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The second batch of UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg ties will take place in midweek and once again we have some huge ties to savour. On Tuesday night, in-form Chelsea take on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, and Lazio and Bayern Munich square off in Rome. Manchester City are in action on Wednesday, with Pep Guardiola’s men facing Borussia Monchengladbach in Budapest, while Atalanta and Real Madrid lock horns in Bergamo.
City and Bayern are vying for outright favouritism in the UCL right now whilst neither Madrid side can be written off given their recent records and so there is every chance we will be seeing the eventual winner in action this midweek. Which four sides will edge closer to glory?
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
20:00, BT Sport, Arena Nationala
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea meet in a blockbuster Champions League game at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest on Tuesday night. Atleti, who are riding high in La Liga, are the slight favourites to get the win in Romania. After losing two finals in recent years is this finally to be Atleti’s season to claim the biggest trophy of them all?
Atletico Madrid are having a stunning season in Spain, leading the way with over half of the season played. At the time of writing, Los Colchoneros have lost just two league and cup matches all season and are six points clear of their city rivals with a game in hand as well. They are a whopping nine clear of Barca and a first domestic crown since 2014 is surely theirs for the taking. Chelsea have made a good start under Tuchel, but this is a huge step up in class and know-how and we fancy the Spanish side to get the victory in Bucharest. The Atleti win is well priced at 8/5.
Lazio v Bayern Munich
20:00, BT Sport, Stadio Olimpico
Champions League holders Bayern Munich take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Tuesday. Hans-Dieter Flick’s men are in excellent form and have been a tough nut to crack this term. Will the Bavarians return to Munich with a win?
Lazio are very strong at the Stadio Olimpico, but Bayern are a superb away side, and we fancy FC Hollywood to secure a narrow win in Rome. Back the Champions League holders to win by one goal at 11/4.
Atalanta v Real Madrid
20:00, BT Sport, Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia
On Wednesday night, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta entertain Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. La Dea are having another fine season in Serie A and score goals at will, but can they shock Real over two legs and book their spot in the last eight of the Champions League once again?
Only league leaders Inter have notched more times than Atalanta this term and Gasperini’s men have scored for fun. Currently sixth, the Black and Blues are just three points shy of third-placed Roma and are well and truly in the race for the Champions League places in Serie A. Zidane’s Madrid have blown hot and cold, but as with Atletico, their experience of this competition could prove crucial. As such we are backing them to leave Italy on Wednesday with a positive result. Check out the draw and both teams to score at 10/3.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City
20:00, BT Sport, Puskas Arena
Premier League leaders Man City will be looking for yet another win when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena in their Round of 16, 1st leg tie on Wednesday. To no surprise, City are the clear favourites in Hungary and thanks to their current run of form they are just 3/1 to win the Champions League this term.
Man City have been in staggering form over the past few months, firing themselves well clear at the top of the Premier League table. The Manchester giants are also still in the FA Cup and have a League Cup final to come, so the quadruple is definitely on. There is a lot of football to be played before that but we expect them to put one foot in the next round here. Back Man City to win -2 on Wednesday at solid looking odds of 12/5.