8 – Arsenal (Group D runners-up, 4-1-1, 13 points)
The Gunners are possibly the biggest enigma of European football as they have appeared in 17 consecutive Champions League tournaments, but have never won it. Arsene Wenger’s side are looking good for another year of Champions League football at the moment in the Premier League and Monaco shouldn’t pose them too many problems, though Arsenal did struggle against Anderlecht in the group.
7 – Juventus (Group A runners-up, 3-1-2, 10 points)
The Old Lady are looking a good bet for yet another Scudetto, but it’s a long time since they mounted a serious push for European honours. They only beat Greek side Olympiakos out of the group by one point, but have been drawn against Dortmund, who are having a torrid season domestically, in the next round – get past that and it could be on for the Italians.
6 – Atletico Madrid (Group A winners, 4-1-1, 13 points)
It would be unfair to say Atleti eased through their group which was tightly contested, though they did win it. They have fallen away in La Liga’s title race, sitting seven points off city rivals Real Madrid and as such could be eyeing the trophy they missed out on last year, having lost in the final. Manager Diego Simeone is a tactical genius and seems to constantly pull rabbits out of hats, it wouldn’t be an upset for Atletico Madrid to lift the trophy.
5 – Paris Saint-Germain (Group F runners-up, 4-1-1, 13 points)
Impressive in the group stage and managed a home victory against much fancied Barcelona. Drawn against 2012 winners Chelsea in the next knockout round, the side who put them out in the quarter-finals last year, and will be wary of a much improved Blues. Should they progress Les Parisiens will have very little to fear