2017 Champion’s League – Round of 16

champions league

The Champions league is back this week with plenty of big matches to keep us entertained. PSG host Barcelona in what should be a cracking contest with hopefully plenty of goals to be had. Similarly, Bayern Munich host Arsenal in a fixture that has produced varying outcomes in recent years whilst Real Madrid have a first up home outing against Napoli. The remaining match this week sees Benfica play Borussia Dortmund which should also be a hotly contested match.

**Odds from Sportsbet as at 13th Feb

15th Feb

PSG vs Barcelona

There’s been plenty of goals between these two in their recent meetings. Their last 6 meetings in the Champion’s league has seen both sides score in 5 of those whilst 4 of the 6 meetings have produced over 2.5 goals. Neither side has been shy on the goals either throughout their Champion’s league campaigns nor in their respective league campaigns. Barcelona have scored thus far a combined 81 goals in their 28 league & Champion’s league matches whilst for PSG they have produced a 63 from 31. That sets the platform here for goals especially given PSG have been far from their best defensively last season. In their 2015/16 league campaign they conceded a paltry 19 goals compared to 32 already this season. Look for goals in this one as it’s shaping up to be an entertaining one.

Predicted score: Barcelona 2-1

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.77 (90%)

Next Best: Barcelona to win either half at $1.55

Benfica vs Borussia Dortmund

Benfica are usually a tough side to play at home and that’s shown no more than their league form where they’ve yet to lose this season and have conceded just 6 goals in 11 matches. Going off their Champions league form earlier this season though, they may have a tough time of it. Their 3 home games they had a mixed bag with a draw, a loss and a win. It may well produce a Benfica side intent on keeping things tight against a Dortmund side intent on getting a positive result here. Dortmund lost in their last match at Darmstadt at the weekend and they’ll be keen to bounce back although they may have had an eye towards this fixture anyway. Regardless though, expect this one to be a pretty tight contest with Dortmund to take their chances if they present albeit Benfica will be intent on not allowing many chances to be had.

Predicted score: Draw 1-1

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.87 (80%)

Next Best: Half-time Draw at $2.1

 16th Feb

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal

Predicted score: Bayern Munich 2-1

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.59 (80%)

Next Best: Bayern Munich to win at $1.5

Real Madrid vs Napoli

Predicted score: Real Madrid 2-0

Best Bet: Real Madrid to win at $1.53 (85%)

Next Best: Real Madrid to lead at Half-Time at $2

Author

Goal

As an Australian growing up AFL was always my no.1 sport especially given I was lucky enough to grow up a few blocks from Carlton’s home ground, Princes Park, where I was lucky enough to attend many games. That’s where my passion for sport began but it was until the early 2000’s when I discovered a real passion for football with the Socceroos 2002 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay accelerating my football journey. From there I began to follow the Premier League and haven’t looked back since. These days I’m a massive Tottenham fan where I’ve enjoyed many sleepless nights religiously watching them without missing a game despite many roller coaster feelings. There’s just something magical and glamorous when you watch the EPL and knowing the Profits owners Drew and Euan through studies, I’m now lucky enough to be able to share my thoughts on each game each week of the season.

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