UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Complete Preview: At the time of the draw

The Champions League draw has provided us with some really exciting matchups, with a few rivalries renewed and European heavyweights going up against each other.Although it is quite early to make predictions given that over 2 months separate today and the day the first leg of the first match of the knockouts kicks off, let’s take a preliminary look at the fixture and see how these teams have shaped up over the course of the season.

#8 Basel vs Porto

Although there isnt much stardust in this clash, it allows for favorable viewing to a neutral football fan as 2 teams from Europes unfancied leagues face off in a bid to make a deep run in the competition after a long time, as neither has featured in the quarterfinals for a long time.

Probably the surprise packages of the tournament so far given that they are among the 3 unbeaten teams along with Chelsea and Real Madrid, Porto are a team on the rise having scored 16 goals in the competition (tied second with Real Madrid). They havebouncedback from last seasons disappointments to be the only Portuguese team to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Still trailing Benfica in the league after a loss in the O Clasico, however, Porto have a few concerns at the back, as demonstrated in the matches against Shakhtar, with both ending as score draws. Yacine Brahimi presents a significant threat from attacking midfield, and Jackson Martinez, should he stay at the club through the January transfer window, is one of the most accomplished finishers plying their trade in the continent.

Basel will be looking to capitalize on their domestic form, as they are 8 points clear of closest rivals Young Boys and Zurich. Though they failed to beat Real Madrid in their group encounters, they posed a significant goal threat in both matches with captain Marco Streller and Fabian Frei shining for them.

Given their defeat of Liverpool at home, plus their ability to turn it on in crucial matches as they have previously shown in the competition, they should be a tough team to beat. Taulant Xhaka, the diminutive Swiss playmaker is among their biggest attacking threats, and Fabian Schar is a rock at the back.