Mixed emotions for English clubs after Champions League draw

Your turn to play 'em, @Arsenal! #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/ojx5obbkX7

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 14, 2015

Apart from several underwhelming stalemates in previous weeks, Luis Enrique’s Spanish champions have been well on course for a second successive La Liga coup, and retaining the Copa del Rey grows closer too, following a recent 6-1 thrashing of Villanovense.

If the Gunners are to overcome Barcelona for only the second time in Europe’s elite club competition, they will have to thwart seemingly unstoppable South American attacking trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, who have an amazing 46 goals between them so far this term.

With such a disheartening draw for the Gunners, they are 33/1 to go all the way this season, as Wenger seeks to clinch the one trophy that has so far eluded him in his 19-year reign.

Chelsea contest constant foes PSG in last 16

Under-pressure Chelsea boss Mourinho will be sick of the sight of French champions PSG, with the Blues having now been drawn against them in the knockout stage for three consecutive Champions League campaigns.

The rivalry continues between @PSG_English and @ChelseaFC: The New Classic pic.twitter.com/1YCdRI6NDC

— PSG English (@PSG_English) December 14, 2015

Although, Mourinho has lost only one match against PSG as manager of the Blues, an encouraging boost considering his side’s domestic falterings this term, but last season the French side won their dramatic tie on away goals.

The stuttering top-flight champions are 16/1 to taste European success, with Coral also offering 5/1 on any Premier League team winning the competition next year, but they face a tough task against one of the continent’s in-form sides.

PSG were boosted by the arrival of Angel Di Maria last summer, as well as German stopper Kevin Trapp and Layvin Kurzawa, and Laurent Blanc’s capital club have stormed to a 15-point lead atop of Ligue 1, going unbeaten domestically to date.

Love The Champions League draw. Great tie for City but nightmare ties for Arsenal and Chelsea. https://t.co/fK68Phi9lC

— michael owen (@themichaelowen) December 14, 2015

In fact, their only defeat this season was a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in Europe but, with a fourth successive French title seemingly assured, they will be going all out for a crowning Champions League glory (16/1). But Mourinho will be targeting competition success as his side’s pathway back into European action next season, making for another intriguing tie.

Man City ambitions boosted by favourable Kiev draw

Of all the remaining English outfits left in the Champions League, it’s Man City who are undoubtedly the happiest with their draw, having been paired-up with Ukrainian challengers Dynamo Kiev, and they are 12/1 to triumph next year.

Round of 16: Dynamo Kiev.. Here we go! No matter how hard the game is, we will be even harder! #UEFA #UCL #MCFC pic.twitter.com/5rEPrww9fg

— Eliaquim Mangala (@Elia22Mangala) December 14, 2015

The Sky Blues will see this as their best chance of finally lifting a European Cup, but Kiev may pose more of a threat than people are assuming. Under the guidance of national hero Serhiy Rebrov, the club ended a six-year wait for a domestic crown and the two-time UEFA Cup winners will seek a shock over City.

Dynamo Kiev beat Man City 2-1 on aggregate in 2010/11 Europa League knockout tie, a result which may breed some confidence into the current crop of players looking back, but under Manuel Pellegrini, City have looked capable of properly challenging the big boys this time around.

Related

Read our Champions League archive.

Make sure to check out the Europa League last 32 draw too.