Following a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid three weeks ago, Manchester United have a strong chance of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals, while Chelsea are on track to do so after defeating Lille 2-0 in the first leg.
The last matches of the UEFA Champions League last 16 will be played over the next two days, after four teams already qualified for the quarter-finals last week in another dramatic round of matchups.
Manchester United hosts Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg three weeks ago, while Chelsea hosts Ligue 1 champions Lille on Wednesday night, following a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in the first leg three weeks ago.
Man United have everything to play for as they welcome Diego Simeone's side to Old Trafford tonight, and Anthony Elanga's late equalize at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium last month keeps them in the tie.
The Red Devils' last chance at silverware this season is in this competition, and as unlikely as it appears that they will win it, Owen believes they can at least reach the quarter-finals with a brave 1-0 win over their Spanish opponents.
"That was a wonderful result for Manchester away in Madrid," he told BetVictor. We all know how inconsistent they've been at home, but I believe Europe will provide a pleasant diversion. This isn't the Atletico of old, when they possessed probably Europe's strongest defense, so I believe United can win."
Man United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the second leg on Tuesday at Old Trafford, thanks to a late goal from Anthony Elanga.
Is Manchester United capable of defeating Atletico Madrid and advancing to the quarter-finals? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If United wins, Chelsea would be the only English team left fighting for a spot in the final eight, and they already have one foot in the door after an easy 2-0 win against Lille in the first leg.
The Blues have taken control of the tie thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, and despite Lille's impressive home record this season, Owen is confident that Thomas Tuchel's side will not let this one slip away.
"Chelsea are in the driver's seat ahead of this one," he continued. Thomas Tuchel's bread and butter are these types of matches. Sit in, don't give anything up, and when Lille has no choice but to throw everything forward, it'd be only natural for Chelsea to nick one. For me, it's 1-0 in favor of the Blues."
Liverpool advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Inter Milan last Thursday, despite losing the second leg 1-0, while Man City breezed through with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Sporting Lisbon.
Bayern Munich also went to the next round after smashing Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 on aggregate to win the tie 8-2, while Real Madrid stunned Paris Saint-Germain by defeating them 3-1 after losing the first leg 1-0.
Ajax and Benfica are also in action this week, after a thrilling 2-2 tie in the first leg three weeks ago, as well as Juventus and Villareal, who hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg this week.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0