during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Munchen at Emirates Stadium on October 20, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.

2015-16 UEFA Champions League draw round of 16 power rankings

Unseeded Group

1) Arsenal

Arsenal is no doubt the strongest team in the unseeded group. And being able to beat Bayern Munich, Arsenal has the ability to pull out an upset regardless of who they play.

 

2) Juventus

Juventus had rough go their first month of the season but it appears they have things back on track. It may be tough to advance from the round of 16 but I wouldn’t count them out.

 

3) Paris Saint-Germain

PSG will probably need to have a fortunate draw but I think we have seen before to never underestimate Zlatan. He’s getting up there in years but he, Edinson Cavani and David Luiz can easily pull out a result in a given game. It also helps that PSG is already 17 points clear in Ligue 1 so they will have the league wrapped up in time and will be able to focus on Champions League.

 

4) Benfica

Benfica is going to have a tough time, depending on who they play. The lone Portuguese representative isn’t one to be taken lightly but being in a tough league battle with Porto and Sporting CP, Benfica is going to have to split focus.

 

5) PSV Eindhoven

PSV is the wild card in this group. The third place team in the Eredivisie has some work cut out for them. But they beat and drew Manchester United in the group stage. I just can’t tell if that’s a sign PSV can compete or not.

 

6) Roma

Based on their last Champions League game, Roma didn’t necessarily gain advancement to the round of 16, they pretty much didn’t lose it. Going to have to be better because if they can’t beat BATE Borisov, how can they win in the round of 16?

 

7) Dynamo Kyiv

Dynamo Kyiv is going to have to pull something incredible because I cannot see them beating any of the eight teams in the seeded group. Because of UEFA rules amid the unrest between Ukraine and Russia, Dynamo Kyiv will not be drawn against Russia.

 

8) Gent

Someone has to be the worst of the 16 teams and that team is Gent. They beat out Valencia and Lyon for the 2nd place spot in the group but will run into a tough test no matter who their opponent is.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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