Wednesday’s Champions League Preview

Gavin Hamilton and Jon Driscoll look ahead to what could be a dramatic night in the second legs of the Champions League round of 16…

Atletico Madrid v Inter (Agg 0-1) – Jon Driscoll

An Inter side in superb form in Serie A, but this Atleti at home – a very different beast. Their home form is just amazing. It’s actually a bit bizarre but I think I've got an explanation, which is basically the defensive personnel that they've got. Atleti aren’t very good and if you put them under pressure they buckle but sit back and let them attack you and they've got loads of talent up front.

They lost to Cadiz at the weekend, a terrible result but the 1-0 defeat at San Siro in the first leg will have Inter kicking themselves. They were so good and so on top but only have the 1-0 lead. It was a huge, missed opportunity. I've seen some quite generous prices on Atleti to qualify, and they really can, so if you get a decent price on Atleti to go through then take it.

This is not over; however few goals Inter are conceding in the league.

Inter are even favourites to win the game in the 90 minutes and that’s not right for me.

Borussia Dortmund v PSV Eindhoven (Agg 1-1) – Gavin Hamilton

You can never really trust Dortmund but after the first leg draw I think European know-how will probably decide this. I think Dortmund have got that experience. They showed that earlier on in the competition with their performances against Newcastle and while PSV are having this phenomenal season in the Dutch league unbeaten in 25 games they were disappointed not to come away with more from the first leg. They had the chances.

I think you have to favour Dortmund at home with the crowd behind them and that experience will tell but it will be tight. There’s plenty of storylines with Peter Bosz goong back to Dortmund where he was the coach and there’s Malen the former PSV player in the Dortmund side who scored in the first leg. I think Dortmund will come through this eventually because they are the stronger team from the stronger league.