Fantastic week in the Champions last week as we hit on all three of our betting tips with PSG, Tottenham and Real Madrid all winning their respective games. We’ll look to continue our hot form this week as the remaining eight teams face off in their Round of 16 first leg matchups.
Catch our preview and tips for some of the key matchups of the week here.
Champions League Round of 16 Betting Tips
Lyon vs Barcelona (Wednesday 7am AEDT)
Barcelona have been going about their business in the 2018-19 domestic season. They have lost just two games through 24 in the La Liga to lead the league by seven points. As usual, they have been one of the most prolific teams in the world, scoring 61 goals through their 24 games and allowing just 23. The Spanish giants will be boosted by the return of Frenchman Samuel Umtiti, who has recovered from knee injury and will re-join the squad for the clash.
Lyon haven't been the dominant force that we have come to expect in the last few seasons of Ligue 1, however, they still sit inside the top three with a 13-7-5 record through their first 25 games. They have, however, won just five of their last ten games and have scored just 40 goals through their 25 games which is the lowest of any team in the top four.
Barcelona are unbeaten against Lyon, winning four of their six previous matches against the French side. All six games have come in the Premier League, the last of which was 10 years ago in the 2008-09 tournament, which saw Barcelona win 6-3 on aggregate over the two legs. The two sides are both unbeaten in the Champions League so far, however, after a win in day one of the group stage, Lyon went on to draw their next five group stage matches. Tough to look past Barcelona here even away from home.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich (Wednesday 7am AEDT)
Probably the best matchup in the Round of 16 sees Liverpool facing off against German giants Bayern Munich. Liverpool will host the first leg at 7am Wednesday morning (AEDT) and will be desperate to take a series lead back to Germany as Bayern have lost just one of 10 home games in the Bundesliga so far this season. They currently sit second on the table, behind only Borussia Dortmund, with 15 wins from 22 games and are yet to lose in the Champions League this season.
Liverpool started the Premier League season in hot form, however, have recently surrounded top spot on the table to Manchester City. While the Reds have only lost one game compared to City’s four, they have failed to claim full points in a further five matches, including two in the last three weeks to send them to second on the table.
Bayern Munich have won just one of their seven matches against Liverpool in European competition, however, the only time the two teams have faced in the Champions League/European Cup was all the way back in 1980-81, where Liverpool progressed after a tight fixture. Liverpool are unbeaten in 19 consecutive games at Anfield but have struggled to earn maximum points in their last few games in the Premier League. We think this will be a tight battle and see real value in the draw here.
Atletico Madrid vs Juventus (Thursday 7am AEDT)
Another fantastic matchup in the Round of 16 sees Cristiano Ronaldo and his new team, Juventus, squaring off against his old rivals in Spain, Atletico Madrid. Atletico have been characteristic in the La Liga so far, allowing the fewest goals in the competition at just 17 through 24 games and currently sitting second behind only Barcelona on the table. They have just 13 wins from their 24 games, but have already racked up 8 draws.
Juventus remain undefeated in their first domestic season with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. They sit atop the Serie A table with a 21-3-0 record through 24 games and have plundered a whopping 52 goals and allowed just 15, which is the highest and lowest mark respectively in the league.
Atletico Madrid have met Juventus seven times previously in European competition, however, five of those matchups came all the way back in the 60s. The sides last Champions League clash came back in the 2014 group stage, where Madrid claimed a 1-0 win at home before holding on for a 0-0 draw away. Tight betting contest here as Juventus start as the slightest of favourites. We think this will be a low scoring match as teams fight for supremacy.
Both teams to score - NO
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