Champion’s League – Round of 16

champions league

The next round of Champion’s League fixtures take place this week with other big hitters such as Juventus & Atletico Madrid getting their campaigns back under way. Going by last week’s results though, it just goes to show that anything can happen in this competition. You need only look at Barcelona’s 4-0 loss away at PSG to see how things can change drastically and although we might not likely see similar results in this week’s fixtures, you really just never know. Perhaps that’s just another reason why this sport truly is the world game.

**Odds from Sportsbet as at 21st Feb

22nd Feb

Manchester City vs Monaco

This looks a tricky test for both sides really and at this stage looks pretty even. Both sides had pretty similar results in their group stage fixtures with City finishing on 9 points, 6 behind Barcelona, whilst Monaco topped their group with 11. Leading into this fixture, City have been on a decent run of form after plenty of inconsistent patches this season. Before their FA Cup draw at Huddersfield town, they were on a 5 game winning streak scoring 11 goals with just the one conceded. That will give them a good base heading into this one. For Monaco, they’ve been far more consistent this season and currently top the table in Ligue 1. They’ve lost just 3 times in the league and are currently on a 12 game undefeated streak in all competitions.

Monaco look well placed in this one to get something out of this match. The loss of Gabriel Jesus to injury for City is a big blow as he was in great form and gave City another attacking dimension. City still have Aguero of course who will want to play well to prove his worth but in the end this one looks like it’ll be a pretty open and even contest.

Predicted score: Draw 2-2

Best Bet: Both teams to score – yes at $1.62 (85%)

Next Best: Over 2.5 goals at $1.62

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be tough to beat over both legs here and it will be particularly difficult for Bayer Leverkusen to score goals. Atletico have an incredibly strong defensive record in the Champions League. So far they’ve conceded just twice through the group stages and they are well placed to build on their run to the final last season when they lost on penalties to Real Madrid. Last season Atletico conceded just 8 goals through the whole campaign from 13 games and are well placed ahead of these Round of 16 fixtures to progress once again.

These two last met in the 2014/15 knockout stages with the first leg away at Bayer Leverkusen where Atletico lost 1-0 before turning it around 4-2 in the 2nd leg. This will follow a similar pattern this season in terms of the first leg not looking likely to produce a lot of goals.

Predicted score: Atletico 1-0

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.54 (90%)

Next Best: Atletico Madrid Draw No Bet at $1.66

23rd Feb

FC Porto vs Juventus

Predicted score: Juventus 1-0

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.5 (85%)

Next Best: Juventus to win either half at $1.67

Sevilla vs Leicester

Predicted score: Sevilla 2-0

Best Bet: Both teams to score – No at $1.72 (80%)

Next Best: Under 2.5 goals at $1.97

 

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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