CL Bets – Round of 16
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 - First Legs
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Games scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET
Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain
When Jose Mourinho’s ailing, dysfunctional Manchester United side were handed a last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain, the question many were asking was: “just how many could they lose by?” But since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, United have shortened from 3/1 to 29/20 to win the tie. They have come crashing in from 5/2 to 13/10 to win the first leg at Old Trafford.
Part of this is down to two major injuries for PSG. Edinson Cavani and Neymar will both miss the match, with Neymar certain to miss the second leg as well. Solskjaer has made United efficient and attractive against bottom half Premier League sides, but even with their injuries PSG are a huge cut above that. PSG will be more pragmatic than they were in the group stages, and will rely on the explosive pace and calmness in front of goal of Kylian Mbappé.
Both teams will be desperate not to lose. PSG have shown themselves to be vulnerable at home, and United are best on the counter-attack, a style which lends itself to playing away from home. A low-scorer looks the best bet.Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 11/10
AS Roma vs. FC Porto
It has been a largely disappointing season for Roma, but they will have been delighted to get by far the weakest of all the eight group winners in the last 16.
However they come into this match in good form. In the league, they have won 14 points from their last 18 matches, although that run was interrupted by a staggering 7-1 cup defeat to Fiorentina, a performance so bad that some fans walked out in the first half of the recent 1-1 draw with Milan in protest. But Roma were impressive in that match, and this is a squad with good Champions League experience now, having made the semi-finals last year.
Porto trail Benfica in the Portuguese League and were gifted by far the softest group in the Champions League, only needing to better Schalke 04, Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow to win the section. The squad is suffering from a couple of key injuries, and it looks like being yet another last 16 exit for Porto.
Roma look excellent value at odds against.
Prediction: AS Roma 2-0 FC Porto
Best Bet: AS Roma at 11/10
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