UCL Preview: Liverpool host Bayern, Ronaldo returns to Madrid to face Atletico

Champions League eighth-final continues! Welcome to our All Football Champions League Preview!

Liverpool vs Bayern Munich

Kick off: 21:00(CET)

Date: Tue, 19-Feb-19

Probable Lineups: 

Focus:

Virgil van Dijk is suspended for the first leg of Liverpool's last-16 tie with Bayern Munich and that is a huge blow for Liverpool. Fabinho will partner Joel Matip at the back if Dejan Lovren fails to recover from injury in time. Xherdan Shaqiri is an injury doubt but was always likely going to start on the bench against his former club. Roberto Firmino missed training on Monday and is suffering from a virus.

Liverpool have had over a week to prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich. The Reds have only lost once at home all season in all competitions and that was back in September. Jurgen Klopp has lost more matches against Bayern (16) than any other team in his managerial career but is arguably getting them at their most vulnerable now.

Manuel Neuer proved his fitness in Friday's 3-2 win over Augsburg and will start here. Kinglsey Coman gave Bayern Munich an injury scare on Friday but the club have confirmed he will be fit to face Liveprool.James Rodriguez may have blown his opportunity to start at Anfield after an underwhelming showing against Augsburg. Bayern have conceded eight goals in four away matches in 2019. Bayern Munich struggled to overcome Augsburg on Friday night, twice coming from behind, but Niko Kovac admitted his side made the mistake of looking ahead to their match with Liverpool instead of focusing on Augsburg.

Prediction:

Liverpool 2-1 Bayern Munich

Lyon vs Barcelona

Kick off: 21:00(CET)

Date: Tue, 19-Feb-19

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Lyon star Nabil Fekir is suspended for the first leg and that is a huge blow for the French side. Jason Denayer and Tanguy NDombele, who both would normally start for Lyon, could also be missing for the home team.

Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele have both recovered from injury problems in recent weeks and will be fine to start on Tuesday. With Arthur ruled out for the rest of the month with a hamstring injury, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic should be safe to play either side of Sergio Busquets in midfield.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last six but have drawn three of their last four in all competitions. They have struggled to score goals in recent matches, failing to net more than once in each of their last three outings. That will be a concern for Ernesto Valverde.

Prediction:

Lyon 1-2 Barcelona

Atletico Madrid vs Juventus

Kick off: 21:00(CET)

Date: Wed, 20-Feb-19

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Diego Costa returned from injury at the weekend after two months out but he may have to settle for a place on the bench here. Jose Gimenez and Stevan Savic compete for a spot at centre-back, while Alvaro Morata should start against former club Juventus.

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini both recovered from injury on Friday and started Juventus' 3-0 win over Frosinone. Mario Mandzukic has developed into a really important player for Juventus this season and will start against his former club.

Cristiano Ronaldo has fond memories of knocking out Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Juventus signed the 34-year-old for these occasions and there will be pressure on him to guide the Old Lady through to the next round.

Prediction:

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Juventus

Schalke 04 vs Manchester City

Kick off: 21:00(CET)

Date: Wed, 20-Feb-19

Probable Lineups:

Focus:

Former City defender Matija Nastasic will line up against his former club on Wednesday, while Sebastian Rudy, who was linked with a move to City in January, will also start.

Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany are both injury concerns for Manchester City and are unlikely to feature.

Danilo or Oleksandr Zinchenko will start at left-back for Pep Guardiola's side. Leroy Sane may have to settle for a place on the bench against his former club. City have won their last four matches and 12 of their last 13. Pep Guardiola is unbeaten in six matches against Schalke as a manager.

Prediction:

Schalke 04 0-3 Manchester City