CL Best Bets – Wednesday
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 - Second Legs
Wednesday, Mar. 13
Games scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET
Bayern Munich vs. Liverpool
Liverpool and Bayern Munich played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first leg, leaving this the most tightly poised tie in this week’s round of Champions League action. [...]s cannot split them. Both sides are 10/11 to qualify.
At these prices, Liverpool make much more appeal.
Although Liverpool’s front three has not been anywhere near as lethal in big games this year - Mo Salah is the most extreme example of this - they still have enough in them to score at least once in the Allianz Arena. Should they score, Bayern would need two. Should Liverpool score twice, Bayern would need three, and so on.
Liverpool bossed the expected goals count in the first leg and would have won were it not for extremely profligate finishing.Liverpool may have drawn three of their last five games 0-0. But they won the other two 3-1 and 5-0, and do not forget how few goals they concede. At the moment Vincent van Dijk is one of the best three defenders in the world, and if Liverpool score, which they most probably will, it is hard to see Bayern qualifying.
Tip: Liverpool to qualify at 10/11
Prediction: Bayern Munich 1-1 Liverpool
Barcelona vs. Lyon
Lyon deservedly held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in France in the first leg, meaning the hosts have some work to do in the second match of the tie. The Catalan side have needed to win at home in the past - Inter in 2010 and Chelsea in 2012 - and fallen to foul of deep, ultra-organised defences to go out.
And Lyon have been hugely impressive in Europe this season. They beat and drew with Manchester City and had their chances to score in the first leg.
But Barcelona’s attack should be just a bit too strong. The first leg was Lyon’s first clean sheet in the competition. They have failed to score just once in their last 29 home Champions League games. They average over four goals at home per game in La Liga and dominated possession away to Lyon.
Lyon may only need one goal, but the possession Barcelona have means they may not even get that. Do not expect Barcelona to walk this; but do not expect them to mess it up either.
Tip: Barcelona to win to nil at 11/10
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Lyon
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