Analysis: Champions League draw- Round of 16

The Champions League draw has been made. Mouth watering clashes are in store as we look to see some of the best teams and according to form now, how will they fare? Fixtures to be played in February and how things can change by then. For now, we look at how the sides are expected to play. We have a repeat of a couple fixtures from last season which included controversies, thrills and classic goals. Sixteen games, sixteen teams and only eight will go through! Last 16 are here...They are expected, but for now we diagnose what we have:

Champions League 2014 [Image from flickr by Ver en vivo En Directo]

Paris St Germain vs Chelsea

The 95' semi finalists will face Chelsea and it will be yet another repeat meeting having faced them in the same competition last season. Both sides suffered their first defeats in the season in consecutive weekends.  History seems to have itself repeated, as they meet. Chelsea will look to win with a less dramatic touch. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's injury on the return leg saw his side slump to defeat. Jose Mourinho will be targeting his third title. David Luiz returns to the bridge and PSG in their twitter feed seem to enjoy their meetings with the London giants. They return again since purchasing Luiz. Will it be Eden Hazard or Ezequiel Lavezzi, Zlatan or Costa? We wait for February.

Manchester City vs FC Barcelona

The English champions will take on the Catalan giants and will find themselves in better stead this season than last. Talisman Yaya Toure will miss the first leg because of his three match ban and could prove pivotal for the Citizens. Will Kun Aguero be fit? The Argentine is a match winner singlehandedly dismantling Bayern Munich and providing a plethora of their goals this season. Barcelona are in a period of confusion. Sometimes brilliant, others look lost, idealess and have had to rely on their front line. When they fire blanks, they remain average. Will they pass the City test again?

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid

The Germans will face a tough Atlético side who have disciple at the back, a master coach and will be difficult to beat. Mario Mandzukic has led the line well and Antoine Griezmann has been a perfect fit. The Spanish side has been dangerous from set plays and will look to punish a sloppy Leverkusen defense. Stefan Kiesling has been the German’s best player and will look to take any goal scoring chance. Will they oust the finalists from 2013-14?

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

Juventus have been poor in Europe in recent seasons. Despite domestic dominance they remain unconvincing continentally. They face a Dortmund side that is impressive in Europe but has been failing domestically. With Juventus' form dipping they will need to be at their best to stop a Dortmund side that will be at full strength by February with all the injuries back. The question is, where with the Germans be mentally by then? Relegation battles are known to take their toll mentally.

FC Schalke vs Real Madrid

The two sides met last season and the highlight was not the thrashing Schalke received but the sublime goal Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored, albeit a consolation. It is now a habit as Madrid drew yet another German team. Two Champions league winning coaches, one favorite. Could Schalke mastermind a win? It looks far from possible. The Germans will have to bring their A game. Di Matteo will need to be at his tactical best. Real Madrid look unstoppable and have the defense to stop whatever the Schalke side will offer but more worryingly the attack to blow them away again.

FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich

They are led by the Brazilian goal machine Luiz Adriano. They face one of the favorites in German opponents Bayern Munich and will need to find a way to get a result. Arjen Robben will be the focal point for the Bavarians but with a star studded line up and the return of Captain Philipp Lahm will add. Both experience and quality, Pep Guardiola is expected to win this competition and will make a plan on how to easily dispose a tricky clash with a side that boasts a highly regarded Alex Teixeira and Brazil's Bernard.

Arsenal vs AS Monaco

This looks like an easy fixture for the Gunners. Could Arsene be deceived to such extent as to not buy in January? Arsenal and Monaco are in contrast as the French side have the best defense in the competition while Arsenal have a porous defense. Having led 3-0 against Belgian side Anderlecht they threw it all away and drew the match in the dying minutes. Olivier Giroud will be added to the European squad list and that will add to the impressive attack arsenal. Will Arsene's back four be able to cope with Dimitar Berbatov and Joao Moutinho? It will see Arsene take on his former club as well as fans hope there will be no casualties leading into the game.

FC Basel vs Porto

The English giant killers will face a Porto side led by Yacine Brahimi and Jackson Martinez. The quarter finals will feature one of the two sides. Basel play an impressive counter attack, high tempo style of play. The Swiss side has a threat aerially led by captain and star player Marco Streller. This is a balanced fixture one that can go either way. Will Jackson Martinez still be at Porto in February? Could Basel march on? This will provide them momentum for even more scalps.

Article contributed by: Benedict Chanakira

Twitter: @bchanakira2