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The UEFA Champions League round-of-16 draw is in the books. Each of the sides that battled through an unforgiving group stage knows the team they will face come February, when the tournament begins its knockout phase.
Monday's process threw up some enticing ties, with Real Madrid drawing Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea drawing Barcelona the standouts. Those are two games you wouldn't mind seeing in the final, let alone the first knockout round.
Let's take a look at all eight ties and pick out the key men, potential breakout stars and more.
Juventus vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Upset Alert?
Absolutely. Juventus are seasoned Champions League campaigners and reached last year's final so will always expect to make a deep run in the competition, but they will have to be extremely wary of Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs have already beaten Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the competition this year, and while their league form has been lacking at times, they have most certainly been up for these ties.
Key Men
Two legs of Juventus vs. Tottenham could quite easily produce in excess of seven goals, so the focus will be on the attacking stars on show.
Paulo Dybala's movement into clever positions is going to be an issue if Spurs still don't have Victor Wanyama back, while Juve will rightly fear Harry Kane, a man who is capable of scoring 50 goals in a calendar year.
Predicted Breakout Star
It's nigh on impossible to find a breakout star among two squads the world knows, but Rodrigo Bentancur has featured more than most expected for the Bianconeri since arriving in the summer and could be a prominent factor by February.
Prediction
Spurs win a high-scoring aggregate affair.
FC Basel vs. Manchester City
Upset Alert?
No. Basel may have beaten Manchester United at home in the group stage and, to their credit, tallied an impressive 12 points, but Manchester City are arguably the strongest side in Europe and won't have much trouble here.
Key Men
Basel's defensive task here is obvious, but they will also need to offer a threat on the counter-attack and from set pieces. Michael Lang, the team's right wing-back, has been in ridiculous goalscoring form of late and will be up against Leroy Sane, who is a major part of City boss Pep Guardiola's attacking plan.
Predicted Breakout Star
Manuel Akanji could have a big say in this game. The Basel centre-back performed well in the group stage and has started collecting Switzerland caps. A showpiece performance at this stage could propel him to a big move.
Prediction
Basel will fight, but City's incredible strength overwhelms them.
FC Porto vs. Liverpool
Upset Alert?
Most certainly. As Portuguese writer Tiago Estevao noted via Twitter, FC Porto excel with their backs to the wall and are extremely handy from set pieces—two traits that will cause Liverpool consternation.
Key Men
We've seen how Liverpool's defence collapses under pressure from a strong, direct, quick striker, and Vincent Aboubakar is all of those. He's also a serious set-piece threat.
On the flip side, Philippe Coutinho's genius in tight spaces and long-range shooting threat may well have to be the difference against a deep-set opponent.
Predicted Breakout Star
After impressing on loan at OGC Nice last season, Ricardo Pereira has excelled with Porto this term. Now a complete full-back, a strong performance against Liverpool could earn him a Kyle Walker-esque move in 2018.
Prediction
Liverpool edge it by a goal. This is a closer tie than many will presume.
Sevilla vs. Manchester United
Upset Alert?
Probably not. Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is the master of knockout football, and it will take an excellent side to knock his side out out over two legs. Sevilla don't have enough in the tank.
Key Men
Nights like this are when Paul Pogba should come out to play in midfield. In response, Sevilla's Ever Banega needs to put on a clinic of his own and inspire belief among his comrades.
Predicted Breakout Star
Sevilla's squad is well-known thanks to its European exploits in recent seasons, so this one's tough. Perhaps Clement Lenglet can continue to enhance his reputation on this stage.
Prediction
United progress comfortably.
Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Upset Alert?
Which team would be upsetting the other? Real Madrid are the European champions, but Paris Saint-Germain are a force this season and might well look better heading into this one.
Key Men
It's all about those Ballon d'Or podium presences here. Cristiano Ronaldo has a reputation for delivering when it matters the most and against the best teams. The pressure will be on Neymar to emulate him.
Predicted Breakout Star
The world knows these two teams and squads inside out. Even Borja Mayoral is an open secret. It would take a slew of injuries for anyone like Marcos Llorente, Jesus Vallejo or Giovani Lo Celso—players who are in the breakout bracket—to feature.
Prediction
An incredibly tough call, but on paper, you have got to side with the holders' pedigree, right?
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Roma
Upset Alert?
Without question. The way Shakhtar Donetsk acquitted themselves in a horrid group was incredible; any top-seeded team drawing them in the round of 16 was always going to be on upset alert as a result.
Key Men
AS Roma were rock-solid at home in the group stage, not conceding a single goal at the Stadio Olimpico, and that will have to change if Shakhtar wish to progress. Marlos is capable of moments of magic and may have to produce the goods again here.
For Roma, it's about continuing that home form and nabbing an away goal. Edin Dzeko seems the obvious choice here, but Diego Perotti's knack of scoring important goals makes him crucial too.
Predicted Breakout Star
How Fred is still at Shakhtar is a mystery. If he performs as we know he can against Roma, maybe that soon changes.
Prediction
Roma win on away goals. This one is tight.
Chelsea vs. Barcelona
Upset Alert?
Yes. Chelsea have the attacking potency to slay any team, the Eden Hazard-Alvaro Morata combination will be difficult to stop and the last time these two sides met, six seasons ago, 10-man Chelsea fought back from 2-0 down at the Camp Nou in the semi-final second leg to progress.
Key Men
You wouldn't expect either side to keep a clean sheet in either leg, and that's because of the attacking quality on display. It may be stating the obvious, but Hazard and Lionel Messi are the deciding factors here.
Predicted Breakout Star
Nelson Semedo is already a star, but it's quite possible Premier League or Chelsea fans aren't aware of just how good he is.
Prediction
With Luis Suarez creeping back into form, Barcelona are the side to back here.
Bayern Munich vs. Besiktas
Upset Alert?
Yes. Bayern Munich are by far the stronger side on paper, but Besiktas's topping of Group G can't be ignored, and Vodafone Arena could be a difference-maker if they achieve a respectable result in Munich.
Key Men
Besiktas will have to defend for long periods in this game and somehow nullify elite striker Robert Lewandowski. If Pepe can keep him quiet—and he's had practice at it—the Black Eagles can fly.
Predicted Breakout Star
A long-range thunderbolt could result in international attention for Anderson Talisca, who lives for these nights.
Prediction
Bayern over two legs will be just too strong for Besiktas.
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