Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has stated that he feels the Champions League will show Serie A's superiority over the Premier League as he tips Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma to knock out Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

The teams meet on February 23 and 24 in the first knockout round of the Champions League, and all three ties should prove to be close encounters.

The 69-year-old has managed all three Italian sides left in the competition and expects them to triumph over their English opposition.

Speaking to The Daily Mirror, Trapattoni said, "Juventus have a 51 per cent chance of beating Chelsea. They are going very well.

"Alessandro Del Piero is always dangerous from set pieces. He'll be a key factor.

"As for Arsenal against Roma, I would bet on Roma to win. Arsenal are another club that is an open building site right now. Arsenal have the freshness of their young players, but Roma have come through similar games before."

The former Milan great suggested that United have the best chance of the three English teams of progressing to the next round, but also warned them against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"Inter and Manchester United are the two strongest teams in Europe and whoever wins will go on to become European champions," continued Trapattoni.

"Alex Ferguson has managed to blend the physical strength of English football with the talents of superstars with Latin American spirit.

"But Inter have their weapons like Zlatan Ibrahimovic."