The final battles to reach the Champions League knockout stage begin this week.
After a thrilling League Phase, 16 teams now lock horns in two-legged play-off ties for coveted spots in the Round of 16.
Can Newcastle join their five Premier League compatriots? That is one of many questions of which will start being answered this week.
To celebrate the return of club football’s biggest competition, here are four of our match picks for Tuesday and Wednesday’s action, all based on the latest Champions League odds.
And if you are placing a combo bet on this week’s European drama, remember that NetBet’s Acca Boost feature can increase your potential winnings by up to 50%.
*All odds are subject to change
Galatasaray to beat Juventus @ 3.53
Galatasaray’s strength on home soil is known across the footballing world, and this is a great opportunity for a statement win. The Turkish Super Lig leaders thrashed Eyupspor 5-1 in Istanbul on the weekend, and have won the last three at home by an aggregate score of 12-2. Juve lost 3-2 at Inter last Saturday in another dramatic Serie A clash, while the away match before the trip to Milan saw Luciano Spalletti’s men lose 3-0 at Atalanta in the Coppa Italia. So it is a slight surprise to see the Bianconeri listed as the clear favourites here, but we are accepting the value to be had with the bet on a victory for Gala.
AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain: Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.58
This all-Ligue 1 clash could be the tie of the round, especially with Champions League holders PSG showing signs of frailty of late. Luis Enrique’s side recently thrashed Marseille 5-0, but were then beaten 3-1 at Rennes on the weekend. The Parisians have kept just two clean sheets in the last six, while Monaco’s last two home games saw them score seven goals vs Rennes (4-0) and Nantes (3-1). A cracking first leg awaits us here, and we are backing both goalkeepers to be beaten at least once.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: Anytime goalscorer – Serhou Guirassy @ 2.09
Importantly for Dortmund, star striker Guirassy enters this match in sublime form. The Guinean forward scored a brace in the 4-0 win over Mainz, taking him to five Bundesliga goals in the last three matches. This is also a competition in which he has previously thrived, with 18 goals in 26 games overall. Atalanta are a top side, and have kept four clean sheets in the last six following the 2-0 win at Lazio, but Guirassy’s brilliance and the noise generated by the Yellow Wall is another matter entirely. Furthermore, Atalanta failed to keep a clean sheet in each of the last three Champions League encounters, losing 1-0 at Union Saint-Gilloise on Matchday 8.
Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan: Player to score or assist – Piotr Zielinski @ 2.75
Zielinski was the talk of the town in Milan over the weekend following his dramatic late winner against Juve. The Polish midfielder unleashed a fierce shot in stoppage time to secure a vital victory for Cristian Chivu’s side. It now means he has scored three goals in his last four Serie A appearances, a welcome run of form ahead of a tricky trip to the Arctic Circle. Bodo’s 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Matchday 8 was yet more evidence of their quality, so Inter may have to look to their world-class midfield engine room to steer them to a crucial away success. And therein lies another opportunity for Zielinski to deliver in the final third.
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