Meanwhile, Roma host Porto while Tottenham welcome Borussia Dortmund to London
The greatest club competition in the world is back this week, with the UEFA Champions League round of 16 set to kick off the first leg ties. On Tuesday night (12 February), Manchester United welcome Ligue 1 champions PSG to Old Trafford, while Porto head to the Italian capital to take on ASS Roma. The following night, Bundesliga table toppers Borussia Dortmund are in London where they will meet Tottenham Hotspur.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Champions League knock out stage about to start, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, the clash between Manchester United and PSG at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer took over as manager, with the club winning 10 of those games and climbing up to fourth in the Premier League table.
PSG, meanwhile, look well on course to defend their domestic crown. They sit 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 having lost just once so far this season, and in the Champions League topped a group which included both Liverpool and Napoli – PSG are at just 8.50 to lift the continental title in May.
And while the betting is close for this first leg tie, it is United who come in as the favourites to record an advantage prior to the return encounter. You can more than double your money by backing the Red Devils to win at 2.37, while PSG are out at 3.10 to do the same – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.50, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting home advantage to be a key factor here. A comfortable, 2-0 win for United is priced competitively at 12.00, thereby offering more than a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.10.
Roma host Porto looking for win
The same evening, AS Roma welcome FC Porto to the Italian capital looking to secure that important advantage. Roma come into this match in good form, having gone their last six league outings unbeaten – they are just five points behind Inter Milan in third place.
Porto, meanwhile, are in excellent form on the domestic front. They sit top of the table in the Primeira Liga and have not lost a league encounter since October, but this will be a different calibre of test than their domestic encounters.
And it in indeed Roma who come in as the favourites to win this first leg tie. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to pick up an advantage at 2.10, while Porto are out at 3.75 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.50.
And we think that Roma should have enough to collect that win. A narrow, 2-1 victory for the home side comes in at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out, while you could quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a Roma win, coupled with both teams to score, at 4.00.
Tottenham face tough test as Dortmund come to town
And finally, Tottenham will face a real test of their continental credentials when Borussia Dortmund arrive in London. Spurs have won their last four league games in a row and sit third in the Premier League table.
Borussia, by way of comparison, sit five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table. They come into this match on the back of a wobble, however – after opening up a 3-0 lead against Hoffenheim this past weekend, they conceded three goals in the last 15 minutes to drop two valuable points.
Regarding this tie, it is Tottenham who come in as the favourites to pick up an advantage prior to the second leg in Germany. You can more than double your money by backing Spurs to win at 2.30, while Dortmund are out at 3.20 to do the same – again, a draw comes in highest of all at 3.60.
Tottenham should just about edge this first leg clash. A narrow, 1-0 win for Spurs also comes in at 8.50, while you can more than double your money by backing “No” to both teams scoring at 2.10.
UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg ties:
Tuesday, 12 February
(2.37) Manchester United x PSG (3.10); draw (3.50)
(2.10) AS Roma x FC Porto (3.75); draw (3.50)
Wednesday, 13 February
(3.75) Ajax x Real Madrid (1.90); draw (4.33)
(2.30) Tottenham Hotspur x Borussia Dortmund (3.20); draw (3.60)
