FC Barcelona have finally managed to progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. Once just an expectation of the Catalan club, it had recently become quite the arduous task. However, Barcelona finally managed to return to the stage where they belonged.
However, the road only gets trickier from here on after. Only the best sixteen teams remain in Europe’s Premiere competition, and all of them will have high hopes. Yet, despite those dreams, Barcelona remain a team that will have many people rooting for them to do well.
While the actual draw for the Round of 16 is expected to be held on the 18th of December in Switzerland, others have already looked ahead. As highlighted by SPORT, a certain data simulator has already evaluated the most likely opponent for FC Barcelona in the knockout stages.
As per the data produced, German side RB Leipzig are evaluated to be Barça’s most likely opponent. In terms of percentages calculated, the chance of Barcelona facing off against the German side is 19.98%.
Almost a 20% chance by itself, this suggests that Barcelona has a 1/5 chance of facing Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons in February. The other sides in the calculation have more or less similar percentages. Around the 13% mark, the second highest percentage favors FC Copenhagen.
In terms of the season that Leipzig are currently having, the team would be a formidable opponent. Currently sitting in fourth place within the Bundesliga, they have proven to be a tricky side to beat. Most of their losses, three in total in the Bundesliga, have come in very close affairs.
In the Champions League, they have finished behind only Manchester City in their group. With four wins and two losses in the competition thus far, they are seen as a great team to face.
Despite the obvious problems with Barcelona, the Catalan giants have time to prepare. Regardless of who they end up facing, Xavi’s side has time until February to sort themselves out. Arrivals in January as well as returning players from injury will surely be a boost, but the tactical and individual aspects need to improve as well.