UEFA Champions League Round of 16

The final day of Champions League action provides us with some of the largest teams in Europe set to share the pitch.

Matchday three was disappointing for each home team involved, with both Liverpool and Lyon wasting their chances to take a first-leg advantage, the stage has been set for an improbable turn around in a fortnight's time.

Wednesday is highlighted by the participation of Atletico Madrid and Juventus doing battle in the Spanish capital. These European heavyweights are well known for their organization and attention to detail, making for a physical battle over the next two weeks.

The remaining fixture comes with less fanfare when Champions League favorites Manchester City travel to Germany for a match-up with an overachieving Schalke side.

Schalke 04 vs Manchester City
Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
2-20-2019 - 3:00 pm ET - BR / Live - UNIMAS

Schalke start the match-day as overwhelming underdogs. After navigating their way through the group stage process, the Bundesliga representatives were rewarded with the oddsmakers preferred the team to win the complete tournament.

Domenico Tedesco is proving to be another rising star within the managerial ranks. The 33-year-old Italian head-man has seized his opportunity to lead one of the largest teams in Germany, capturing a top three finish in the league, and a spot in the Champions League draw in just his first season with the club.

Todesco's Steep Learning Curve

The Royal Blues boy genius has found his second season in charge more challenging than his first, after pushing all the right buttons during a dream 2017-2018 campaign, teams are placing the young prodigy in difficult positions to succeed.

The German's will have another difficult obstacle to overcome on Wednesday night, after only winning 4 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, the Miners must now attempt to fend off the advancements of a fully motivated Manchester City squad.

Tolesco understands he must select a competitive starting eleven to have a realistic chance at victory, aligned within a 4-2-3-1 formation he will lean on the services of Guido Burgstaller, Mark Uth, and Yevhen Konoplyanka to help cause the Man City back-line problems. The trio has had issues with overall production this season, combining for 12 goals and 3 assists in all competitions, they must step up and bury their chances when placed in prime positions to excel.

USMNT member Weston McKinnie is also scheduled to play a prominent role against the EPL champs. The young American has flourished during his time in Germany, the central midfielder has been key to offering stability on the defensive side of the pitch, using his overall athleticism during set-piece situations, where he has proven to be a difficult man to mark within aerial situations.

Schalke have traditionally been a tough team to overcome while on their own pitch, although the Royal Blues have struggled with consistency during their domestic campaign, the hosts are currently riding a 9 match unbeaten streak during European competitions in front of their home supporters.

After being eliminated in the quarterfinals once again last season, Manchester City land in Germany with high expectations, and the Citizens seem more determined than ever to finally lift their first Champions League trophy.

Pep Guardiola has become accustomed to high levels of success, leading both Barcelona and Bayern Munich to multiple trophies during his time in charge. The Spaniard was brought in to finally get City over the hump, after capturing his first league title with the club, the famed manager has his sights clearly set of lifting silverware in Madrid later in the year.

Pep's Pure Genius

The highly successful sideline general continues to evolve as one of the top coaches in the world. Guardiola's tactical alignments are a work of art, using a series or well-orchestrated passes to methodically march down the pitch, placing his attacking players in favorable position to get off a high percentage of shots on target.

The Man City maestro will certainly send out one of his more formidable starting eleven's to gain an early advantage while on German soil, not wanting to place additional pressure on his starters during the return leg, expect an inspired effort from those chosen to represent the club on Wednesday night.

Pep's front-line will likely include the likes of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva down the wings, while the Citizen's all-time leading goal scorer Sergio Aguero will assume his normal center-forward position, with 24 goals scored in all competitions, the Argentine striker seems prime to add to those numbers against a Schalke team who have conceded a goal in 13 of their last 15 outings.

City's midfield may very well be one of the best units on the planet. Pep has both David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings within his well-rehearsed plan of attack, using their on-field awareness to locate mismatches on their opponent's side of the pitch, their pinpoint passing places their danger-men in excellent positions to place the ball in the back of the net.

Team Prop 
Manchester City - Team Total Over 2  -140 / 1.71 - Goals 

Manchester City has been on a tear over their last 11 fixtures. The Citizens are averaging an impressive 4.4 goals during that period, while only allowing their opponents 4 goals over that same period of time. Guardiola has also experienced a large amount of success against this same Schalke side, going 6-0-0 during his time in the Bundesliga.

Schalke vs Manchester City - Match Prediction

The Germans were not given any favors when the final sixteen draw took place and now find themselves matched-up with one the more sophisticated teams remaining in this season's format. It will be a large obstacle for the Miners to advance into the quarter-finals.

Schalke have plenty of flaws that worry those who are bold enough to back them. The Royal Blues continue to be challenged to score, averaging 1.1 goals per match in all competitions with their basic plan of attack. The hosts also struggle on the defensive side of the pitch, failing to defend teams with strong wing play, and creative players who can create their own opportunities within one-on-one situations.

The home side is best when launching long-range shots, despite their scoring deficiencies they do produce a healthy amount of shots on goal. Schalke also plays with a high level of aggression, they must use this to their advantage against the highly skilled Citizens squad.

Manchester City is a match-up nightmare for most teams in the world, able to dissect their opposition in many different ways, they present a lengthy list of problems for this Schalke side.

City comes in having won 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, Pep's men are truly clicking at just the right moment, and seem ready to make a large push towards claiming an elusive Champions League title.

Team Prop
Manchester City - To Score In Both Halves - YES  -115 / 1.87

I expect a convincing effort from the EPL side, wanting to put their German opponent's away early, and avoid overexerting themselves over two legs.

Schalke vs Manchester City - Betting Tips

Over 2.75  -125  / 1.8 - Total Full-Time Goals
Manchester City  -0.5  -135 / 1.74 - 1st Half Spread
Manchester City  -1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Full-Time Spread

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