Last week’s Champions League action didn’t give us too many shocks, but we’ve got another batch of second legs to enjoy. After Chelsea were eliminated by PSG, can anyone keep the Premier League flag flying this week? We have four fantastic ties to look forward to, with at least two of them finely poised.
Manchester City have one foot in the quarter finals, while Arsenal seem to be on their way out against Barcelona. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid are level in their tie with Dutch side PSV, as are Bayern Munich and Juventus. These should end up being four good matches, even if two already seem settled. We’re taking a look at the remainder of the last 16 ties, and as ever we’ve got a betting tip for each clash.
Tuesday 15th March 2016
Atletico Madrid v PSV Eindhoven (19:45) – Atletico to win to nil (20/23 with Coral)
When these two sides met three weeks ago, it was far from an entertaining affair. The game finished 0-0 in Holland, which isn’t the greatest scoreline for either side. PSV would have loved to come into the second leg ahead, while Atletico know they’re walking a tightrope without an away goal to their name. That leaves this game so finely poised, it’s hard to know how these two sides will approach the match. While Atletico are heavy favourites, they aren’t the most clinical up front. If they leave themselves too open, their hopes would be dashed.
PSV are likely to play on the counter here, and the two sides will probably start slowly to feel each other out. Atletico will be worried about the prospect of conceding an away goal, but if they can reproduce their domestic defensive record here, they should have no problems. They’ve got an incredible record in La Liga, letting in just 12 goals in 28 games, keeping 18 clean sheets in the process. It’s no wonder that they’re priced below evens to win and keep a clean sheet. Despite those seemingly low odds, we’re still going for Atletico to win to nil at 20/23 with Coral.
Manchester City v Dynamo Kiev (19:45) – City -1 handicap (11/8 with Sky Bet)
Man City completely blew away Dynamo Kiev in the first meeting in Ukraine. City were 3-1 winners, a result which should be enough to put them through to the quarter finals for the first time. Given how the other English clubs are faring in Europe this term, the Premier League needs City to do well. It’s hard to see Dynamo overturning the current score, but they surely have to come and attack at the Etihad to try and restore some pride. That could play right into City’s hands.
Dynamo were good at times in Ukraine, and they played some decent stuff at Stamford Bridge in the group stages, but they can’t match City. If they do push forward and go for goals, or even just a win on the night, City will break and punish them with attacking pace. While this tie looks over, the Citizens won’t be resting anyone, they’ll be looking to send out a message. That’s why we see City recording a big win here, and booking a place in the quarter finals. They should win this comfortably on the night, going far clear on aggregate, assuring some English interest in Europe going forward into the next phase.
Wednesday 16th March 2016
Barcelona v Arsenal (19:45) – Both teams to score (10/11 with Betfair)
Arsenal held on for 70 minutes against Barcelona, before the Catalans broke through and hit two goals. A 0-0 draw would have been something for them to cling to here, but even still you’d have expected them to go out. That’s no great shame, in fact losing to this side is perhaps the best possible way that the Gunners can make a last 16 exit, something they do every season. 2010 was the last time they made it past this stage, at least now they have an excuse for their early departure.
It’s hard to make any kind of case for Arsenal here. Barcelona have too much going forward for the Gunners to stop them at the back. Needing at least a 2-0 win at the Nou Camp, it’s strange that Wenger is even going to bother with a strong team. There are two other trophies that they could actually win, so why risk stars in the second leg of a tie that Wenger himself – optimistically in our eyes – called, “95% over”? It’s likely we will see a strong Arsenal side, and they should get a goal now they’re not so worried about keeping a clean sheet. Barca have a pretty poor defensive record at home, so we’re backing both teams to score here.
Bayern Munich v Juventus (19:45) – Over 2.5 Bayern goals (13/8 with Coral)
This is certainly the tie of the round, and this game seems to be the highlight of the week. Juventus fought back from 2-0 down at home in the first leg to rescue a 2-2 draw, but they need an even bigger effort to make it through. They’ll need to win here, or get a 3-3 draw to make it into the next round. Bayern may have wobbled towards the end in Turin, but can you really see them being upset here?
Bayern made a habit of struggling on their travels last season, as they slipped up in both the last 16 and quarter final away legs, before recording a huge home win to make it through. We think this tie is following that same pattern, with Bayern set to get a big win to book their place in the quarters. Pep Guardiola will want to end his reign here with a Champions League win and Bayern are one of a few sides who are capable of winning the trophy. The hosts may be worth a look in the handicaps market, but we’re backing over 2.5 goals for the German side, at 13/8 with Coral.