Brugge vs. Atalanta (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
© Imago
Having eked through to the knockout phase, Club Brugge will aim to take a first-leg lead in their Champions League playoff against Atalanta BC, when the clubs clash at Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday.
While Brugge narrowly avoided elimination, La Dea almost claimed direct entry to the last 16, where the winners of this tie will play either Lille or Aston Villa.
We say: Club Brugge 0-1 Atalanta BC
Although Club Brugge have proven tough to beat for several visitors, Atalanta are an impressive outfit away from home and can shut up shop when needed.
The Nerazzurri certainly have sufficient firepower to score at least once, and they should take a slim lead into next week's second leg.
> Champions League preview: Brugge vs Atalanta
Monaco vs. Benfica (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
Benfica travel to the Stade Louis II for the second time this season to face Monaco in the Champions League knockout round playoffs on Wednesday night.
The visitors will hope for a repeat of the 3-2 win they enjoyed here in the principality during the League Phase, with hosts Monaco enduring a bit of a shaky run of form.
We say: Monaco 1-1 Benfica
Monaco's poor form of late has come at an awful time, with clubs hunting them down in the battle for the top four in Ligue 1 and a playoff in Europe to navigate, but they still have the quality to be competitive in this tie.
With four wins in their last five Champions League away games, Benfica have been competent travellers on the continent recently, but they may fall just short of winning three in a row on the road for the first time since the competition's rebranding here.
> Champions League preview: Monaco vs Benfica
Feyenoord vs. AC Milan (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
Making a much-awaited debut in the Champions League knockout phase, Feyenoord will welcome AC Milan to De Kuip for the first leg of their playoff on Wednesday.
The Rotterdam club last met the seven-time continental champions in 1970, when they progressed from a European Cup tie and went on to lift the trophy; this time, the winner will play either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the last 16.
We say: Feyenoord 1-1 AC Milan
Feyenoord have been faltering, while Milan are rarely at their best away from San Siro, so a score draw could be the outcome of an intriguing first leg.
Leaving this tie in the balance, both teams will surely find the net against a suspect opposition defence.
> Champions League preview: Feyenoord vs AC Milan
Celtic vs. Bayern (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
Celtic will play their first Champions League knockout match for 12 years when they welcome German giants Bayern Munich to Glasgow on Wednesday night.
The new league phase format in the competition worked wonders for Celtic, but not for Bayern, who face the prospect of not reaching the last 16 of the competition for the first time in over two decades.
We say: Celtic 0-2 Bayern Munich
Celtic have been excellent at home in Europe this season, but all three wins came against sides who were eliminated in the League Phase, and Bayern represent a huge step up in quality.
Despite losing three of their four away games in the league phase, Bayern will be confident of progressing even if they lose narrowly here, given their excellent home record, but Kompany's men should be able to silence the raucous home atmosphere and take a commanding lead into the second leg.
> Champions League preview: Celtic vs Bayern
> One change from Bremen win? Bayern predicted lineup vs. Celtic
> Who could replace suspended Maeda? Celtic predicted lineup vs. Bayern
Oliver Thomas
