Smicer backing English clubs to capitalise on kind UCL draw

Champions League winner Vladimir Smicer is backing both Arsenal and Manchester City to reach the tournament's quarter-finals after being handed favourable draws.

Mikel Arteta's side will face Porto in the last 16, while Pep Guardiola's City take on Copenhagen after the Danes finished ahead of Manchester United in Group A.

Smicer knows what it takes to go all the way having scored in normal time and the shootout as Liverpool produced an epic comeback against AC Milan in the final 18 years ago.

He said: "Of course, on paper for me, they [Arsenal] are the favourites.

"They are playing well in the Premier League and they have done well in the Champions League so far, but you never know, especially with Porto.

"Porto are a team who have a few Brazilian and Argentinian players and they always want to show up on this big stage. They are a dangerous team.

"I do think Arsenal are capable of winning both ties. I think even in Porto they can get a good result and finish it at home.

"Likewise, it's a good draw for City. I know Copenhagen well because they beat Sparta Prague to qualify for the Champions League.

"I saw their games against Man Utd and they are a solid team. 

"If they feel that they have a little chance, they will work hard and fight for it.

"But Man City with their quality, they should go through easily."

Inter Milan will take on Atletico Madrid and Napoli face Xavi's Barcelona in the other notable fixtures.

Smicer, 50, added: "I think a very good tie will be Inter Milan against Atletico Madrid because these two teams are doing well in their leagues.

"Atletico is always a tough team to play with Diego Simeone. He will always prepare the team well and Inter Milan are leading Serie A. 

"They are a solid team. I like them, so it's going to be a good tie for me.

"Also Napoli against Barcelona. Both teams are struggling a little bit, so it's going to be very interesting because it's quite open for me."

Although many of the big guns have avoided each other at this stage, Smicer is keeping an eye out for any potential upsets in the last 16.

Last season saw Napoli dumped out by a struggling AC Milan side and Paris Saint-Germain were ejected early on by Bayern Munich.

Smicer said: "An interesting one to watch would be PSV Eindhoven against Borussia Dortmund.

"Dortmund will be slightly favoured but I think PSV are a good side and they play well, so I can see them possibly beating Dortmund.

"Or Paris Saint-Germain against Real Sociedad. 

"Sociedad are a very good team, a good side and PSG sometimes struggle away from home, they are poor in the Champions League especially."

The Champions League will return on February 13 as teams look to progress towards the 2024 final at Wembley.