The big European teams take to the field for the second and final leg in the Round of 16.
All the bets bets from the remaining fixtures begin with a crucial tie at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United vs. Atletico Madrid
March 16th 7:00am
Cristiano Ronaldo will try to haunt the souls of Atletico Madrid once again when Manchested United faces off against the Spanish giant at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s hattrick against Tottenham in the Premier League instigated a return to winning for the Red Devils and the confidence boost has come at a timely manner as they prepare to face a dogged Atletico line up.
One thing we know about Atletico is its willingness to defend like mad men.
Diego Simeone’s men are one of the hardest teams to break down in world football and its form in La Liga has been nothing short of sublime having posted four consecutive wins to sit level on points with Barcelona in third place.
A 1-1 aggregate score has this tie sitting on the edge of a cliff for either team.
United scored the all-important away goal in the first leg thanks to a late strike from star prospect Anthony Elanga.
This second leg is going to be an epic contest.
Atletico might still have the mental hurdle of Ronaldo netting an insane hattrick against them back in his Juventus days of 2019.
United to progress through in the 90 minutes and Ronaldo to be the winner.
Prediction: Manchester United 1 Atletico Madrid 0
Suggested Bets:
Manchester United head to head at $2.10
C. Ronaldo first goal at $4.15
ajax vs. benfica
march 16th 7:00am
After a 2-2 draw at Estadio da Luz, the second-leg Round of 16 tie between Ajax and Benfica is delicately poised as the teams head to Johan Cruijff Arena.
Ajax scored two pivotal away goals that could very well prove the difference in this tie and it comes into this clash as the $1.36 favourite at the head to head in 90 minutes.
The Dutch giants warmed up for this encounter with a 3-2 league success at Cambuur over the weekend, while the visitors had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Vizela.
The return of Noussair Mazraoui for 62 minutes over Cambuur was a huge boost and he is expected to line up in this clash for the full 90 alongside Edson Alvarez who will more than likely recover from illness in time for the game.
This has the makings of a very expansive, end to end, open contest with Benfica needing to find goals and Ajax having no trouble finding the back of the net with their efficient tactics in the final third under Erik ten Hag.
A high-scoring win to Ajax is the likely outcome here.
Prediction: Ajax 4 Benfica 1
Suggested Bet: Half-time total goals over 1.5 at $1.96
lille vs. chelsea
march 17th 7:00am
Chelsea prepares to make one step closer to defending its Champions League title in the second leg of their last-16 battle with French champions Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Despite a heap of off-field dramas, the Blues claimed a healthy 2-0 lead in the first leg at Stamford Bridge and bring in strong Premier League form.
Thomas Tuchel will once again aim to have his club do the talking on the pitch amid the unprecedented circumstances with Roman Abramovich.
Lille, meanwhile, will be hoping to cause an upset for enormous proportions.
Defensively, the French champions have been switched on domestically.
Lille has proven an extremely tough nut to crack in recent weeks and collected its fifth Ligue 1 clean sheet on the bounce against Saint-Etienne.
However, the issue lies up front as it could not find the back of the net against Saint-Etienne and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Lille will almost have no other option in this game than all-out attack as its seeks to pull off a remarkable comeback.
But that will likely leave them vulnerable to Tuchel’s clinical crop.
Chelsea to waltz into the final eight.
Prediction: Lille 1 Chelsea 2
Suggested Bet: Chelsea head to head at $1.85
juventus vs. villareal
march 17th 7:00am
After a 1-1 stalemate in Spain, Juventus returns home to Turin for its second leg against Villareal on Thursday morning.
A 3-1 Serie A win over Sampdoria is the immediate form Juventus brings into this contest, while Unai Emery’s side scraped past Celta Vigo 1-0 in La Liga.
Juventus might have found its offensive linchpin for the next decade with Dusan Vlahovic taking Champions League action like it was art class back in primary school.
The former Fiorentina forward netted within the opening minute against Villareal during the first leg, but injuries for Juventus took their toll.
Massimilliano Allegri has done a spirited job with the injury crisis Juventus has been hit with this season and the home-ground advantage has to count for something here.
Villareal just had to capitalize at home and it failed to do so.
Juventus to progress.
Prediction: Juventus 2 Villareal 1
Suggested Bet: Juventus head to head at $1.95
