Champions League Round of 16 Betting Tips: Who will take their first steps towards the quarter-finals

The Champions League returns this week and we have lined up a tip for each of this week’s Round of 16 first leg clashes. 

FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City

Kick-off: 20:00 Tuesday, TNT Sports 1

Manchester City are heavy favourites to win in Denmark, and rightly so but it is not to say Copenhagen are not capable of bloodying the nose of the Champions League holders. 

On the road, Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded plenty of goals this term.

In 19 away games, City have only kept four clean sheets with the likes of Red Star and Young Boys finding the net against them. In Europe, City have only kept one clean sheet and that came at the Etihad. 

At Parken, Copenhagen have netted 13 goals in the six UCL games this season, four of which coming against City’s rivals Manchester United. Copenhagen also scored against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray. 

Prediction: BTTS @ 2.32

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid 

Kick-off: 20:00 Tuesday, TNT Sports 2

Real Madrid have a bit of an injury crisis. Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba all miss this trip to Germany which goes a little way to explaining the Spanish side's price. 

RB Leipzig have struggled since the winter break and are yet to keep a clean sheet on the continent this campaign. 

Brahim Díaz’s price to score anytime appeals. The Spaniard has netted seven times this term, impressive considering he has only started 11 games. It means the former Man City man is posting a goals per 90 average of 0.48. 

Prediction: Brahim Díaz Anytime Goalscorer @ 3.75

Lazio vs Bayern Munich 

Kick-off: 20:00 Wednesday, TNT Sports 1

Bayern Munich were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend. It is bad news for Harry Kane’s trophy ambitions as it leaves the German giants five points off the pace in the Bundesliga. 

It is hardly ideal preparation for their trip to Italy. However, Lazio have been faltering as well. 

After a faultless festive period, winning five games on the spin, Maurizio Sarri’s side went three without a win conceding six times and only scoring once against Inter, Napoli and Atalanta. 

The 3-1 win over Cagliari at the weekend was just the tonic but given the hosts' meagre form against the division's best sides, I think siding with a lack of goals on Wednesday is the way to go. 

Backing under 2.5 goals clicked in each of the Eagles UCL games at Stadio Olimpico.  

Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.20

PSG vs Real Sociedad

Kick-off: 20:00 Wednesday, TNT Sports 2

PSG’s price to beat Real Sociedad immediately stands out at 1.70. The French side are around 1.65 with most firms. 

Under Luis Enrique, PSG have only lost three times all campaign. It is worth noting two of those came in this competition but those defeats were away from home. 

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, head to the French capital without a win in four and may be without star man Mikel Oyarzabal who has missed the last two games with a muscle injury. 

Oyarzabal has had a hand in over a quarter of his side's 46 goals this season, without him Erreala will be toothless. 

Prediction: PSG to beat Real Sociedad @ 1.70

Recommended Bets

Back BTTS in Copenhagen vs Man City @ 2.32
Back Brahim Díaz Anytime Goalscorer @ 3.75
Back Under 2.5 Goals in Lazio vs Bayern @ 2.20
Back PSG to beat Real Sociedad @ 1.70