Champions League Round of 16 draw: Have Man City got a clear run to defend their crown?

Manchester City will have smiles on their faces. After throwing away three points against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium over the weekend, they have been given a very favourable Champions League round of 16 draw. 

Copenhagen are to face the defending champions and the Cityzens will be elated with the tie, while their rivals continue to receive comparatively difficult draws after another 'favourable' tie for City.

City are currently 2/1 to go all the way for the second year running, and you might want to be quick if you think they can do it. After Monday's draw that price might change quickly, especially if it is backed heavily - which we can very much see happening.

Copenhagen have given a good account of themselves in the Champions League this season, handing City's rivals Manchester United a chastening 4-3 defeat at the Parken, but they will face a very difficult test against the reigning champions. This tie will be seen by many as a free hit for Man City and some will already have them placed in the hat for the quarter-finals.

And then when you look at the rest of the field, there is a chance they could then face the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund, Porto or Real Sociedad in the last eight. Then suddenly, that 2/1 is offering great value on them to become only the second club, after Real Madrid's three-peat between 2016 and 2018, to win successive crowns.

Los Blancos will be happy with their draw, too. Mainly because of their majesty on the European stage, Real Madrid don't ever tend to be fazed by anyone they face in the Champions League and that shouldn't change against RB Leipzig.

However, these two sides were in the same group in last year's iteration of the competition and, while Madrid won their home clash 2-0, they were beaten 3-2 in Leipzig. This is something that Carlo Ancelotti and his players will be well aware of ahead of their reunion.

Similarly to City, they will see the favourable possibilities in the quarter-final draw should they pass this test with flying colours. They will consider themselves a much stronger outfit this year, particularly thanks to summer signing Jude Bellingham having an instant impact at the club.

His 17 goals in his opening 20 games is glowing proof of his talent, and if star quality is what is required to carry you through, the England international certainly can do that for Real Madrid.

Another Englishman who is scoring plenty of goals for his side this season is Bayern Munich's Harry Kane. The forward has scored 24 competitive goals already this term and his addition to the German giants' front line has certainly boosted their chances of becoming the champions of Europe for a seventh time.

Bayern are currently the second favourites to win the competition at 7/2, and they will be pleased with their round-of-16 tie with Lazio. Kane's impact at the Allianz Arena so far cannot be overstated. Not only has he been able to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski over a year ago, but his ability to create chances as well as finish them has significantly improved Bayern's fluidity in attack.

The German champions were winners of this prestigious competition as recently as 2019-20, when they defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Les Parisiens have been desperate to win the Champions League for years but, as we know, their wait goes on.

PSG were hot and cold during the group stage but were able to get over the line in the end to progress to the knockout stage with Borussia Dortmund. They will see their draw against Real Sociedad as a good opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals, but they cannot afford to underestimate the Spanish club, or expect Mbappe to guide them through singlehandedly. There is a reason why they still find themselves outside the favourites for European glory. They are 12/1 to get the prize they crave this season.