UCL Round of 16 – Tips and Previews
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
7am, Wednesday
The two powerhouses will meet again after playing off in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. It was Real Madrid who once again proved too strong on that occasion with a 1-0 victory resulting in their 14th European champions title.
Despite placing second in Group A behind Napoli, Jurgen Klopp’s men were struggling of late in eighth spot before notching back-to-back EPL wins. They have been ravaged by injury and will be sweating on the availability of Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan forward left the game with a shoulder injury against Newcastle United and could join Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago Alcantara and Calvin Ramsay on the sidelines.
Real Madrid has been in a similar boat with their aging list finding it difficult to string games together, but they still sit second behind Barcelona in La Liga. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema missed their recent outing against Osasuna with muscular fatigue but should be back for this.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Napoli
7am, Wednesday
Napoli has been backed in $2 favouritism in the first leg of their Round of 16 against Eintracht Frankfurt after cementing their position as one of the most exciting teams in the world.
They currently sit on top of the standings in Serie A and lead Inter (2nd) by 15 points following seven consecutive victories. They’ve kicked 12 more goals than Inter on the back of dominant performances by Victor Osimhen, who leads Serie A with 18.
After finishing second in their group and qualifying for the knockout stages with a 2-1 victory over Sporting CP, the hosts are not without a chance. They’ve won three of their past four matches and might boast the most damaging player in Europe right now, Randall Kolo Muani.
RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City
7am, Thursday
The shortest of any team in this week’s block of matches, Manchester City head into their Round of 16 clash with RB Leipzig as $1.67 favourites.
It’s not entirely surprising after winning two of their last three in the EPL, including a 3-1 thumping of Arsenal. Erling Haaland is playing like a man possessed with his 26 EPL goals, nine more than the next best, while Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri lead assists and passes, respectively.
RB Leipzig has a tough ask against arguably the best team in Europe, but enter the match in form following their 3-0 victory over Wolfsburg.
Center-forward duo, Andre Silva and Timo Werner, are working well together, receiving plenty of opportunities from their midfield cohort of Dominik Szoboszlai and Konrad Laimer. While they’re sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, they should find things far too tricky against Pep Guardiola’s outfit.
