Europe’s elite prepare to do battle again with the UEFA Champions League returning on 15th February after the usual post-group stage break. The draw has given viewers some sensational ties with PSG facing Real Madrid, Inter at home to Liverpool, and Atletico Madrid hosting Manchester United.
It promises to be a very entertaining round of 16 – and that’s why we’ve put together our early preview and betting tips for every Champions League game taking place in February. Here are our tips and predictions for all the high stakes matches…
Round of 16 Matches
15th February
PSG v Real Madrid Betting Tips
Qatar-backed French giants PSG take on record winners of the Champions League (who hold an unprecedented 13 titles) Real Madrid, in arguably the biggest clash of the round. Messi and co enjoyed a good group stage campaign – which included a memorable victory over Manchester City – but they did lose to Pep’s men in the reverse fixture.
Los Blancos won five of their six group games, albeit in an arguably easier group than their French counterparts, scoring 14 goals in the process. Both sides currently top their respective domestic league tables going into this one and will be hoping they can secure a famous double come the end of the season – particularly PSG who are yet to get their hands on the converted Champions League trophy.
Madrid to get a victory in Paris comes in at 5/2 and they are Evens to qualify for the last eight. Both teams to score at 4/7 also looks like a decent call. Both teams to score and Real Madrid to win is our pick though, coming in at a healthy 9/2.
Sporting v Manchester City
The Premier League leaders travel to Portugal to face Sporting CP in what they will see as a very good draw compared to some of their domestic rivals. The Citizens are in fine form, flying high in the title race, and have made it abundantly clear that this is the trophy they most desire – especially after losing out in the final to Chelsea last season.
Sporting did very well in a tough group, seeing off the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Turkish giants Besiktas to secure second place and qualify for the Round of 16. However, they face a mammoth task in facing Pep Guardiola’s squad of superstars, with everything pointing to a comfortable City victory.
As expected, the odds on the away side winning are extremely short at 1/3, but over 2.5 match goals at 4/7 is decent. Asian handicap betting also has City -1.5 at near evens (1.950), which could prove fruitful given the current Premier League Champions tendency to hammer opponents, often with ease.
16th February
RB Salzburg v Bayern Munich
To say qualification from the group stage was easy for Bayern Munich would be a huge understatement! The German Champions and five-time Champions League winners swept aside opponents, winning six out of six games, scoring 22 and conceding just three goals. Not bad considering the group contained Barcelona and Benfica.
RB Salzburg on the other hand found it tougher going, but still beat off Wolfsburg and Sevilla to secure second spot behind Lille. They currently sit top of the Austrian Bundesliga by some distance and will be looking to cause their German opponents as many problems as possible going into this game.
It’s no surprise that Bayern are heavy favourites for this one at 3/10 to win the match. If you do want to have a punt on the upset, Salzburg winning would return a massive 8/1. Half time/ full-time markets could be a good route to go down here, with 3/1 odds for Draw/ Bayern.
Inter v Liverpool Betting Tips
Inter take on Liverpool in what promises to be an entertaining round of 16 clash. The Reds breezed through the qualification, winning all of their matches in a group consisting of Atletico Madrid, Porto and Inter’s arch-rivals AC Milan. Impressive from Klopp’s men, which is why they are one of the favourites to go all the way in this year’s competition, just as they did in 2019.
Inter are currently leading Serie A and look odds on to retain their crown, but the Nerazzurri will also be keen to progress in the Champions League having not won it since Mourinho guided them to the trophy in 2010. The cash injection progressing in the competition would provide a huge incentive for Inter as the club continues to battle with financial troubles.
Both teams to score looks likely for this one, with both teams tending to score and leak goals. That comes in at odds of 8/13 and similarly, over 2.5 match goals is 8/11. Liverpool to win and both teams to score in this one is currently 2/9.
22nd February
Chelsea v Lille
Current holders Chelsea take on French side Lille in what has been playfully dubbed ‘the Eden Hazard derby’. The Blues’ have struggled domestically as Manchester City widen the gap on their London rivals, but they did book themselves a place in the Carabao cup final, giving them a great shot at getting the first trophy of the season under their belts.
Lille, unsurprisingly, are huge underdogs in the tie as they endure a dismal campaign, sitting mid-table in Ligue 1 – some way off the Champions League qualification places. However, they did top group G in qualification only losing once, which will give them encouragement going into the last 16. But they would have to produce a huge upset against one of the most desired squads in world football, oozing talent in every position.
Chelsea are odds on favourites at 4/11, but the best bet could be found in the half-time/full-time markets, where a Chelsea/Chelsea bet is priced at Evens. If you think Lille can hold out for the first 45 minutes, however, the Draw/Chelsea bet gets you odds of 3/1.
Villarreal v Juventus
Last season’s Europa League Champions take on two-time Champions League winners Juventus, who despite a sub-par domestic season, did well to qualify top of their group above Chelsea, making them slight favourites for what promises to be a tight clash.
Villarreal finished second to Manchester United in their group and are currently battling it out to finish in a domestic European place in what is a congested La Liga table. Emery’s side will know this draw could have been much worse for them in terms of opposition and that should give them plenty of encouragement as they prepare to welcome the Italians to Estadio de la Cerámica.
Both teams to score at 5/ 6 looks a good tip at close to evens. But again, half-time/full-time markets could be the one to go for, with the draw/either side to win at a healthy 5/1. Match odds markets have Juve as slight favourites with odds of 31/20.
23rd February
Atletico Madrid v Manchester United
Ralf Rangnick’s side travel to Madrid in what promises to be one of the most interesting matchups of the round. The Red Devils have bounced back after a difficult start to life under the German coach and look to be climbing the Premier League table in their quest for a top-four spot.
But Ronaldo and co will have their work cut out if they are to get past Diego Simeone’s famously robust Atletico Madrid. Plus, with superstars like Luis Suarez still in the squad, they always have a chance of scoring, and given his history with United, you can bet he will be desperate to grab himself a goal.
The current La Liga Champions are slight favourites for this one at 7/5, but a double chance bet on Man United or the draw at 8/15 could be the one to go for in this game. If you fancy Madrid or the draw, that comes in at odds of 2/ 5.
Benfica v Ajax
Benfica v Ajax
Dutch Champions and 2019 semi-finalists Ajax take on Benfica in the last match in the round of 16. Ajax eased their way through the group stage with a maximum return of 18 points, beating Borussia Dortmund twice in the process.
Their opponents found it tougher going, qualifying in second place with just eight points. However, they did see off Spanish giants Barcelona in securing a place in the knockout rounds.
Ajax are priced at Evens and favourites win this match, which might prove a smart bet. Longer odds can be found in half-time/full-time markets with an Ajax/Ajax bet returning 9/4. For those looking to back the home side, however, double chance on Benfica or the draw gives you odds of 8/11.
For all the best odds on the Champions League round of 16 matches, visit bet365.com
You must be logged in to post a comment Login