European football is back in some style in midweek with a number of big fixtures taking place in Europe’s top two club competitions. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all feature in the UEFA Champions League. There is also a scintillating glamour tie between two of the tournament favourites as PSG travel to Madrid to face Real.
Arsenal continue their UEFA Europa League journey with a two-legged tie against Ostersunds of Sweden on Thursday. That should be straightforward for the Gunners but Celtic begin their tournament with a tougher looking home tie against Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg on the same night.
- Basel v Manchester City – Manchester City to Win to Nil (7/5 at BetVictor)
- Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur – Juventus to Win 1-0 (11/2 at Betfred)
- Porto v Liverpool – Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score (10/3 at Bet365)
- Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain – 1-1 Draw (15/2 at BetVictor)
- Ostersunds v Arsenal – Arsenal to Win -1 (17/10 at Betfair)
- Celtic v Zenit Saint Petersburg – Draw (23/10 at Coral)
- Copenhagen v Atletico Madrid – Atletico Madrid to Win to Nil (13/10 at Betfred)
- Napoli v Red Bull Leipzig – Both Teams to Score (3/5 at Ladbrokes)
Champions League
Before a ball has been kicked in these Round of 16 Champions League ties, Pep Guardiola’s Man City are the bookies’ favourites to lift the crown in Kiev’s NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on 26th May. However, the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – plus one or two others – will have something to say about that.
With five English clubs still fighting strong in the competition, will we see a Premier League club win the Champions League for the first time since Chelsea’s success in 2012? This could be one of the most fascinating Champions Leagues for some time, with at least eight sides in with a very real chance of going all the way by our reckoning.
Basel v Manchester City – 13th February
Man City face their first leg away from fortress Etihad Stadium, but Pep’s troops are the strong favourites to return to Manchester from Basel with a decent first leg lead on Tuesday.
The Citizens have had a remarkable season so far, and with the Premier League all but sewn up, City’s number one priority will now be on securing their first Champions League crown. Basel could be tricky opponents, but City’s qualities should shine through in the end.
We fancy the Premier League leaders to leave Switzerland with a clean sheet and a win, so have a punt on BetVictor’s 7/5 for the visitors to win to nil at St. Jakob-Park.
Manchester City to Win to Nil – 7/5 at BetVictor
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur – 13th February
Tottenham saw off the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to claim top spot in Group H. That was a fine performance, despite Real’s ongoing woes but as a “reward”, Spurs face the mighty Juventus in the last 16.
Tottenham have had a tournament to remember this season, winning five and drawing one of their six group games. As for Juve, they finished runners-up to Barcelona in Group D.
This promises to be a fascinating fixture between these two, but we believe that Massimiliano Allegri’s side will be too strong for Spurs on their own patch. Betfred’s 11/2 for a 1-0 home win has caught our eye. Juve’s defence has been astounding of late and they are yet to concede this year – we don’t see that changing here.
Juventus to Win 1-0 – 11/2 at Betfred
Porto v Liverpool – 14th February
Despite a slow start, Liverpool stormed their way to top spot in Group E, sealing two 7-0 wins along the way. The Reds have been drawn against Portuguese outfit Porto, who finished second in Group G and they will fancy their chances of progressing.
Liverpool could be dark horses in this year’s Champions League. On their day, Jurgen Klopp’s side are capable of beating any side in European football. Porto won’t be an easy team to see off, but the Merseyside outfit will be looking for a positive result in Portugal.
This could be close, but Liverpool should edge it. We like the look of Bet365’s 10/3 for the away win and both teams to score in the Estadio do Dragao. Liverpool’s defence is never too reliable but they usually manage to outscore opponents and will be looking for away goals.
Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score – 10/3 at Bet365
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain – 14th February
The most eye-catching tie of the round comes from Madrid on Wednesday as giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain lock horns. This match is fitting of a final and could give us a glimpse of Europe’s dominant forces, both past and future.
Zinedine Zidane’s Real have been nowhere near their best this term, as they have struggled in the Champions League at times and are well off the pace in La Liga, down in fourth. Unai Emery’s PSG, meanwhile, have had a brilliant season in all competitions up until now.
These two are hard to split, given Real have home advantage, so put some money on the 1-1 draw, which you can get at 15/2 with BetVictor.
1-1 Draw – 15/2 at BetVictor
Europa League
Arsenal eased through their group to seal a place in the knockout rounds. However, with the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund entering from the Champions League, the Europa League is going to be a tough one to win this year. Celtic are the other British representatives, and they face a tricky two-legged tie against experienced Russian side Zenit in the Round of 32.
Ostersunds v Arsenal – 15th February
Arsenal rekindle their quest for Europa League glory when they travel to Sweden to play Ostersunds on Thursday. The little-known Swedish outfit, managed by Englishman Graham Potter, will be looking for an almighty upset here.
Arsene Wenger won’t know an awful lot about Ostersunds, who were formed the same year that he took over at Arsenal. However, at this stage of the competition, all games will be taken seriously and Wenger may feel winning the Europa League is Arsenal’s best chance of Champions League football next term.
Arsenal seem to be fighting a losing battle to make the top four in the Premier League and so we fancy they will give their all here. The Gunners will be looking to prevail in this first leg, and we fancy them to win -1 (17/10 with Betfair).
Arsenal to Win -1 – 17/10 at Betfair
Celtic v Zenit Saint Petersburg – 15th February
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic entertain Roberto Mancini’s Zenit Saint Petersburg at Celtic Park for their first leg of the last 32 this Thursday night.
The Hoops just about pipped Anderlecht to the post for the Europa League spot in CL Group B. As for Zenit, the Russian giants won EL Group L ahead of the likes of Real Sociedad, Rosenborg and Vardar.
This looks a difficult tie for Celtic on paper, and we can see Mancini’s Zenit leaving Glasgow with a handy draw. The stalemate is available at 23/10 at Coral.
Draw – 23/10 at Coral
Copenhagen v Atletico Madrid – 15th February
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid had a Champions League campaign to forget this term. However, they will be looking to put things right in the Europa League, starting by seeing off Copenhagen in the Round of 32.
Atleti won only one of their six CL Group C matches to finish third behind Roma and Chelsea. However, they are going OK in La Liga and have to be considered contenders for this year’s Europa League. Copenhagen, meanwhile, finished runners-up to Lokomotiv Moscow in Europa League Group F.
Simeone’s troops can be a real force in this competition, and they should have no problems in Denmark on Thursday. Betfred are offering 13/10 for the visitors to win to nil and given their solid defence that looks big.
Atletico Madrid to Win to Nil – 13/10 at Betfred
Napoli v Red Bull Leipzig – 15th February
One of the standout ties from this round of Europa League fixtures is the Napoli v Red Bull Leipzig battle. Either of these two are capable of going far in this year’s competition, although the Italians remain very focussed on Serie A.
The pair made it into the Europa League by finishing third in their respective Champions League groups. Both are doing well domestically, though, as Napoli sit top of Serie A, while Leipzig are third in the Bundesliga.
This could go either way in Naples, so we’re backing both teams to score at the decent odds of 3/5 with Ladbrokes. Both are attacking sides and so that looks a very solid option even at short odds.
Both Teams to Score – 3/5 at Ladbrokes