The round-of-16 of the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League is set to begin this Tuesday, February 18, 2020. The home and away knockout stage of this tournament will last until the final game in early May, and here we will predict which teams will qualify into the quarterfinals.
To watch these games online, sign up with FuboTV which offers a 7-day free preview.
The round-of-16 includes 16 teams from seven CONCACAF leagues: MLS, Liga MX, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Guatemala. Mexican teams have won every modern era edition of the CCL which dates back to 2008. That makes Liga MX teams into huge favorites to not only dominate the round-of-16 but also to once again win the tournament.
MLS teams are also expected to dominate this round, considering that league’s great growth in recent years. The most interesting game to watch in this round will be the Leon vs LAFC game. Both sides have incredible squads and fanbases and both have the capacity to achieve great things in this tournament.
2020 CCL Round-of-16 Predictions:
Saprissa vs Montreal Impact
This will be a very close contest between Saprissa from Costa Rica and the Impact from Canada. Saprissa is currently tied for 1st place in their league, and always give good battles in the CCL. Montreal did not have a good 2019 MLS season, but they enter this series as the favorite due to their superior squad.
Predicted Winner: Montreal Impact
Olimpia vs Seattle Sounders
Seattle is the clear favorite in this series. The reigning MLS champions have a superior squad and a more advanced team. The Sounders should not have many difficulties in defeating Olimpia from Honduras who currently sit in 3rd place in their league.
Predicted Winner: Seattle Sounders
San Carlos vs New York City FC
Once again, the MLS representative is a clear favorite to win this series. NYCFC was outstanding throughout its MLS 2019 campaign, finishing 1st in their Eastern Conference standings. San Carlos was 4th in the Costa Rican league last season and currently sit in 6th this Clausura 2020.
Predicted Winner: New York City FC
Alianza vs Tigres UANL
This will be one of the most mismatched series of this round. Alianza is El Salvador’s reigning Apertura 2019 champion, but they do not have a squad talented enough to defeat their Liga MX counterparts. While Tigres has not had a good start to their season, they have enough talent on the bench to easily defeat Alianza.
Predicted Winner: Tigres UANL
Leon vs Los Angeles FC
This match is undoubtedly the most interesting game to watch during this round. Both sides have great players and great stadium atmospheres. The advantage, however, goes to Leon who has more experience in international tournaments, and who is also having a great Liga MX where they sit in 3rd place. LAFC has all the energy in the world to do important things in this CCL, and they could. To their disadvantage, their season has not started and their form may not be to the level.
Predicted Winner: Leon
Portmore United vs Cruz Azul
Another mismatched encounter which will go in favor of the Mexican team. Portmore United finished in 3rd place in the Jamaican league, while Cruz Azul has a superior team which is currently in 6th place. This one is a no brainer, as Cruz Azul should easily qualify into the next round
Predicted Winner: Cruz Azul
Comunicaciones vs Club America
Yet another mismatched encounter that favors a Liga MX team. Comunicaciones currently leads the Guatemalan league, but Club America has a much stronger squad that should easily win this series. The team coached by Miguel Herrera is known to always be a title favorite, and a win against Comunicaciones should not be a surprise.
Predicted Winner: Club America
Motagua vs Atlanta United
Atlanta United is one of the best teams in North America, and qualifying into the next round should not be a difficult assignment. With players like Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco, and Pity Martinez, the MLS side is really a title contender. Motagua currently sits in 1st in the Honduran league but does not have the required talent to defeat a team like Atlanta.
Predicted Winner: Atlanta United
Round-of-16 Results
These predictions show that four MLS and four Liga MX teams will qualify into the quarterfinals, demonstrating their superiority in this region. The most high-caliber game of this round between Leon and LAFC will go in favor of Leon as they have one of the best squads, fan bases, and forms in Mexican soccer. It will be an outstanding series to watch, but Liga MX is still ahead of the MLS. There will be no surprises in this round.
To watch all the CCL 2020 games, you can find online live streams with FuboTV which offers a 7-day free preview.
