• VfB Stuttgart - FC Barcelona
Well, I don’t think there is much to say here; an easy game for FC Barcelona.
The weakest team of all the 16, VfB Stuttgart, against the strongest one, FC Barcelona, who also won the The 2009 FIFA Club World Cup last December, and it seems that nothing can stop Messi and his team. In simple words, Stuttgart needs a miracle. And also the bookmakers think so: the best odd (the best among the odds on the main online betting websites) for FC Barcelona winner is 1.10 while the average odd for VfB Stuttgart winner is about 5.50, which is the highest odd of all the Champions League Round of 16 matches.
• FC Inter - Chelsea FC
This match in my opinion is much more balanced than the bookmakers think; the odds say Chelsea FC winner at around 1.50 while FC Inter winner at around 2.40.
We have to consider some things: first of all the Africa Cup could be a problem more for Chelsea than for Inter; Inter just has Eto’o playing there while Chelsea has important players like Drogba, Essien, Kalou and Mikel who won’t be available for all January. I don’t want to bring bad luck to Chelsea, but if some injury happens, Ancelotti’s team is on trouble.
We have to consider another aspect that is January market session. Maybe the 2 teams will both acquire new players (Inter has already acquired the forward Pandev).
Anyway, at the actual state of things, I keep considering Chelsea a bit better and stronger than Inter, so if I had to do it, I’d put all my money on FC Chelsea.
• Olympique Lyonnaise - Real Madrid CF
Let’s see what the bookmakers say about this match: the average odd is 1.30 for Real Madrid winner, while is 3.15 for Olympique Lyon winner. Fair enough in my opinion. Lyon has always done well in the qualification group, finishing in first position the most of times; but the most of times Lyon has also struggled and eventually lost in the Round of 16 too. And this happens quite almost every year.
On the other side, even if Real did not play so well in the qualification matches and even if the main player, kaka, is not in good shape and is going through a tough year (maybe the toughest one of his career so far), Real Madrid has so much talent that will be enough to beat the opponent up.
So, finally, an easy win for Real Madrid in my opinion.
• FC Bayern München - ACF Fiorentina
My personal opinion is that the bookmakers are underestimating ACF Fiorentina so much; Fiorentina’s play is improving match after match, and this lead Cesare Prandelli’s team to finish the qualification group in the first place, with notable victories over Olympique Lyon and Liverpool.
Bayern München conquered the qualification just on the last match instead, by defeating a modest Juventus which was in its worst moment. That last match was the only well played one by Bayern, so let’s cool down the enthusiasm. Fiorentina could be a bitter surprise for the German supporters.
Here’s the bookmakers’ odds: FC Bayern München winner at 1.60, ACF Fiorentina winner at 2.20
My reviews and forecasts of the 4 remaining Champions League 2010 Round of 16 matches will arrive soon. So don't panic!
