The Champions League returns from a week break on Tuesday as the last 16 second legs get under way. The first four sides to make it into the quarter finals will be decided this week, and we have three of the competition’s front runners in action. The Champions League doesn’t always offer up the most competitive games in this round, as the upcoming fixtures show, but we do have a few big games coming our way.
The headline game will be Chelsea playing PSG, as those sides are equally matched and the tie is finely poised after the first leg. We then have games that are already all-but decided, or games which aren’t too interesting, but they can always be spiced up with a bet or two on the action. Here we have previews for each of the midweek last 16 encounters, plus we have a betting tip for every game.
Tuesday 10th March 2015
Real Madrid v Schalke (19:45) – Real Madrid -1 (4/7 with Sky Bet)
Schalke head to the Bernabeu hoping to overturn a 2-0 defeat from the first leg, but few give them any chance. Roberto Di Matteo has produced more than his fair share of shocks in this competition in the past, but knocking out the holders from this position is pretty difficult to picture. His Schalke side didn’t embarrass themselves in the first leg against what has to be the best club side in the world, but they weren’t able to get themselves a goal to keep the tie alive.
If you’re betting on this one, there’s always the worry that Real will stay in first gear with the job basically done. But, they beat Schalke 6-1 in Germany last year and then won 3-1 in the second leg. They should be able to do something similar here, recording a comfortable win as they look to retain the trophy they lifted last year. Players like Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are always out looking for goals, so it’s hard to see them not taking this match seriously. Real Madrid with a -1 handicap is a good bet here, with the hosts looking to make the quarters in style.
Porto v Basel (19:45) – both teams to score (21/20 with Coral)
This game will once again be overshadowed by the Real Madrid game being on at the same time, although the lack of stakes in that game could work in the favour of this clash. No matter what the viewing figures are, this is a huge match for both sides. You wouldn’t have had them down as quarter finalists at the start of the season, but they’re both only one game away from making it now.
The first leg finished 1-1, leaving this game nicely set up for the return match in Portugal. The hosts are favourites, but Basel’s recent exploits away from home in Europe include knocking Liverpool out at Anfield and beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so they can’t be underestimated. It’s hardly likely to be a classic match, but there will be two sides on show who will be desperate to make it through. Basel proved in the group that they can do a job away from home, and it should be proven again here. Both teams to score looks to be the best bet in this one.
Wednesday 11th March 2015
Chelsea v PSG (19:45) – Chelsea to win (10/11 with Sky Bet)
This is the tie of the week, with this game very finely poised after a close encounter in the first leg. It finished 1-1 after the visitors took an early lead. Once again, Chelsea come in to this one with a full week of rest under their belt, while PSG have a weekend game prior to this. That should give Chelsea an advantage, as will their away goal, but don’t expect this match to be a completely straightforward home win for the Premier League leaders.
The game between these two in the quarter finals at Stamford Bridge last season was a lot more open than the 2-0 Chelsea win suggests. PSG were more than in the game until Demba Ba’s late second goal sent the Blues in to the semi finals. This time, it will likely be PSG out for goals, while Chelsea know they’re already ahead after their away goal in Paris. With both sides likely to play for the win, we should see an end to end game of football in this one, which is rare for a Champions League knockout tie. Chelsea’s quality should see them through though, and they’re well priced for the win here.
Bayern Munich v Shakhtar Donetsk (19:45) – Bayern to win to nil (4/6 with Coral)
This game threw up the big surprise of the week in the first leg, as many expected Bayern to record an easy win over a rusty Shakhtar side when they met at a neutral ground. That game ended 0-0, probably blew a few accumulators and gave the Ukrainians hope that they could upset the 2013 European champions, and make the last eight this season. Few people expect that to be the case, as Bayern are odds on to win this game, and they’re currently favourites to win the trophy with the bookies too.
With Bayern heavy favourites for this one, there isn’t a huge amount of value to be found. The home side are expected to be comfortable winners here, and they’re odds on in most markets. Bayern have been in excellent form at home of late, and they seem to be scoring goals for fun. That should be no surprise, given their manager and attacking talent at their disposal. Pep Guardiola’s men look good on the handicap market, which again is odds on with all bookmakers. Our tip is the German side to win to nil, as they’ve managed to keep seven clean sheets in their last nine home games. That’s an incredible record, and they’ll be looking to extend it on Wednesday night.