Chris Sutton’s guide to the last-16 of the Champions League: Liverpool should beat ageing Bayern

The draw for the last-16 of the Champions League was made in Nyon on Monday afternoon.  

Plenty of fascinating ties have been thrown up with three Premier League sides facing tests against Bundesliga opposition.

Chris Sutton gives his verdict to Sportsmail on how he sees the eight ties playing out… 

Manchester United were handed the daunting prospect of facing big-spending PSG next up

Schalke v Manchester City

This should be straightforward for City. Right now, I cannot look past them winning the competition. 

I watched their recent win over Hoffenheim. Even without several first-choice stars they looked frightening going forwards at times. 

That night Leroy Sane — who faces his former club in this tie — was electrifying and City still have Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to welcome back. 

Even without them, City have too much for Schalke, who have won just four league games.

Predicted winners: MAN CITY

Leroy Sane is in fine form and will face his former side when Manchester City take on Schalke

Leroy Sane is in fine form and will face his former side when Manchester City take on Schalke

Scouting report

STAR MAN: Daniel Caligiuri has been a shining light in Schalke’s nightmare start. The wing back has been their main creative outlet and made more tackles than any of his team-mates.

MANAGER: Domenico Tedesco.

LEAGUE POSITION: 13th (Bundesliga).

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Played 3 — Schalke 1 — Man City 2 — Draws 0.

KEY STAT: Schalke scored from just 8.1 per cent of their shots, the worst conversion rate in the group stage.

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain

I cannot remember a time when United were the team everyone wanted to face. 

They are 19 points off the pace in the Premier League with a leaky defence that has conceded more league goals than 19th-placed Huddersfield. 

Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani must be licking their lips. 

Liverpool showed that PSG’s defence can be vulnerable but United’s prospects will depend on who is in the dugout. With Jose Mourinho in charge, they have next to no chance.

Predicted winners: PSG

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will relish facing Manchester United due to their defensive woes

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will relish facing Manchester United due to their defensive woes

Scouting report

ASSIST KING 

Kylian Mbappe has four assists for PSG in the Champions League this season, the joint-most so far with Lyon’s Memphis Depay and Man City winger Riyad Mahrez.

STAR MAN: Kylian Mbappe has pace to burn — as he demonstrated at Anfield last month when he flew up the pitch to set up Neymar’s goal. On his day, he is quite simply unplayable.

MANAGER: Thomas Tuchel.

LEAGUE POSITION: 1st (Ligue 1)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: None.

KEY STAT: Neymar created the most chances from open play (18) and completed the most dribbles (32) in the group stage.

Liverpool v Bayern Munich

Bayern may not be the great team they once were but write them off at your peril.

Real Madrid were talked down around this time last year and they won the competition for the third season in a row. 

With gamechangers like Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski they are still a handful for any team. 

Yet despite Liverpool’s poor away form in Europe, I cannot see how Bayern’s ageing team will be able to live with their blistering dynamism and pace.

Predicted winners: LIVERPOOL

Liverpool will want to go one better than their final defeat as they take on an ageing Bayern 

Liverpool will want to go one better than their final defeat as they take on an ageing Bayern 

Scouting report

LEWANDOWSKI LEADS GOALS CHART 

Goals for Robert Lewandowski in his six Champions League group games for Bayern Munich, making him the leading scorer in the competition this season. 

STAR MAN: Robert Lewandowski remains one of Europe’s most prolific strikers. He has 22 goals in 22 games in all competitions already this season.

MANAGER: Niko Kovac.

LEAGUE POSITION: 3rd (Bundesliga).

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Played 7 — Liverpool 2 — Bayern 1 — Draws 4.

KEY STAT: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has faced Bayern 29 times as a manager — winning eight, drawing five and losing 16.

Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund

This is so close to call. Spurs have been a real enigma. 

This may be their best start in the Premier League but they are yet to hit their straps. That will be of little concern to Mauricio Pochettino. 

When everything clicks, Spurs will be even more difficult to beat. 

Dortmund are Germany’s best side and in Jadon Sancho have a player who is thrilling to watch. He tries to get fans out of their seats every time he has the ball and I can’t wait to see him back in England. 

Spurs will have to be at their very best.

Predicted winners: DORTMUND

Borussia Dortmund are Germany's best side right now and will be a tough test for Tottenham

Borussia Dortmund are Germany’s best side right now and will be a tough test for Tottenham

Scouting report

JADON SANCHO THE CREATOR 

England’s Jadon Sancho has seven assists in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this season.

Only Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sebastien Haller has set up more goals in the division this season (eight).

STAR MAN: Despite often starting on the bench, Paco Alcacer is the Bundesliga top scorer with 11 goals. The supersub averages a goal every 40 minutes.

MANAGER: Lucien Favre.

LEAGUE POSITION: 1st (Bundesliga).

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Played 4 — Tottenham 2 — Dortmund 2 — Draws 0.

KEY STAT: Dortmund had the tightest defence in the group stage, conceding just twice.

Atletico Madrid v Juventus 

Predicted winners: Juventus

Juventus will expect to progress with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks and in electric form

Juventus will expect to progress with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks and in electric form

Lyon v Barcelona 

Predicted winners: Barcelona

Roma v Porto 

Predicted winners: Porto 

Porto excelled in the group stages and will fancy their chances against Roma in the last-16

Porto excelled in the group stages and will fancy their chances against Roma in the last-16

Ajax v Real Madrid

Predicted winners: Real Madrid 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk