Manchester City travel to Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, when the two teams clash in the first leg of the round of 16.

Pep Guardiola's side remain one of the tournament favourites, but a close Premier League title race at home could stunt their European charge.

Atletico Madrid and Juventus also meet on Wednesday in Spain, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to return to the city where he made his name in La Liga.

Wednesday's 1st-Leg Matches

Schalke 04 vs. Manchester City (8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET)

Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus (8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET)

Match Odds

Schalke 11-1, City 2-7, draw 11-2

Atletico 37-19, Juventus 15-8, draw 21-10

Odds relayed by Oddschecker.

Live Stream

BT Sport website (UK), B/R Live (U.S.)

Schalke 04 vs. Manchester City

Schalke will need to be at their most resolute as they run into one of the best teams on the planet.

Guardiola's side have faced some criticism this term but only in comparison to the high standards they have set themselves.

The English champions have not consistently hit the heights of last season, when they demolished teams with ease, but City have started to find their groove in recent weeks.

The Sky Blues have leapfrogged Liverpool in the Premier League standings, and they have produced vintage displays since slipping to a shock 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United on January 29.

City have scored 11 goals in their last four games, including victories against Arsenal and Chelsea, and they appear ready to progress in the Champions League.

The 6-0 win against Chelsea on February 10 underlined how dangerous Guardiola's squad remains at the business end of the campaign.

Schalke are miles off the pace in the Bundesliga and face a potential relegation battle in the final months of the season.

The German side have won only six games in the league this term in a woeful run of domestic form.

Leroy Sane could face his former team on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has struggled to claim a regular starting place under Guardiola this term, but he remains one of the most exciting talents in Europe.

The Germany international has found himself on the bench lately, but he has made 27 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League this season, scoring 10 goals.

Speaking to BT Sport (h/t Tom Marshall-Bailey and Josh Challies of the Manchester Evening News), Sane explained how Guardiola has helped him and the team improve since arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

"To know exactly where we are or where the players are. [We train] in different situations so that we have always solutions. 

"It's not like we train just whatever and then after the training session we go on the pitch and it will just happen. It's the same as set-pieces. You have to practise it so everyone knows it. At a certain time, if you keep doing it and keep doing it then it becomes easier in your head. 

"Pep always wants us, especially the strikers, to do our own thing and sometimes to create something different, not to be predictable. I'm training a lot now on my right foot to not be so predictable."

City are big favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, and if they perform anywhere near their best, the tie could be over before the return leg on March 12.

Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus

Ronaldo is back in the Spanish capital after leaving for Turin last summer, intent on causing pain for an old enemy.

There will be no love lost for Atletico fans when the former Real Madrid star steps on to the pitch at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old is chasing his sixth Champions League triumph, but he will know the defensive qualities of Los Rojiblancos will be a major hurdle to overcome.

Atleti have been Barcelona's closest rivals for the Spanish title for much of this season and are two points clear of Los Blancos in the La Liga table, but Diego Simeone's side have not been prolific in front of goal.

However, former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi has said Atleti are one side the Serie A champions did not want to face at this stage of the tournament.

Speaking to Radio Marca (h/t Padraig Whelan of Marca), Tacchinardi explained his thoughts ahead of the first leg.

"It is a very difficult tie for both teams. I think Juventus will go through but with a lot of difficulty because they have a strong opponent in front of them.

"This Juventus side have been more improved since they came back from the break as they are now are playing much better. 

"If Juventus are not at 100 per cent, they could lose; at 70 per cent, they won't beat Atletico. 

"I have played against Simeone many times and Atletico play like he did when he was a player, with desire and personality. 

"The worst opponent for Juventus are Atletico under Simeone."

Once again, Juve have dominated the Italian title race, allowing them to shift their attention to the Champions League.

The Turin club have been consistent since the start of the season but have lacked the explosiveness expected after the purchase of Ronaldo.

His 19 goals and eight assists in 24 Serie A games underline why the club brought him to Italy, but he has only managed to find the net once in the Champions League for his new team.

Simeone will hope this trend continues for the forward, and the Atleti defence will be tasked with freezing the Portugal international out of the game in Madrid.