After a thrilling round of football last Wednesday and Thursday, the Champions League Round of 16 is back this week with the remaining four first leg matchups. Check out our preview and tips for some of the key games on this week below.
Bayern Munich vs Besiktas (Wednesday 6.45am AEDT)
Bayern Munich were impressive in the group stages of the Champions League but only finished second behind PSG as both teams finished with 15 points. Luckily for Bayern, they drew the easiest pool winner in Besiktas, who topped Group G in a surprising finish over FC Porto, Monaco and Leipzig.
The Turkish club topped Group G with 14 points but will face their hardest test to date as they come up against Bayern Munich away from home. The two teams have only faces each other twice in the Champions League fixtures, with Bayern taking both matches 2-0 back in the 1997-98 season.
Bayern have been almost unstoppable at home recently in the Champions League. They have won 19 of their last 20 UCL games at the Allianz Arena although Besiktas are the only side in this year’s Champions League to win all three of their away games in the group stage. However, Bayern poses a whole new level of threat for the Turkish side, and we cant see them being competitive in Germany.
TIP: Bayern Munich to win to nil - $1.83 at Sportsbet
Chelsea vs Barcelona (Wednesday 6.45am AEDT)
The game of the week sees Chelsea hosting Spanish giants Barcelona from Stamford Bridge on Wednesday morning. Chelsea have looked a little lacklustre in the domestic competition so far this season but after the dominance of Manchester City, they could be saving their ammunition to make a real run at the Champions League.
They’ll have to get past a red-hot Barcelona if they wish to advance, however. The Catalonians have barely put a foot wrong in the La Liga this season with a 19-5-0 record through their 24 games so far. They sit 7 points clear of Atletico in 2nd place and a whopping 17 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.
Chelsea and Barcelona have faced each-other 12 times in the Champions League, which is the fifth most played fixture in the competition’s history. Surprisingly, Chelsea have had the wood over Barcelona, going unbeaten in their last seven games against the Spanish side, although five of them have ended in draws. Tough game to call here, Chelsea’s form in the EPL has been nothing to write home about, and very rarely do you ever get odds of over $2 for Barcelona. We are backing Lionel Messi and Barcelona to get the job done away from home here.
TIP: Barcelona to win - $2.10 at Ladbrokes
Sevilla vs Manchester United (Thursday 6.45am AEDT)
Manchester United will look to continue their great season to date when they face off against Sevilla on Thursday morning. Manchester Currently sit second on the EPL table, behind only their cross-town rivals in Manchester City, although the race to qualify for next seasons Champions League has new found life, as the Red Devils now sit just four points ahead of Tottenham in 5th place.
By their standards, Sevilla have had a pretty regular 2017-18 season in the La Liga. They currently sit 5th on the table with a 12-3-9 record and will be looking to cause an upset here at home against Manchester. Sevilla have made the Round of 16 in the Champions League three times but have never progressed further.
This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides. Manchester United start as slight favourites at $2.40 away from home. Sevilla won’t want to budge an inch here, because a home loss would likely mean the end of their UCL campaign. Man United will likely be playing pretty reserved football as well, because they’ll feel a draw will be enough going back to England. We like the draw at $3.20 here.
TIP: Draw - $3.20 at Sportsbet
