Champions League Draw 2013

The knockout stage of the 2013/14 season's Champions League campaign has taken shape, with only 16 of the continent's finest left in the hunt for Europe's top prize.

Monday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, threw up several fascinating encounters, not least Arsenal's showdown against Bayern Munich and Manchester City's clash with Barcelona.

First-leg matches for the round of 16 will be played during the weeks of Feb. 18-19 and 25-26, before the return fixtures on March 11-12 and 18-19.

UEFA.com

Teams were still prohibited from coming up against sides with whom they were pitted against in the group stage, as well from their respective domestic leagues. Therefore, Manuel Pellegrini's City side were unable to draw Bayern Munich, Manchester United or Chelsea, for example.

Among the eight seeded clubs, there have been 23 European Cup and Champions League triumphs, while the remaining unseeded sides only account for seven, all which have been won by Milan. Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal have both been losing finalists in the past.

After failing to get a club into the quarterfinals of last year's competition, England have a far better chance of doing so this time and are the joint-most represented nation left in the tournament alongside Germany.

While that may be the case, Spain will argue their case for glory to be the strongest, considering all three of La Liga's bastions were seeded for Monday's draw.

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid currently make up the top three of the Spanish top flight, in that order, with Diego Simeone's Atleti side tied on both points and goal difference with reigning champions Barca.

What's more, Los Rojiblancos managed to qualify for the round of 16 with the biggest deficit between them and second place in their group, a huge 10 points separating them from fellow qualifiers Zenit St. Petersburg.

For the English clubs, the draw was perhaps kindest to David Moyes' Manchester United, a rare bright spot for them in a troubling campaign to date. Both United and Chelsea will be confident of reaching the last eight, thanks to their seeded draws on Monday.

David Moyes' Red Devils will feel particularly hopeful of their chances in facing Olympiacos, the Greek giants being arguably the weakest side still left in the running.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's premonition regarding Didier Drogba's return to Stamford Bridge has come true, Galatasaray being drawn as the West Londoners' next obstacle.

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Ahead of the draw, defending champions Bayern Munich were deemed favourites to retain their crown with the bookies, Oddschecker quoting odds of 5/2 with SkyBet. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Dortmund completed the top five.