We are now getting into the thick of things. The 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions Leg Round of 16 begins today. The first two games feature Porto vs. Basel and Real Madrid vs. Schalke. As far as today goes, one game is all but already decided while the other is a real toss up.
Real Madrid (2nd in La Liga) 2-0 Schalke 04 (5th in Bundesliga)
Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
When: 3:00 pregame, 3:45 kickoff on FOX Sports 1 (English) and FOX Deportes (Spanish)
This game is all but over. Real Madrid holds a two goal lead as well as the away goal advantage. There really isn’t much to say about this game but if anything, Real Madrid lost to Athletic Bilbao this past weekend so they very well could be at their weakest and Schalke may shock the world. I highly doubt they will though.
FC Porto (2nd in Portuguese Liga) 1-1 FC Basel (1st in Swiss Super League)
Where: Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal
When: 3:00 pregame, 3:45 kickoff on FOX Sports 2 (English) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
This is going to be a tough game to predict and it can go either way. Either way, one of these teams is going to advance to the Quarterfinal. Although things are level at 1, Porto does have the away goal advantage and are the favorite on paper. Basel looks to advance to the Champions League Quarterfinal for the first time in team history. Basel is going to be tough but they aren’t going to be as tough as they were in the first leg when they were at home.
One thing that will result in Basel’s favor is that Porto’s leading goalscorer Jackson Martinez is likely going to be out due to a groin injury. This is surely going to be a highly entertaining and close game.
(BBC)
