The draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Dec 18. Read a guide to the last 16 teams including key players and verdict.

AC MILAN
Milan qualified thanks to Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Zurich, as Group C runners-up behind Real Madrid. Their passage was sometimes nervous but the seven-times winners will be one of the teams to beat.
Player to watch: Ronaldinho
Verdict: Possible quarter-finalists.

ARSENAL
As usual, Arsenal had few problems in reaching the knockout stages following the controversial qualifying victory over Celtic. Injuries, particularly the absence of Robin van Persie, continue to threaten the possibility of a second final in four years.
Player to watch: Andrei Arshavin
Verdict: Depending on draw, may struggle to make last eight.

BARCELONA
The reigning champions took until matchday six to qualify but the 2-0 win over Inter Milan, following the goalless draw in Italy, suggests Pep Guardiola’s team is one most others will want to avoid.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi
Verdict: Still the team to beat in Spain; possible winners.

BAYERN MUNICH
Not since they beat Valencia on penalties, in 2001, have Bayern reached the final and though they were runners up in Group A, the manner of their 4-1 win over Juventus after going a goal down was impressive.
Player to watch: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
Verdict: Possible dark horses, but no more than the last eight.

BORDEAUX
Relatively inexperienced, but expectations in France are high that they could become the first French finalists since Monaco in 2004. The Group A winners are in the knockout phase for the first time.
Player to watch: Marouane Chamakh
Verdict: Non. Will be lucky to get to the last eight.

CHELSEA
Carlo Ancelotti has won it four times, twice as a player and twice in charge of Milan. And his side, so close in the past, believe they are on course for another crack, particularly if their strikers avoid injury.
Player to watch: Didier Drogba
Verdict: They have the potential to win it and are sure to reach at least the semi-finals.

CSKA MOSCOW
The failed drug tests aside, CSKA have shown their strengths, no more so than at Old Trafford where they led 3-1. But Russia’s World Cup demise hints at a fall in standards in the country’s game.
Player to watch: Alan Dzagoev
Verdict: Some feel they should be out of the competition. That should be resolved in the first knockout stage.

FIORENTINA
Liverpool learned to their detriment in Florence how strong the Italians can be, but they remain the poor cousins of Serie A. In Cesare Prandelli they have one of Italy’s longest serving coaches.
Player to watch: Adrian Mutu
Verdict: Not one of the stronger sides remaining; they could reach the last eight but are unlikely to progress further.

LYON
The pressure is on coach Claude Puyel amid high expectations. The victory at Anfield showed their strengths and many believe they could be dark horses, particularly as they have been hard to score against.
Player to watch: Lisandro
Verdict: Quarter-finalists and, possibly, the last four.

INTER MILAN
Inter took until last night to qualify for the final 32, having drawn their first three games in the group, but with Jose Mourinho in charge anything can happen.
Player to watch: Samuel Eto'o
Verdict: The Champions League is Inter’s mission but are they good enough? Last eight.

MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League away matches, discounting the 2008 and 2009 finals, at neutral venues.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
Verdict: At least the semi-finals and very possibly a third successive final.

OLYMPIACOS
Their energetic fans will believe they can go finally conquer Europe, particularly with Zico in charge, but while they are on course for a sixth successive Greek title, few outside the country expect them to go further.
Player to watch: Antonios Nikopolidis
Verdict: No chance, out at the next hurdle.

PORTO
The 2004 winners got to the last eight last season, losing to Manchester United, and their consistency suggests they will be a side to be avoided in the first knockout stage.
Player to watch: Raul Meireles
Verdict: Could repeat last season’s quarter-finals.

REAL MADRID
Nothing short of success in Europe will be tolerated after the remarkable expenditure, and a tenth success remains the aim after winning their group. Given the final is in Madrid only adds to the pressure.
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
Verdict: Semi-finals certain, and potential winners.

SEVILLA
The Spaniards were through before last night’s tie in Spain but injuries need to improve if they are to progress in the New Year. They failed to get this far last year, having won the Uefa Cup in 2006 and 2007.
Player to watch: Luis Fabiano
Verdict: Could be worth avoiding in the first knockout stage, but unlikely to get past the last eight.

STUTTGART
Christian Gross, once of Spurs, is the new coach, replacing Markus Babbel on Sunday, and he has inherited a side that qualified for the last 16 on Wednesday. They took five games to get their first win – at Rangers.
Player to watch: Thomas Hitzlsperger
Verdict: Too much for Gross; out at the first hurdle.

The Champions League draw will see the winners from one group facing the runners-up from another group, with the runners-up playing the first leg at home. The winners and runners-up of the same group cannot be drawn against each other. And clubs from the same association must not been drawn against each other, so Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United will be kept apart.

The draws for the quarter-final and semi-finals is also in Nyon, on March 19, 2010.

DATES: Feb 16/17: First knockout round, first leg. Feb 23/24: second leg. Mar 9/10: second knockout round, first leg. Mar 16/17: second leg. Mar 20/31: quarter-finals, first leg. Apr 6/7: quarter-finals, second leg. Apr 20/21: semi-finals, first leg. Apr 27/28: semi-finals, second leg. May 22: final (Madrid).

BARCELONA
The reigning champions took until matchday six to qualify but the 2-0 win over Inter Milan, following the goalless draw in Italy, suggests Pep Guardiola’s team is one most others will want to avoid.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi
Verdict: Still the team to beat in Spain; possible winners

~Borat~:

Its always cool to qualify as group leaders. . .
Its 'madness' wanting to meet Barca now i have to admit

allboyz:

the good thing is the all the EPL teams will be seeded so that can not play either Madrid or Barca in the second round!

something tells me that Mourinho may play his former team - Chelsea

Teams and Telegraph verdict:The draw for the Champions League knockout phase takes place on Friday (11.00 GMT) with three Premier League clubs - Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - all going into the pot. Follow it live on Telegraph.co.uk.

How the draw works:
The Champions League second round will see the winners from one group facing the runners-up from another, with the runners-up playing the first leg at home. The winners and runners-up of the same group cannot be drawn against each other. And clubs from the same association must not been drawn against each other, so Arsenal, Chelsea and United will be kept apart.

Who the Premier League teams can face:
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all won their respective groups. They can be drawn against any of Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, AC Milan, FC Porto, Lyon, Inter Milan, Stuttgart and Olympiakos.

The latest odds:
Barcelona and Chelsea are 7/2 joint favourites to win the Champions League ahead of the knockout stage draw, according to Ladbrokes. Manchester United are 7/1 to reclaim the title they last won in 2008, with Arsenal available at 9/1. The Premier League is 6/4 - the same price as La Liga - to supply the eventual winner.

Barcelona 7/2, Chelsea 7/2, Real Madrid 11/2, Manchester Utd 7/1, Arsenal 9/1, Inter 12/1, Sevilla 16/1, Bayern Munich 18/1, Lyon 22/1, Milan 22/1, Bordeaux 25/1, Fiorentina 33/1, Porto 40/1, CSKA Moscow 50/1, Stuttgart 50/1, Olympiacos 80/1.

The remaining key Champions League dates:
Feb 16/17: First knockout round, first leg
Feb 23/24: second leg
Mar 9/10: second knockout round, first leg
Mar 16/17: second leg
Mar 20/31: quarter-finals, first leg
Apr 6/7: quarter-finals, second leg
Apr 20/21: semi-finals, first leg
Apr 27/28: semi-finals, second leg
May 22: final (Madrid)

Teams and Telegraph verdict:

AC Milan
Milan qualified thanks to Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Zurich, as Group C runners-up behind Real Madrid. Their passage was sometimes nervous but the seven-times winners will be one of the teams to beat.
Player to watch: Ronaldinho
Verdict: Possible quarter-finalists.

Arsenal
As usual, Arsenal had few problems in reaching the knockout stages following the controversial qualifying victory over Celtic. Injuries, particularly the absence of Robin van Persie, continue to threaten the possibility of a second final in four years.
Player to watch: Andrei Arshavin
Verdict: Depending on draw, may struggle to make last eight.

Barcelona
The reigning champions took until matchday six to qualify but the 2-0 win over Inter Milan, following the goalless draw in Italy, suggests Pep Guardiola’s team is one most others will want to avoid.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi
Verdict: Still the team to beat in Spain; possible winners.

Bayern Munich
Not since they beat Valencia on penalties, in 2001, have Bayern reached the final and though they were runners up in Group A, the manner of their 4-1 win over Juventus after going a goal down was impressive.
Player to watch: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
Verdict: Possible dark horses, but no more than the last eight.

Bordeaux
Relatively inexperienced, but expectations in France are high that they could become the first French finalists since Monaco in 2004. The Group A winners are in the knockout phase for the first time.
Player to watch: Marouane Chamakh
Verdict: Non. Will be lucky to get to the last eight.

Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti has won it four times, twice as a player and twice in charge of Milan. And his side, so close in the past, believe they are on course for another crack, particularly if their strikers avoid injury.
Player to watch: Didier Drogba
Verdict: They have the potential to win it and are sure to reach at least the semi-finals.

CSKA Moscow
The failed drug tests aside, CSKA have shown their strengths, no more so than at Old Trafford where they led 3-1. But Russia’s World Cup demise hints at a fall in standards in the country’s game.
Player to watch: Alan Dzagoev
Verdict: Some feel they should be out of the competition. That should be resolved in the first knockout stage.

Fiorentina
Liverpool learned to their detriment in Florence how strong the Italians can be, but they remain the poor cousins of Serie A. In Cesare Prandelli they have one of Italy’s longest serving coaches.
Player to watch: Adrian Mutu
Verdict: Not one of the stronger sides remaining; they could reach the last eight but are unlikely to progress further.

Lyon
The pressure is on coach Claude Puyel amid high expectations. The victory at Anfield showed their strengths and many believe they could be dark horses, particularly as they have been hard to score against.
Player to watch: Lisandro
Verdict: Quarter-finalists and, possibly, the last four.

Inter Milan
Inter took until last night to qualify for the final 32, having drawn their first three games in the group, but with Jose Mourinho in charge anything can happen.
Player to watch: Samuel Eto'o
Verdict: The Champions League is Inter’s mission but are they good enough? Last eight.

Manchester United
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League away matches, discounting the 2008 and 2009 finals, at neutral venues.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
Verdict: At least the semi-finals and very possibly a third successive final.

Olympiacos
Their energetic fans will believe they can go finally conquer Europe, particularly with Zico in charge, but while they are on course for a sixth successive Greek title, few outside the country expect them to go further.
Player to watch: Antonios Nikopolidis
Verdict: No chance, out at the next hurdle.

Porto
The 2004 winners got to the last eight last season, losing to Manchester United, and their consistency suggests they will be a side to be avoided in the first knockout stage.
Player to watch: Raul Meireles
Verdict: Could repeat last season’s quarter-finals.

Real Madrid
Nothing short of success in Europe will be tolerated after the remarkable expenditure, and a tenth success remains the aim after winning their group. Given the final is in Madrid only adds to the pressure.
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
Verdict: Semi-finals certain, and potential winners.

Sevilla
The Spaniards were through before last night’s tie in Spain but injuries need to improve if they are to progress in the New Year. They failed to get this far last year, having won the Uefa Cup in 2006 and 2007.
Player to watch: Luis Fabiano
Verdict: Could be worth avoiding in the first knockout stage, but unlikely to get past the last eight.

Stuttgart
Christian Gross, once of Spurs, is the new coach, replacing Markus Babbel on Sunday, and he has inherited a side that qualified for the last 16 on Wednesday. They took five games to get their first win - at Rangers.
Player to watch: Thomas Hitzlsperger
Verdict: Too much for Gross; out at the first hurdle.

scantee:

As a Barca fan. we need strongest team to be draw with. i dont pray for weak team we can beat any team black and blue.

UP FCB

allboyz:


will like to see a Barca Vz ARS final in Madrid

HNIC:

Dayo gets Florentina