ARSENAL vs BAYERN MUNICH
Arsene Wenger is under serious pressure. The Gunners were thrashed 5-1 in the first leg and the Frenchman must now decide whether to rest key players ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Lincoln City. For some reason, I think Wenger will play a full strength side; mainly in an attempt to restore some pride perhaps.
When these two sides clash, goals are usually on the cards. With Bayern comfortably ahead on aggregate, I can see Carlo Ancelotti’s men keeping this one relatively tight. The Bavarians don’t need to go all out for the win and a low-scoring, timid affair will suit the visitors with Saturday’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon.
In my opinion, 13/20 for under 3.5 goals to be scored is an absolute steal. Arsenal know that, barring a minor miracle, they are out and the Gunners will be looking to keep the fans onside with a victory on home soil; but don’t expect any fireworks...
TIP: Under 3.5 goals @ 13/20
Napoli vs REAL MADRID
Napoli gave the Spanish giants a real scare in the opening leg but Zinedine Zidane’s men ran out comfortable winners in the end. Unfortunately for the Italians, I can only see this one going one way on Tuesday night and that is in favour of the visitors. 7/5 for Real to win on the night is fantastic value in my eyes.
With the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema firing on all cylinders, Real are blessed with a plethora of attacking talent. In fact, Madrid notched 16 goals in their six group games; five more than Napoli managed. The Italian side are strong but there is a Gonzalo Higuain-shaped hole upfront.
This could get interesting if Napoli bag the first goal but I’m backing Madrid to step up with a professional performance here. Los Blancos are one of Europe’s finest outfits and it is hard to see Zidane’s men letting their two-goal advantage slip...
TIP: Real Madrid to win @ 7/5
Borussia Dortmund vs BENFICA
Dortmund have been much improved in recent weeks but Benfica are no slouches and the Portuguese men will be quietly confident of defending their slender advantage. The visitors snatched a one-nil victory in the first leg and it would be fair to state that this one is finely balanced ahead of the return fixture in Germany.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggled for form after returning from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations but the Dortmund striker has found his feet in recent weeks. In fact, he netted consecutive braces in Bundesliga clashes with Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen and it would be foolish to back against the home side with their main man in blistering form.
However, they are susceptible in defence and the 3/4 available on Benfica to score at least once is generous. The Portuguese giants have bagged 52 league goals so far this season and Rui Vitoria’s men have also scored in all seven of their Champions League encounters...
TIP: Benfica to score @ 3/4
BARCELONA vs PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Paris Saint-Germain shocked the footballing world by thrashing Barcelona by four goals to nil in the opening leg and Unai Emery’s men will be confident of booking their place in the quarter-finals. Barcelona were not at the races that day but even they will have a tough job turning round a four-goal deficit.
Should PSG score, Barcelona will need six – a tally that is probably beyond Luis Enrique’s men. With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in attack, Barcelona are capable of scoring a hatful of goals but they will almost certainly give up chances if they go all out. Goals are almost certainly on the cards at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
At 3/5, both teams to score doesn’t offer much value but it looks very likely. I’m expecting the French side to keep things tight early on and Barcelona will have to push at some stage of the contest. The Spanish side may win but PSG may bag a goal or two...
TIP: Both teams to score @ 3/5
At the time of writing, a £10 stake on this accumulator returns £110.88 – click here for more odds on European football...
