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UCL Preview: Juve & CR7 eager for a miraculous comeback; City aiming for last 8

  /  Will_Lee_15

The Champions League round of 16 continues! Welcome to our All Football Champions League Preview!

Juventus vs Atletico Madrid

First Leg Result: Atletico 2-0 Juventus: Gimenez & Godin keep CR7 quiet AND score winning goals

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Probable Lineups

Missing Players

Juventus: Sami Khedira (injured), Juan Cuadrado (injured), Douglas Costa (injured), Alex Sandro (suspended)

Atletico: Lucas Hernández (injured), Filipe Luís (injured), Thomas Partey (suspended), Diego Costa (suspended)

Juventus Team News

Alex Sandro is suspended having picked up a third yellow card of the tournament in Madrid, while Blaise Matuidi is one caution away from missing any potential quarter-final first leg.

Leonardo Bonucci and Paulo Dybala were among those rested from kick-off at the weekend, while the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio, Matuidi, Mario Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo played no part whatsoever against Udinese.

Joao Cancelo and Miralem Pjanic will also be well rested having been suspended at the weekend, while Juan Cuadrado, Sami Khedira and Douglas Costa are all sidelined.

Atletico Madrid Team News

The big problem for Diego Simeone comes at left-back, with both Filipe Luis and Lucas Hernandez ruled out through injury.

Elsewhere Thomas Partey and Diego Costa are both suspended, though Alvaro Morata is available to return to his former club.

Jose Gimenez, Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann are all one booking away from a suspension that would rule them out of the first leg of the quarter-finals should they progress.

Focus

Juventus have a mountain to climb after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg but have dropped points in just three matches at home in all competitions this season and will be confident of turning the tables.

Atletico have not been strong on the road all season, winning just seven matches in all competitions, but their defensive record will mean that this is an incredibly tough task for the hosts.

WhoScored Prediction

 Juventus 1-0 Atletico Madrid

Manchester City vs Schalke 04

First Leg Result: Schalke 2-3 Man City: Sane & Sterling save 10-man visitors in final 10 mins

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Probable Lineups

Missing Players

Man City: Nicolás Otamendi (suspended), Fernandinho (suspended), Vincent Kompany (injured & doubtful), John Stones (injured & doubtful), Kevin De Bruyne (injured & doubtful), Sergio Agüero(injured & doubtful)

Schalke: Alessandro Schöpf (injured), Daniel Caligiuri (injured), Omar Mascarell (injured & doubtful)

Manchester City Team News

Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho are both suspended for the home side and with John Stones a doubt, Vincent Kompany should deputise for the former alongside Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the defence.

Claudio Bravo is back in training, but isn't expected to feature here, while Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero will be assessed, while the latter is one booking away from a ban.

Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane weren't part of the starting XI against Watford, but should feature from the off at the expense of Aguero and Riyad Mahrez.

Schalke 04 Team News

Key man Daniel Caligiuri joins Alessandro Schopf on the sidelines, with Weston McKennie set to start on the right.

Omar Mascarell is a doubt and will be assessed ahead of their visit to the Etihad Stadium.

Focus

Manchester City secured a late 3-2 win at Schalke in the first leg to put themselves in the driver's seat to secure their spot in the next round of the Champions League. Having won their last nine, Pep Guardiola will demand his side maintain their focus to not lead their lead slip here.

Conversely, Schalke are struggling having failed to win their last six, losing five. On the road, they have won only one of their last nine matches, so it will take a monumental effort to secure their place in the next round of the Champions League.

WhoScored Prediction

Manchester City 3-0 Schalke 04