Champions League 2021/22 round of 16: Injury news, predicted line-ups and odds

Manchester United and Chelsea return to Champions League action this week.
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The first lot Champions League round of 16 fixtures provided us with some thrilling telly as Manchester City thrashed Sporting Lisbon on Portugal, while Liverpool put on a terrific display to take the win at the San Siro.

The remaining first leg fixtures take place over the next two days, with Chelsea set to host Lille this evening, while Man United travel to Madrid to face Diego Simeone’s side tomorrow.

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Outside of England, Juventus will travel to Villarreal, before Benfica host Ajax on Wednesday.

Here is all the team news ahead of this week’s ties...

Chelsea v Lille

Chelsea could be without Mason Mount after picking up an ankle injury at the Club World Cup.

The midfielder is back in training following their trip to Abu Dhabi, however tonight’s tie may come too early.

The defending champions will also be without Callum Hudson Odoi, Reece James and Ben Chilwell, while Cesar Azpilicueta should be available.

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Meanwhile, former Manchester United youngster, Angel Gomes, is Lille’s only absentee after he picked up an injury last week.

Predicted line-ups

Chelsea: Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz; Werner

Lille: Jardim; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Weah, Andre, Sanches, Bamba; David, Yilmaz

Bookies odds

Chelsea are looking to defend their Champions League trophy, while Lille will be hoping to cause an upset despite sitting 11th in Ligue 1.

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The Blues are favourites to win at Stamford Bridge, according to Sky Bet.

Chelsea 2/7

Draw 17/4

Lille 10/1

Villarreal v Juventus

Villarreal will once again be out with star striker Gerard Moreno, who picked up an injury earlier this month.

Francis Coquelin and Ruben Pena are sidelined, while there are question marks over Etienne Capoue and Giovani Lo Celso’s fitness.

Juventus are without Federico Bernadeschi, Federico Chiesa and Giorgio Cheillini, while Daniele Rugani and Paulo Dybala also picked up injuries against Torino at the weekend.

Predicted line-ups

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Villarreal: Asenjo, Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Trigueros, Capoue, Parejo; Chukwueze, Dia, Danjuma

Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Danilo, De Ligt, Sandro; Locatelli, Zakaria, Rabiot, Arthur; Morata, Vlahovic

Bookies odds

Villarreal are currently favourites to win in Spain tonight, according to SKy Bet.

They have only suffered defeat at home twice this season - against Barcelona and Manchester United.

Villarreal 6/4

Draw 11/5

Juventus 19/10

Atletico Madrid v Manchester Utd

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Atletico Madrid will be without Yannick Carrasco and Felipe through suspension, while Daniel Wass and Matheus Cunha are out injured.

The Spanish club are also waiting on a negative Covid-19 test from Thomas Lemar, while Antoine Griezmann is expected to return to the matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani is sidelined with a groin problem, but Manchester United could see Eric Bailly recover from an ankle issue in time for tomorrow’s clash.

Predicted line-ups

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Savid, Reinildo; Llorente, Koke, Kondogbia, Correa; Felix, Suarez

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Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo

Bookies odds

Sky Bet have Atletico Madrid as favourites to beat Man United tomorrow night, despite the La Liga side’s poor form in Europe this season.

Atletico Madrid 29/20

Draw 11/5

Man Utd 2/1

Benfica v Ajax

Benfica will see the injured trio of Haris Seferovic, Rodrigo Pinho and Lucas Verissimo miss out tomorrow.

Julian Weigl, Nicolas Otamendi, Joao Mario, Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo would all miss the second leg should they pick up a booking, however they are still likely to feature in Portugal.

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Ajax defender, Jurrien Timber, was substituted with an injury after scoring at the weekend and could be replaced by Perr Schuurs.

Meanwhile, Brian Brobbey and Maarten Stekelenburg remain out.

Predicted line-ups

Benfica: Vlachodimos; Lazaro, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Taarabt, Weigl, Everton; Yaremchuk, Nunez

Ajax: Pasveer; Mazraoui, Schuurs, Martinez, Blind; Alvarez, Klaassen; Antony, Berghuis, Tadic; Haller

Ajax are hot favourites to beat Benfica in their own backyard tomorrow, according to Sky Bet.

The Dutch club won all six of their group stage matches, scoring 20 goals.

Benfica 10/3

Draw 14/5

Ajax 3/4

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