We’ve got more Champions League football on Wednesday night, with two of the leading contenders in the betting in action. Juventus have been simply sublime in Serie A this season but can the Old Lady get past Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano?

Meanwhile, Manchester City will travel to Schalke ahead of what Pep Guardiola will see as a winnable fixture. The Premier League champions are fighting on multiple fronts but City have the strength in depth to juggle the squad and still win in Germany.

Right, it’s time to get down to business. 888sport’s Champions League odds have this double at 7/2 ahead of Wednesday evening – securing a first leg lead could be decisive for all four clubs.

Atletico Madrid vs JUVENTUS

So often the bridesmaid on Europe’s biggest stage, Atletico have reached the Champions League final in two of the previous five campaigns. With the showpiece fixture taking place at the Wanda Metropolitano this season, Diego Simeone’s men will be determined to go all the way once again.

France star Antoine Griezmann is in fantastic form, scoring 11 goals in his last 12 games in all competitions. The Atletico frontman will take some stopping on Wednesday night and is an intriguing bet at 43/20 to get his name on the scoresheet.

However, Juventus are on another level and you won’t find too many fans backing against the visitors at this moment in time. Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival has helped take Juventus from challengers to one of the favourites for European glory. Write Allegri’s men off at your peril.

The visitors are masters of slowing a game down and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a relatively low-scoring affair. The 6/4 for under 1.5 goals in football betting odds is worth a second glance – especially after both games finished goalless on Tuesday evening.

Take the 37/20 for Juventus to emerge victorious in Madrid. The visitors will have a plan to combat Atletico’s threat and this could be decided by the odd goal either way.

TIP: Juventus to win @ 37/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Atletico 0-1 Juventus (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)

Schalke 04 vs MANCHESTER CITY

With just one win in their last five matches, Schalke have been rocked in recent weeks. The draw was unkind to the Bundesliga side, pairing them up with 888sport’s Champions League favourites Manchester City. The hosts will need to execute their game plan to perfection.

Schalke navigated one of the easier group stages to reach the last-16 and their European journey looks likely to come to an end. However, they can cause City problems and 22/25 for over 0.5 home goals on Wednesday looks like a decent price.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be confident of getting the job done in Germany. City have scored 46 goals in 12 games in 2019 and it would be foolish to back against the Premier League champions on current form. This one could get ugly if Schalke aren’t careful…

Manchester City have struggled away from the Etihad Stadium in recent months, losing three of their previous nine games. However, this one should be fairly straightforward and EVS for over 2.5 away goals is an excellent price.

I fancy City to send out a statement here. Pep’s side are challenging on four fronts but the Blues can secure a comfortable win on Wednesday night. Take the 3/5 for City to lead at half-time; a convincing performance awaits.

TIP: Manchester City to win the first half @ 3/5

PREDICTED SCORE: Schalke 0-2 Man City (Priced at 11/2 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

By Tony Evans

Virgil van Dijk is crucial to Liverpool. No other player in the Premier League is as influential within his own team as the Dutchman is for the Reds.

The centre back’s absence through suspension for the Champions League knockout round first-leg clash against Bayern Munich is the most serious blow Jurgen Klopp’s side could have suffered.

The 27-year-old has been worth every penny of the £75 million that Liverpool paid to Southampton in January last year. Not only is Van Dijk a physically-dominant defender who is comfortable on the ball but he is also an organiser and mentor on the pitch.

He inspires confidence. So far, Klopp’s side have conceded just 15 goals in the Premier League with Van Dijk as an ever-present.

Liverpool have not been quite so secure in the Champions League, leaking seven goals in six group games. Bayern fancy their chances and the centre half’s unavailability comes at a bad time.

Klopp’s options are limited. His first-choice back four is a fine unit. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at left and right back respectively have improved consistently over the past year.

Joe Gomez looked like the perfect foil for Van Dijk in the central areas. Alexander-Arnold will be back against the German side but Gomez is still some way off returning.

The problem at centre half has been exacerbated by Dejan Lovren’s prolonged layoff. The Croat has a reasonable chance of playing against Bayern but Lovren is very much a third-choice stopper. Joel Matip is even further down the pecking order.

The other option for the Liverpool manager is to use Fabinho in defence. The midfielder is versatile but has struggled with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

It has taken the Brazilian a while to settle and on occasion – such as the 1-1 draw with West Ham United earlier this month – play passed him by. Klopp has worked on his mobility in training and expects the 25-year-old to have an increasing influence on the team.

When asked to fill in at centre back, Fabinho has acquitted himself well – especially in the 1-0 win over Brighton – but operating alongside Van Dijk is a different prospect to partnering Matip.

The problems at the back have a knock-on effect in midfield. Fabinho and Naby Keita arrived on Merseyside last summer with the expectation that they would become the club’s midfield engine.

Keita has also found adapting to life at Anfield more difficult than anticipated. His team-mates and the backroom staff rave about his ability in training but he has not translated this into dominant matchday performances.

Bayern, a team Keita is familiar with, should give him the perfect opportunity to show the Kop what he can do.

Given the issues in the back four, however, Klopp might look for a more conservative approach from his midfielders on Tuesday night, with Jordan Henderson’s engine, James Milner’s know-how and Georginio Wijnaldum positional acumen providing a potentially more effective screen for the back four.

Yet Liverpool’s success and form in the past 14 months has been built on the foundations of Van Dijk. Without him, there would probably not have been the uplifting run to the Champions League final in Kiev last season or this campaign’s title challenge.

If they can cope without the Dutchman on Tuesday night it will represent a huge step forward for Klopp and his team.

Europe’s elite are in action again this week. Lyon host La Liga leaders Barcelona, while five-time European champions Liverpool welcome a Bayern Munich side having a difficult campaign.

We witnessed some fantastic football in last week’s Champions League last-16 ties. With some of the world’s best on display, we can expect much of the same this Tuesday.

Lyon vs FC BARCELONA

With the title race all but over in Ligue 1, Lyon are pursuing Champions League qualification. Lille are setting the best of the rest pace, but there have been positive signs for Lyon, particularly from their attack.

Chance creation has been good all season. Memphis Depay is leading the way, creating more chances – per understat’s expected assists – than anyone in the league.

The former Manchester United man has contributed five goals to complement his creativity. 888sport’s sports betting odds have him at 23/10 to score anytime on Tuesday.

Depay shares a four-man attack with Nabil Fekir, Moussa Dembele and Bertrand Traore. Dembele and Fekir are the team’s leading scorers but finishing chances has been an issue this season.

The quartet will fancy their chances against this Barcelona back line, though. Lyon are 2/1 to score over 1.5 goals on Tuesday night.

Barcelona have their issues, but they also have Lionel Messi. The Argentinian is doing otherworldly stuff again this season. Partnered by Luis Suarez – who is having another good season – Messi is tearing teams apart.

He leads Europe’s top five leagues in goals and assists. Lyon’s inconsistent defence is not going to be able to keep him quiet all night. The 8/11 on Messi to score anytime is decent value – 9/2 on Messi to score and assist is even better.

Ernesto Valverde will be wary of Barcelona’s defence undermining Messi’s majesty. Barcelona rank mid-table in La Liga on expected goals against.

The midfield battle will be key against Houssem Aouar, Fekir and Tanguy NDombele. Valderde should consider changing shape. Sergio Busquets risks being isolated in transition, giving opportunity for Depay and Traore to stretch the defence.

Lyon recently beat Paris Saint Germain at home. Their attack will do damage, but this will be an open game, giving plenty of space for Messi to work his magic.

TIP: Lionel Messi to score and record an assist @ 9/2

PREDICTED SCORE: Lyon 2-2 Barcelona (Priced at 21/2 with 888sport)

LIVERPOOL vs Bayern Munich

Liverpool’s FA Cup absence allowed them to have a long break before this tie. Jurgen Klopp’s side have not been in action since 9^th February, when they cruised past Bournemouth 3-0 at Anfield. They are currently second on goal difference in the Premier League.

Klopp took his side to Spain for some warm weather training between fixtures. Disappointing draws to Leicester and West Ham prior to the Bournemouth victory have put Liverpool under pressure domestically.

The chance to play under the lights at Anfield against Bayern Munich will provide a welcome break from the grind of the title race.

Injuries and the peculiar decision to loan out Nathaniel Clyne have forced James Milner to play right-back of late. The veteran midfielder has struggled.

Fortunately for Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to return for this clash. The youngster faces a tough task whichever winger he has to deal with. The overlapping David Alaba causes additional problems.

Bayern are going through a changing of the guard. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are being succeeded by Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman. Leon Goretzka has become a permanent midfield fixture.

Niko Kovac has rotated his squad throughout the season. It remains to be seen which duo he will opt for to flank Robert Lewandowski and what combination he will go for in midfield.

Lewandowski was on fire in the Champions League group stages, netting eight in six matches. His domestic form has been concerning, scoring just 13 league goals to date.

That’s a poor tally by his standards and he’s massively underperforming his expected goals. Lewandowski is no stranger to a big Champions League night, though, making his 29/20 price to score anytime a tempter.

Liverpool’s midfield has been the concern in big matches. The trio of Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Naby Keita is looking formidable, though, and could take charge of the tie.

With Sadio Mane on form and Mohamed Salah scoring at a prolific rate, Klopp’s side will fancy their chances. Mane has scored in his last four matches and is a good bet at 8/5 to score anytime.

The hosts are EVENS to win on the night. That’s a solid value bet considering their form at Anfield this term.

TIP: Sadio Mane to score and Liverpool to win @ 11/4

PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 2-1 Bayern Munich (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*