Champions League Picks in 2 sentences
>> Sunday
For my hastily-chosen group stage picks, I went 13-3. Now, in an ADD world, I'm essentially bringing each matchup for the Round of 16 down to 2 sentences.
Lyon (France #1) vs. Manchester United (England #2)
Best in France not what it used to be.
United just thrashed English title-rivals Arsenal 4-0.
Pick: United
Celtic (Scotland #2) vs. Barcelona (Spain #2)
Normally attacking Barcelona has struck for more than one goal only twice in last 10 games.
Normally defensive Celtic on the other hand has struck for 13 goals in last three games.
Pick: Celtic (Upset Special)
Liverpool (England #5) vs. Inter Milan (Italy #1)
Whenever I pick Liverpool to lose, they win, and vice versa.
Kind of hard to pick the Reds when they're falling out of relevance domestically and just lost to lower-division Barnsley.
Pick: Inter
Arsenal (England #1) vs. AC Milan (Italy #5)
Milan unbeaten in 8 of last 10, and the European champs always find a way to kick it into overdrive this time of year.
English leaders Arsenal are looking for a confidence boost after being blown out by Man U, but have the offensive firepower to make this series interesting.
Pick: Milan, but it may be decided AFTER 180 minutes...
Olimpiacos (Greece #1) vs. Chelsea (England #3)
Olimpiacos (Greece #1) vs. Chelsea (England #3)
No contest.
Olimpiacos' fairy tale run ends at Stamford Bridge.
Pick: Chelsea
AS Roma (Italy #2) vs. Real Madrid (Spain #1)
Madrid and Roma have both lost twice in last three.
Roma hadn't lost since October 2nd before that, while Madrid have lost three of last six.
Pick: Roma (Madrid has better players, but Roma is in better form)
Schalke 04 (Germany #5) vs. FC Porto (Portugal #1)
Only storyline is Porto returning to scene of 2004 European Cup triumph, held at Schalke's stadium. Porto will likely win again.
Pick: Porto
Fenerbahce (Turkey #1) vs. Sevilla (Spain #6)
Fenerbahce should take down struggling Sevilla.
But in Europe, anything can happen, so who knows?
Pick: Fenerbahce
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3 comments:
Thanks for putting the ol' Sever kiss of death on Inter.
Eto'o looks doubtful for Barca, good news for the Hoops.
this has got to be like the 5th time you've made Celtic your upset special, bias much?
Yes, I am a fan of Celtic FC, however, I'm bigger fan of being right.
This would be the SECOND, not FIFTH time that I have picked Celtic to knock off a top European Club. Last year I picked Celtic to take down AC Milan in the round of 16. The Hoops took the Rossoneri to extra time before losing 1-0. So, to pick Celtic wasn't that far off.
Celtic is really the only non-Big Five team that I think could deliver a knockout blow to an elite team this round (Fenerbahce-Sevilla doesn't count). Their experience in Europe over the past two years makes me think they can hang with any team in Europe over 180 minutes. Celtic are undefeated in European competition at home over the past two years (4-0 this year, 3-0-1 last year). Their struggles have been on the road. This season they are 0-3-1, but have only surrendered 5 goals in those four games. I know if Liverpool draws Celtic in the next round (should they both advance) Dan may be dreading a trip to Parkhead.
As for Celtic favoritism, maybe in the sense that I follow them more closely I have more information on them, but I actually picked Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk to make it out of the group stages, not Celtic. (Go back to main page, click on "You're Not Singing Anymore" and scroll down.)
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