The draws for the next round of the Champions League and Europa League produced some mouthwatering ties on Monday.
Chelsea and Liverpool were handed difficult clashes with Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig respectively – while Manchester United, in the second-tier competition they last won in 2017, will meet high-flying Real Sociedad.
Sportsmail columnist CHRIS SUTTON has taken a look at all the ties that matter and given his verdict…
The draws for the next round of the Champions League and Europa League have been revealed
Bayern Munich had lifted the coveted trophy last season and will be aiming to retain it this year
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
Liverpool vs RB Leipzig
We know from Leipzig’s response to Manchester United that this won’t be a walkover for Liverpool. Leipzig were under pressure to beat United but they pulled it off.
A good tactical battle awaits between Premier League champion Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann – the young pretender who has said he hopes to manage in England someday.
PREDICTION – Liverpool
Danger man – Dayot Upamecano
The 22-year-old central defender is on plenty of big clubs’ wish-lists.
Jurgen Klopp and Julien Nagelsmann will enjoy a tactical duel in Liverpool’s tie with RB Leipzig
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach manager Marco Rose could be heading to Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
They’ve got a good player in Alassane Plea, one of the top scorers in the Champions League this season.
They play on the front foot, with high pressure. They’ll get after City, if Rose remains their boss for these ties.
PREDICTION – Man City
Danger man – Alassane Plea
The 27-year-old France forward has shown he knows where the goal is.
Alassana Plea will be a dangerman in Manchester City’s clash with Borussia Monchengladbach
Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid
The toughest tie that any of the English sides have been handed.
With Diego Costa and Luiz Suarez, there is plenty of bite to this Atletico Madrid team – no pun intended – while Frank Lampard has a team full of nice boys.
A spot of nastiness might be needed against Atletico.
PREDICTION – Chelsea
Danger man – Joao Felix
The 21-year-old cost £113m, is a creative nuisance and worth watching.
Chelsea’s nice boys will require a bit of nastiness against Atletico Madrid and Luis Suarez
THE OTHER TIES
Porto vs Juventus
Prediction – Juventus
Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Prediction – Bayern Munich
Barcelona and Lionel Messi must brace for another Champions League setback against PSG
Barcelona vs PSG
Prediction – PSG
Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
Prediction – Sevilla
Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Prediction – Real Madrid
EUROPA LEAGUE:
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
Sociedad are currently top of La Liga, so this won’t be a stroll for United. It’s that same old debate with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side: which team will turn up?
They are so unpredictable! United could go on a marvellous run and be Premier League title contenders by the time they face Sociedad.
Or Solskjaer could be on the brink. Who knows!
PREDICTION – Manchester Utd
Manchester United’s fate up against Real Sociedad will depend solely on what team turns up
Arsenal vs Benfica
Benfica have thrown some money at making their team competitive this season, making this a very tricky test for Arsenal.
I highly doubt Mikel Arteta’s side will be qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League, so this may be the way they make it there.
Arsenal won six out of six in the group stages, but this will be tough.
PREDICTION – Benfica
Arsenal’s tie with Benfica will be a very tricky test with their opponents investing lots of money
Tottenham vs Wolfsberger
An absolute gimme for Tottenham and Jose Mourinho! Wolfsberger are seventh in the Austrian league.
Mourinho likes to complain about Harry Kane being overused. I’m not even sure Kane would be needed for Spurs to beat these opponents.
I tipped Tottenham to win the Europa League at the start of the season. They should walk into the next stage.
PREDICTION – Tottenham
Tottenham were gifted an easy tie with Wolfsberger and they should walk into the next stage
Leicester vs Slavia Prague
If Leicester can keep their key players fit – Jamie Vardy in particular – then they could go all the way in the Europa League this season.
Brendan Rodgers will look on this as a favourable tie. Leicester have talented players and are going well in the Premier League, in which they are third.
I’d expect them to fly past the Czech champions.
PREDICTION – Leicester
Leicester are capable of going all the way in the Europa League if their key players remain fit