The intensity of the Champions League resumes this week, as the important second legs in the round of 16 will take place. There will be something to play for in most game this week, but Man City and Real Madrid look two of the safest sides that look set to ensure their progression through to the next round. However, you can find our picks for all four of this week’s round of 16 ties here.
Bayern Munich vs Lazio
Bayern Munich face a huge challenge at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, as they bid to overturn a 1-0 defeat from their first meeting with Lazio. The defeat ended Bayern’s 100% record against the Italian side, but it could be a challenging second leg for the visitors, as they have never won an away match in Germany.
Bayern have suffered elimination in the Champions League on seven occasions after losing the opening leg, and there has been little to like about their recent performances across all competitions. Therefore, it could be worth siding with a tense draw being played out in Bavaria this week.
Pick: Draw at 5/1 with BetXchange.
Real Sociedad vs PSG
Real Sociedad will have a mountain to climb in their second leg of the round of 16 this week after losing 2-0 in Paris a few weeks’ ago. This will be Sociedad’s first knockout game in the competition since 2004 where they were beaten by Lyon. However, PSG have recorded just two wins from 12 away matches against Spanish opposition in the Champions League.
The French side have suffered six defeats in eight matches over that period, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12. PSG have historically been a poor side to support after winning a first leg, as they have progressed from just five of their nine ties. We expect them to edge through this week, but Sociedad could be good value to land victory on the night.
Pick: Real Sociedad at 16/10 with BetXchange.
Manchester City vs Copenhagen
Man City already have one foot in the next round of the Champions League after recording a comfortable 3-1 win in the first leg against Copenhagen. That was City’s ninth straight victory in the competition, and they could become just the tenth side in history to record ten successive wins. City are also unbeaten in five previous clashes with their Danish rivals.
Copenhagen are without an away win against an English side in their European history, losing on five occasions and playing out just two draws. They are also winless in three previous matches in the knockout stage. Therefore, a handsome win for City appears to be the standout selection.
Pick: Man City at 1/6 with BetXchange.
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig
The final match in this week’s fixtures in the round of 16 will be staged at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid holds the advantage in this tie after landing a 1-0 win in Germany. Real have recorded wins in two of their three fixtures against Leipzig, and they have failed to progress on just one occasion in 20 attempts after winning the first leg.
Leipzig’s record in this stage of the Champions League is poor after failing to win in their last six ties in the knockout stage. They have also failed to score in five of their six matches in this stage of the competition. Therefore, it appears worthwhile to side with Real landing an eighth straight win in the competition this term.
