Champions League 2022-23: three mouth-watering matchups in the tournament's round of 16

With Champions League football returning in mid-February, here is a look at the best fixtures from the tournament's round of 16.

PSG vs Bayern

In what will be a repeat of the 2019-20 final, PSG take on Bayern Munich in the earliest stage of the tournament knockouts. That match was won by the Germans 1-0, meaning PSG will be out for revenge in 2022-23. However, odds will be stacked against Christophe Galtier’s side, as Bayern Munich are one of the favourites to go all the way in the competition, with

of 6/1.

Bayern’s dominance in Group C largely explains this probability. Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished top of a potentially difficult group which also featured Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, having won all their games and amassing a total of 18 goals in the process. PSG, meanwhile, disappointed in Group H by their high standards. Four wins and two draws from their six games saw them level with Benfica on points, goals scored and goals against, with the Portuguese side pipping them to top spot on away goals scored – thanks to 

 of Maccabi Haifia on matchday 6.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

From the 2019-20 final to the 2021-22 tournament conclusion. Liverpool face Real Madrid in the first knockout round less than a year after the final in Paris. A

was sufficient for Los Blancos to be triumphant on the night, although they are placed at 11/1 to repeat the same feat this campaign. Liverpool, meanwhile, are fourth favourites at 9/1, meaning they will go into this game with some confidence.

This comes after a disastrous start to the season which saw the Reds lumbering in the bottom half of the table. However. Jurgen Klopp’s side have since recovered in time to sit in sixth in the league before the international break, and only a rampant Napoli side left them second in Group A by virtue of goal difference. Real Madrid will arguably provide sterner opposition in the round of 16, though, being two points off the top of LaLiga and beating Leipzig to top spot in Group F by a single point. Their experience in the competition alone is likely to cause Liverpool problems.

Dortmund vs Chelsea

While the first two entries on this list are by far the stand-out matches, there are several candidates for the third most exciting matchup. Given Dortmund’s expansive style of play and Chelsea’s need for points under Graham Potter, the round of 16 fixture between the two sides should provide ample entertainment, even if the two are underperforming on their respective domestic stages.

After a bright start following his impromptu appointment, Potter’s last five matches in the league before the international break concluded without a single win, setting a 

, with the Blues down in eighth after 14 matches. Dortmund, meanwhile, aren’t fairing much better in the Bundesliga, sitting in sixth at the turn of the World Cup with six losses already to their name. They finished second to a dominant Manchester City in Group G but did manage a draw at home to the Premier League side, and they will hope to go one better when Chelsea come to town in February.

The Champions League almost always springs a few surprises in the knockout stages of the competition. With many of the tournament’s more established names facing each other at such an early stage, it could open the door for a relative unknown to go on to glory.