As always when it comes to this time of year, Europe's elite clubs will be looking ahead to February with a modicum of optimism or dread.
This season's Champions League last-16 draw threw up some very tasty ties and in two cases, rematches...
PSG v Chelsea
A repeat of last season's quarter-final, Chelsea will hope to prevail once again in this contest between two European heavyweights. They are definitely stronger than when they managed that 3 - 3 aggregate win, whereas PSG's squad remains relatively similar - bar the signing of ex-Blues defender David Luiz and impressive Ivory Coast full-back Serge Aurier.
Tactically-speaking, PSG have had far less possession in Europe this season compared to 2013/14 - although that is skewed by two games against Barcelona.
However, they are among the bottom three sides in the group stages for long balls attempted per game.
Either way, Jose Mourinho will prefer to play on the counter and will fancy himself to be able to manage game better than opposite number Laurent Blanc, who has been criticised in that regard.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic still retains the ability to provide moments of sheer magic, but PSG will need the supporting cast of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani to be on their game.
There is an added bonus for the French side this season: Javier Pastore's form. The Argentine playmaker, who scored in the first leg against Chelsea last season, has been much improved this term.
They also have good midfield options in Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti. How Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas, Oscar and Nemenja Matic cope against PSG's engine room will play a key part in deciding the winner.
#ToBeContinued CC @chelseafc ;-) pic.twitter.com/lzYCbbamoZ
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) December 15, 2014
Man City v Barcelona
Messi, Neymar, Aguero, Suarez, Toure...the star names roll off the tongue. However, Barcelona are still finding their feet under manager Luis Enrique, while Man City may just have found theirs in Europe.
Barcelona came out on top over two legs last February, but issues remain in defence and Enrique has been experimenting with two-holding midfielders on occasion. As of yet, it remains unclear what Barcelona's overall gameplan will be.
Man City, on the other hand, looked better balanced in midfield during the 2 - 0 win over Roma without Yaya Toure.
But can their defence hold out against the triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, who may well have gelled better by the time Spring comes around?
That will be crucial and a more conservative and packed midfield may be the way to go for Manuel Pellegrini.
Arsenal v Monaco
The only English side not involved in a rematch in the last-16 are Arsenal.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will return to the club where he made his name, but that is not what will be putting a smile on his face.
The Frenchman has 99 problems at Arsenal (albeit a gross over-estimation unless you're one of the 'characters' from Arsenal Fan TV) but at least this year a team starting with B is not one.
Too often, Arsenal have found themselves up against Bayern Munich and Barcelona at this stage of the tournament. Although Monaco are no pushovers, Wenger will fancy his chances of guiding Arsenal to a first quarter-final appearance since 2010.
It's AS Monaco - Mon. Wenger will be happy about the draw 😉😎 #UCLdraw #AFCvMON #COYG
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) December 15, 2014
Monaco do not concede a lot - based on their Champions League form - which has seen them give away just one goal.
But by that token, they scored just four goals in topping a weak Group C. In Ligue 1 they have also scored just 22 goals in 18 games as they languish in 6th place.
Left-back Layvin Kurzawa (2.3 league chances per game) is highly-sought after, while ex-Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov (their league top scorer with 5) and winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco (most prolific dribbler) provide the creativity.
Seven of their 22 league goals have come from set piece goals which will be a worry for an Arsenal side who struggle with balls into the box.
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