The UEFA Champions League returns this week after a fortnight off, as the second legs of the last-16 ties are due to be played over the next two weeks to determine who progresses to the quarter-finals.
And the first two of those second legs will be played on Tuesday night, when Liverpool entertain Inter Milan and Bayern Munich host Red Bull Salzburg, as two of the last three winners of the competition look to avoid early exits.
The Reds are on course to progress following their 2-0 victory at the San Siro three weeks ago and just need to avoid a defeat of three goals or more in order to seal their place in the next round.
As for Bayern, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Austrian champions Salzburg in their first leg but will be confident of getting the job done when they host their visitors at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.
Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen has given his verdict on what he thinks will happen over the two matches, as two European heavyweights look to avoid any slip ups on home soil this week.
Will both Liverpool and Bayern Munich progress to the quarter-finals on Tuesday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Despite not playing at their best against the Italian champions three weeks ago, second half goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah ensured the Reds took a huge 2-0 lead with them back to Anfield ahead of the second leg.
Home advantage is now on their side to help them get the job done and after already defeating Inter’s rivals AC Milan, along with Porto and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, Owen predicts another victory here for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Speaking to BetVictor, he said: “I wouldn’t say that Liverpool played at their best in Milan, but they did what good sides do, and found a way to win.
“Inter had a few chances in that game, and they’ll cause a few problems at Anfield. I don’t think this will be emphatic, Inter are too good a side for that, but I think Liverpool will win this 2-1.”
Elsewhere in the Champions League on Tuesday is Bayern’s Last 16 second leg tie with Salzburg and it is fair to say that no one expected the Austrian’s to hold their German opponents to a 1-1 draw.
Julian Nagelsmann’s outfit grabbed a last minute equaliser via Kingsley Coman to ensure their blushes were spared, after Chukwubuike Adamu’s 21st minute strike looked set to hand the hosts an unlikely victory.
But it will certainly take something special for the Austrian’s to come away from the Allianz Arena with a victory and Owen predicts the Bundesliga side to be too strong for their opponents.
He said: “The pressure is on Bayern here. They’ve not been at their best in recent weeks and certainly didn’t play well in Salzburg.
“Salzburg are an underrated side, but Bayern are obviously one of the favourites to win the competition, a defeat here would be a disaster. I think they’ll win 2-0.”
