Champions League Preview- Round of 16

The most eagerly anticipated match of the round is surely Real Madrid vs PSG. The amount of world class players on show is endless and the pressure on each team to deliver even bigger than ever. Real Madrid have struggled this year greatly and currently sit 4th in La Liga, 17 points behind rivals Barcelona. I think this is down to mental tiredness. This group of players have won the Champions League in 3 of the last 4 years which is an incredible feat. Most teams would settle with 1 for a few years, but not Madrid. Also finally winning the league in 2017. This must have led to less desire from players to dig in and win matches this season, or even to scrape a point. It is easier to get to the top than stay there. PSG on the other hand are back to normality being atop Ligue 1 and are most likely going to win it. However, it is the Champions League where PSG need to be making waves and having added Neymar to the ranks they surely have to win it at some point. PSG have always been a nearly team on the biggest stage having fallen victim to Barcelona last year in what was arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history, maybe even football history. I still vividly remember Neymar's chipped ball(ironic) through to Sergi Roberto who helped it on its way in to secure their passage to the next round. Also, who can forget the reaction from the BT Sport pundits with Lineker, Ferdinand, Owen and Gerrard all going wild.

Real Madrid head into the match off the back of a 5-2 win where Cristiano Ronaldo bagged another hat-trick in his career and I'm sure the Madrid fans will be hoping he turns up tonight, like he has done throughout the Champions League having scored 9 goals in 6 games. However his and the rest of his team mates performances have been well below par and they seem to be playing much more like individuals rather than a team, which is what has made them such a threat in recent years. Going through Defence, midfield and attack quickly and concisely, but also working back as an organised group. This just has not been done enough this season and it has showed. Also, Benzema seems to be on the downhill and Bale just is not fit enough to play consistently.

PSG are coming off a 1-0 away win but have been extremely impressive this season, predominantly in attack where they have an embarrassment of riches. Neymar, Cavani, Mbappe and Di Maria have worked impressively when together. Di Maria has been the one to usually miss out in the Champions League, but has recently been greatly involved in the league. Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe have amassed 16 goals between them in the group stage which is a frightening prospect for the Madrid backline.

I am expecting and hoping for an open and exciting match filled with goals. Both teams have attack minded full backs which will leave plenty of space for the likes of Ronaldo and Neymar to exploit. I think if Real Madrid play a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 I think this may play into PSG's strength in their full back areas, especially with Dani Alves playing. I think Madrid should match PSG's 4-3-3 to make sure they have cover in wide areas. Although PSG are away and Real Madrid always seem to turn up on big nights, it just looks a bit too much for them and I think PSG will win the game 1-3.