Champions League: 4 Tasty Knockout Ties That Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal Could Face

3. Chelsea vs Galatasaray

You might not think Galatasaray are the force they once were, particularly given their position off the pace in the Turkish Super League. Consider this though €“ they knocked Juventus down into the Europa League in appalling conditions for football by winning the final Champions League group stage game.

Roberto Mancini has resurfaced at the Istanbul giants after being sacked by Manchester City at the end of last season. He has a trio of former Premier League players at his disposal. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba would face old club Chelsea €“ a prospect Blues boss Jose Mourinho certainly relishes.

Emmanuel Eboue, once of Arsenal, and Albert Riera, who had spells at City and Liverpool, are often used as wingbacks by Galatasaray. Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder meanwhile is one of two midfield players that made headlines at the last World Cup.

The other is combative Brazilian Felipe Melo. Galatasaray would thus offer Chelsea a tough test. Mourinho has time to address his misfiring strikeforce before the knockout stage begins. Speculation is rife that January reinforcements could be on the way up front.

Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba have each managed two goals in the group stage. Even if neither one of these three nail down the centre forward spot there's still plenty coming from the supporting cast.