Editor's Note: This story was published in December but has been updated to reflect Manchester United's change in manager, Neymar's foot injury, as well as other key developments since the draw was made.

The path to the 2019 Champions League final in Madrid has become clear following the draw for the round of 16, which has thrown together some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Heavyweight clashes between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, and Ajax and Real Madrid ensure that some of the most successful clubs in the game will be facing elimination at the first knockout stage.

The draw has been kinder to leading contenders such as Manchester City and Barcelona, but who will come out on top when the Champions League resumes?

SCHALKE vs. MANCHESTER CITY

It might lack glamour, but Manchester City's pairing with Schalke is a dream draw for the Premier League champions.

Schalke, who qualified as runners-up behind Porto in Group D, are languishing in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, having won just six league games all season. Coach Domenico Tedesco has a squad low on the quality needed to worry City, so this tie should be a formality for Pep Guardiola's team.

Leroy Sane will return to Germany to face his former club, and it really should be a happy homecoming for the City winger in what is likely to be a mismatch. As for omens, City's only European title -- the 1970 Cup Winners' Cup -- came after beating Schalke en route to the final.

Who will go through? Manchester City

ATLETICO MADRID vs. JUVENTUS

Arguably the tie of the round sees two of the Champions League's unluckiest clubs collide. Atletico and Juventus have each reached, and lost, two finals during the past decade and both have pushed the boat out financially to ensure that 2019 is their year.

Atletico, who host the final at their own Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, brought in Diego Costa, though he has suffered from poor form and injury, as well as Thomas Lemar and Alvaro Morata. They also retained the services of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin. Juventus gambled heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo and also brough Leonardo Bonucci back to the club after a year in Milan.

This tie is very close to call. Both possess outstanding defences, terrific work rate and quality forwards, but Atletico's determination to play in their own final might just swing things in their favour.

Who will go through? Atletico Madrid

MANCHESTER UNITED vs. PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Marcus Rashford inspire Man United vs. PSG? Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

When the draw was made in mid-December, this tie threatened to be the biggest mismatch of the round, with Manchester United in crisis and PSG cruising at the top of Ligue 1, having won their qualification group ahead of Liverpool and Napoli.

But within 24 hours of the pairing being made, Jose Mourinho was sacked by United, whose subsequent revival under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given them real hope of success against the French champions. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been two of the big beneficiaries.

PSG, meanwhile, have been beset with problems. Neymar will miss both legs because of injury, as might Edinson Cavani, Adrien Rabiot continues to be overlooked because of a contract dispute and there are fitness concerns over Marco Verratti. A 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat at Lyon on Feb. 3 also dented confidence.

Who will go through? Manchester United

TOTTENHAM vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Tottenham made it into the knockout stages only after a final-day draw against Barcelona in the Camp Nou earned second spot in Group B for Mauricio Pochettino's team and the subsequent pairing with Dortmund, who they beat twice in last season's group stage, looked give them a route to the quarterfinals.

Despite Lucien Favre's team topping the Bundesliga, the Premier League side appeared to have the edge, but injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli will rule the England pair out of the first leg and could also see them miss the return game in Germany. Dortmund, meanwhile, boast attacking quality that includes Jadon Sancho.

This tie is now a tough one to call, but although Spurs appear slight favourites on current form, will it be enough?

Who will go through? Tottenham