UCL Round of 16 – Tips and Previews
Benfica vs. Club Brugge
7am, Wednesday
The market had this match-up as the most one-sided affair ahead of the first leg, and it was well-found after Benfica ran out 0-2 winners. This time, however, it’s an even worse outlook for Club Brugge as they enter as $6.50 outsiders to Benfica’s $1.36.
Portugal’s best team continued their sensational group stage form with a dominant display. They allowed just four total shots from Club Brugge while scoring twice in the second half through Joao Mario and David Neres.
Benfica is unbeaten in their last eight matches in the Champions League. They’ve won three in a row for the first time since 2005-06, and one can expect them to make four this time.
Chelsea vs. Borussia Dortmund
7am, Wednesday
Can Chelsea hit back against Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge? The market certainly believes so, with the Blues currently trading at $1.73 with Bet Nation.
Despite going down 1-0 in the first leg, Chelsea showed encouraging signs with 21 shots and eight of those on target. They just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Karim Adeyemi continued his fantastic form for Borussia with their only goal as they secured their first win over an English side in the UCL since 2014 (Arsenal).
It’s hard to see Chelsea failing in this one, as they must now come from behind to make the quarter-finals.
Tottenham vs. AC Milan
7am, Thursday
Speaking of first-leg losers entering their return bout as heavily backed favourites, Tottenham Hotspur will host AC Milan after going down 1-0.
A Brahim Diaz header in the seventh minute got Milan off to the perfect start before they held on bravely for their first Champions League last-16 victory since 2013.
Tottenham returned to form with back-to-back wins over West Ham and Chelsea but have since gone down to Sheffield United and Wolves. Harry Kane will need to lift if Tottenham is to have any chance, with the star striker scoring once in the past month.
FC Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain
7am, Thursday
Bayern Munich made it seven consecutive wins in this season’s UEFA Champions League when they defeated fellow European powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg.
Kingsley Coman scored for the winning side in the 53rd minute before the injection of Kylian Mbappe sparked much-needed life into the Parisians and the game itself. Unfortunately for PSG, Mbappe had two goals ruled out, but it sets the scene for the mouth-watering clash with the superstar clearly in better health.
It’s hard to imagine Bayern slowing down after winning their previous two games against Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart in impressive style.
