It’s been a long time since we last had Champions League action, but the knockout stages of the UCL finally get underway this week with four big games! We have you covered with a preview and betting picks for all four games below.
Remember to check out our Soccer Picks page for regular updates on the Champions League and the EPL!
Champions League Round of 16 Betting Picks
Paris Saint Germain vs Real Madrid
Tuesday February 15th, 3.00pm (ET)
Probably the best matchup in the Round of 16 sees PSG going up against Real Madrid. The first leg will be played in France on Tuesday afternoon but the home side will have some key players out with injury including the likes of Neymar, Ramos and Herrera. Madrid look really healthy going into the game, with only striker Karim Benzema a question mark, but likely to play.
These two teams have played in some high scorign games in recent history. in their last five games dating back to 2016, they have averaged a combined 3.6 goals per game, with each team claiming two wins before playing out a 2-2 draw in their last game back in 2019. Tough game to call but I actually think there is some value in the away side here. Real have been dominant in the La Liga so far this season, maintaining a 16-6-2 record and sitting atop the table. With a few key injuries to Paris, expect Madrid to be competitve here.
Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City
Tuesday February 15th, 3.00pm (ET)
Manchester City will look to continue their ominant season as they travel to Portugal to take on Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday afternoon. Argubaly one of the bigger missmatches in the Round of 16, we expect Manchester City to move on here, and the bookies have made them nearly unbackable in the fisrt leg, opening with them at just -180 to win.
The two sides have squared off just three times in their history but not since all the way back in 2012. Mancester City won their last matchup 3-2, but we can’t exactly take a lot from that. They have a few key injuries, with Grealish, Mendy, Palmer and Walker all out for this clash, I still expect them to be too strong for the Portugese side though.
Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday February 16th, 3.00pm (ET)
Another big missmatch here sees hte juggernaut Bayern Munich facing off against Austrian opponent Red Bull Salzburg. Salzburg are the powerhouse of the Austrian Bundesliga, maintaining a 15-3-1 record and sitting 14 points clear at the top of the table at the moment, but the level of oppoennt here will be a completely different ball game.
Not only will the Austrian side have an incredibly tough opponent, but they will be without a bunch of players through injury, with Bernado, Junuzovic, Koita, Okoh, Sesko and Vallci all out. The two sides faced twice in 2020 and Bayern won both games with a combined goal aggregate of 9-3. Back them to win easily here.
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
Wednesday February 16th, 3.00pm (ET)
Liverpool will travel to italy to take on an undermanned Inter side on Wednesday afternoon, as Milan will be without Barella, Bastoni, Correa, Gosens ad Vecino for the game. Liverpool should be at or near full strength, meaining they have opened as slight favourites for the game. The Reds have found form in England of late, winning their last six games across the EPL, FA Cup and EFL leagues.
These two sides haven’t played since all the way back in 2008, when Liverpool won both legs of a Champions League tie. I expect Inter to be more competitive at home, but at +100, it’s hard to look past the in-form Liverpool at the moment.
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