received the more favorable draw of the two German sides and are set to face Fiorentina, currently in ninth place in Serie A. The Bavarians will be looking forward to this match for a variety of reasons, not least because of their relative success last year against the Italian side.
  

Prediction: Bordeaux and Bayern will be booking their places in the final eight.