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The draws for the next round of the Champions League and the Europa League produced some delicious draws on Monday.
Chelsea and Liverpool faced difficult clashes with Atlético de Madrid and RB Leipzig respectively, while Manchester United, in the second division competition they last won in 2017, will face the top-flight Real Sociedad.
Sportsmail columnist CHRIS SUTTON has taken a look at all the links that matter and delivered his verdict …
The draws for the next day of the Champions League and Europa League have been revealed
Bayern Munich lifted the coveted trophy last season and will be looking to retain it this year.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
Liverpool vs RB Leipzig
We know from Leipzig’s response to Manchester United that this will not be a step back for Liverpool. Leipzig were under pressure to beat United, but they did it.
A good tactical battle awaits between Premier League champion Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann, the young suitor who has said he hopes to be England manager one day.
PREDICTION – Liverpool
Star Man – Dayot Upamecano
The 22-year-old central defender is on many big club wish lists.
Jurgen Klopp and Julien Nagelsmann will enjoy a tactical duel in Liverpool’s tie with RB Leipzig
Manchester City vs Borussia Mönchengladbach
Mönchengladbach manager Marco Rose could head to Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
They have a good player in Alassane Plea, one of the top scorers in the Champions League this season.
They play with the front foot, with a lot of pressure. They’re going to hunt down City, if Rose remains their boss for these ties.
PREDICTION – Man City
Star man – Alassane’s plea
The 27-year-old French striker has shown he knows where the goal is.
Alassana Plea will be a danger in Manchester City’s clash with Borussia Monchengladbach
Chelsea vs Atlético de Madrid
The toughest tie ever given to any of the English teams.
With Diego Costa and Luiz Suárez, there is a lot of bite in this Atlético de Madrid team, no pun intended, while Frank Lampard has a team full of good guys.
It could take a pinch of evil against Atlético.
PREDICTION – Chelsea
Star Man – Joao Felix
The 21-year-old cost £ 113 million, he’s a creative hassle and well worth a look.
The good guys at Chelsea will need a bit of evil against Atlético de Madrid and Luis Suárez
THE OTHER TIES
Porto vs Juventus
Prediction – Juventus
Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Prediction – Bayern Munich
Barcelona and Lionel Messi must prepare for another Champions League setback against PSG
Barcelona vs PSG
Prediction – PSG
Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
Prediction – Seville
Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Prediction – Real Madrid
EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
La Sociedad is currently the best in La Liga, so this will not be a ride for United. It’s the same old debate with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side: which team will appear?
They are so unpredictable! United could have a wonderful streak and be contenders for the Premier League title when they face the Society.
Or Solskjaer could be on the edge of the abyss. Who knows!
PREDICTION – Manchester Utd
The fate of Manchester United against Real Sociedad will depend solely on the team that appears
Arsenal vs Benfica
Benfica have invested some money in making their team competitive this season, which makes this a very difficult test for Arsenal.
I highly doubt that Mikel Arteta’s team will qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League, so this may be the way they do it.
Arsenal won six of six in the group stage, but this will be difficult.
PREDICTION – Benfica
Arsenal’s draw with Benfica will be a very difficult test with their rivals investing a lot of money
Tottenham vs Wolfsberger
An absolute gift for Tottenham and José Mourinho! Wolfsberger is seventh in the Austrian league.
Mourinho likes to complain about Harry Kane’s abuse. I’m not even sure the Spurs need Kane to beat these opponents.
I tipped Tottenham to win the Europa League at the start of the season. They should move on to the next stage.
PREDICTION – Tottenham
Tottenham received an easy draw with Wolfsberger and they should move on to the next stage
Leicester vs Slavia Prague
If Leicester can keep their key players in shape, Jamie Vardy in particular, then they could go all the way in the Europa League this season.
Brendan Rodgers will see it as a favorable draw. Leicester have talented players and are doing well in the Premier League, where they are third.
I hope they beat the Czech champions.
PREDICTION – Leicester
Leicester are able to reach the end of the Europa League if their key players remain in shape
