Champions League 2024/25 predictions: Round of 16 second legs | OneFootball

Last week's first legs served as a mere teaser for what's bound to unfold over the next couple of evening of Champions League round of 16 action.

With the two teams in half of the ties currently separated by no more than a single goal, we can only expect more of the trademark tension and chaos this competition supplies.

Handbrakes are bound to be released for the second legs, and the two highest-profile ties of the round are set for unforgettable finales this week.

Here's how 90min is predicting the Champions League round of 16 second legs to play out.

Tuesday 11 March

PSG were dominant against Liverpool in Paris but have a deficit to make up in Anfield / Anadolu/GettyImages

Barcelona had to dig deep to win in Lisbon last week after Pau Cubarsi's first half dismissal, and their eventual 1-0 victory over Benfica was aided by a vintage Wojciech Szczesny performance between the sticks. Raphinha proved the difference-maker again, with his strike from distance separating the two teams.

Barca weren't in action at the weekend as their La Liga fixture with Osasuna was postponed due to the sudden death of club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia before kick-off. Thus, an emotional night in Catalonia is expected with Hansi Flick's side aiming to ease into the last eight.

Inter will also be hoping to enjoy a stress-free evening after they won 2-0 at De Kuip last Wednesday. Bayern Munich and their crosstown rivals both succumbed in Rotterdam this year, but Simone Inzaghi's Nerazzurri produced a typically measured display in the first leg to hand them full control of the tie.

Feyenoord, now led by Robin van Persie, enjoyed a special night at San Siro last month, but they need a mini-miracle on Tuesday if they're to advance into the quarter-finals.

Bayern Munich capitalised on an error-laden Bayer Leverkusen display last week and claimed a 3-0 win when many were doubting their capacity to win this competition. Vincent Kompany's side are far from infallible, as their weekend defeat to Bochum proved, but Bayern have Champions League heritage in abundance.

Leverkusen will attempt a comeback in the second leg without creative talisman Florian Wirtz.

A 1-0 victory for Liverpool in Paris would suggest the Reds have taken command of their tie with PSG, but the Ligue 1 leaders are far from out of it. Only an Alisson masterclass prevented Luis Enrique's side from recording a comfortable win last week, and their first leg performance, despite the absence of goals, should instil confidence that they can rock up at Anfield and triumph.

Expect thrills on Merseyside in what's bound to be a frenetic, high-quality encounter which could go either way.

Wednesday 12 March

Arsenal secured a record-breaking win in Eindhoven last week / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Borussia Dortmund continue to look in a muddle and bereft of a distinct identity despite the change of manager, and Lille's draw at Signal Iduna Park has opened the door for the French team to progress.

Dortmund are a more dangerous outfit when they can sit behind the ball and break, but Lille have impressed in Europe this season and will back themselves to secure a memorable victory. Never before have they reached the quarter-finals of this competition.

Arsenal already have their eyes veering towards a tie with one of the Madrid clubs in the next round after they recorded a record-breaking 7-1 victory in Eindhoven last Tuesday. The Gunners have struggled for goals domestically over the past month, but they put PSV to the sword in the first leg - becoming the first team in Champions League knockout stage history to score seven goals away from home.

Real Madrid edged the first leg with crosstown rivals Atleti 2-1 last week on a night of special goals in the Spanish capital. Madrid are ever so tough to beat over two legs in this competition, but Diego Simeone wouldn't have been too displeased with a slender defeat at the Bernabeu.

The Metropolitano will be rocking on Wednesday night as Atleti, whose La Liga title hopes took a hit at the weekend, aim to beat Los Blancos over two legs in the Champions League for the very first time.

Aston Villa are in a strong position to join Arsenal and potentially Liverpool in the last 16 after they claimed a 3-1 win at Club Brugge. Villa were second best for much of the first leg after taking an early lead, but a couple of late goals tilted the tie firmly in the Villans' favour. Brugge are a good side who will again cause Unai Emery's side a few issues, but overturning a two-goal deficit at Villa Park is a tall order.