Meanwhile, Lyon need a result on home soil against Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid host Juventus
The round of 16 first leg ties in the UEFA Champions League continues this week, with some mouth-watering contests on the cards. This coming Tuesday night (19 February), Liverpool welcome Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich to Anfield, while on the same night La Liga title holders Barcelona travel to France to take on Lyon. The following evening, Atletico Madrid will host Italian champions Juventus in what should be a closely fought contest.
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 now in the knock-out stages, 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 Liverpool and Bayern Munich at Anfield. The Reds come into this match on the back of a run of five games without a defeat, and after finishing runners-up in this tournament last season will be keen to go one better this time around – Liverpool are priced at just 5.00 to reach the final once again.
Bayern, by way of comparison, come into this tie o0n the back of three wins in a row. They are second in the Bundesliga, two points behind Borussia Dortmund, but are looking for their first continental crown in over half a decade – however, they are out at 15.00 to win the Champions League in May.
And regarding this tie, it is Liverpool who come in as the favourites to take an advantage into the return encounter. You can more than double your money by backing Liverpool to win at 2.05, while Bayern are out at 3.60 to do the same – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.80, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting the Anfield factor to play a major part in this match. A narrow, 2-1 win for Liverpool is priced at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Liverpool win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.40.
Lyon need win over Barcelona
On the same evening French side Lyon host Spanish champions Barcelona needing some sort of result to take to Camp Nou for the second leg. Lyon sit third in Ligue 1 but have hardly been in consistent form over the last few weeks.
Barça, in stark contrast, sit top of La Liga and are unbeaten in their last five games across all competitions. The Catalan giants are at just 6.00 to go all the way and win the Champions League this season as well.
Back to this game and it is of little surprise to see that it is Barcelona who come in as the favourites to win on the road. You can back the visitors to triumph at just 1.80 while Lyon, despite home advantage, are out at 4.50 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.00.
And we think this first leg tie should be a comfortable one for the away side. A 3-1 win for Barcelona is priced competitively at 12.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Barça win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.00.
Atletico welcome Juventus in key fixture
And finally, Atletico Madrid host Juventus in the Spanish capital on Wednesday night in what is the toughest first leg game to call. Atletico got back to winning ways in La Liga this past weekend and will desperate to reach the final of the Champions League this season as it is to be played at their Wanda Metropolitano home – they are priced at 9.00 to do so.
Juventus are similar to Bayern in the sense that they have dominated their domestic championship in recent years and now need continental glory to underline their success. The Old Lady are at 8.00 to win the Champions League this season.
And while the betting is very close, it is Atletico who come in as the slight favourites to win this first leg tie. You can more than double your money by backing Atletico at 2.80, with Juventus just above at 2.87 – a draw comes in highest of all at 3.10.
And Atletico should just edge this in front of their own fans. A 1-0 win for the Spanish side comes in at 7.00, while you can quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of an Atletico win, coupled with a “no” to both teams scoring, at 4.00.
UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg ties:
Tuesday, 19 February
(2.05) Liverpool x Bayern Munich (3.60); draw (3.80)
(4.50) Lyon x Barcelona (1.80); draw (4.00)
Wednesday, 20 February
(2.80) Atletico Madrid x Juventus (2.87); draw (3.10)
(11.00) Schalke x Manchester City (1.28); draw (6.50)b
