Champions League odds are now available as we are back with our favorite soccer expert advice and free betting predictions. Read on for this week’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg 1 betting advice, soccer analysis and free soccer betting picks.
FC Red Bull Salzburg vs. FC Bayern Munich
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 – 03:00 PM EST at Red Bull Arena
Form, Mentality, and Champions League Trends
- Salzburg have won their previous 4 Champions League home fixtures
- Salzburg score an average of 2.00 goals in their UCL home games
- Bayern Munich are undefeated in 15 of their previous 16 UCL meetings
- Bayern Munich have won 7 consecutive Champions League matches
Goals Should Be Expected in Austria
The German champions Bayern Munich are currently positioned as the bookmaker's favorite to go ahead and win the competition this term. However, suffering a 4-2 loss to Bochum during their weekend domestic outing won't be supplying Julian Nagelsmann with an abundance of confidence when traveling to Austria with a tricky RB Salzburg squad laying in wait.
Bayern is expected to breeze Salzburg in both legs of their final-16 clashes, with a transparent experience and squad depth advantage. But the hosting team can undoubtedly take solace in knowing their visitor's form has dropped in recent weeks, as Nagelsmann men have lost two of their last five games.
Salzburg is familiar with receiving heartache from Bayern Munich, as the Bavarian giants delivered Salzburg a 6-2 and 3-1 hammering during last season's UCL group stage. The competition stage is different, but the significant skill quality hasn't altered that much.
Final Thoughts | Champions League Betting Odds
It's challenging to envision Bayern Munich failing to reach the quarterfinals, a situation that's only happened once in the previous ten seasons. Unfortunately, the available Champions League odds are one step ahead and aren't deterred by Munich's recent drop in form – providing steep odds on the visitors.
In saying that, we should recognize it'll be a game of heart versus skill, and the passion of the Austrian outfit can certainly find the back of Bayern's net. Therefore, both teams to score and an away victory is a comfortable UCL betting position I don't mind wagering on.
RB Salzburg vs. Bayern Munich Score Prediction: RB Salzburg 1 – Bayern Munich 3
Soccer Pick: Munich Win and BTTS (+110) [2.10] [1u wager returns 1.10u of profit] at Everygame
Sporting CP vs. Manchester City FC
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 – 03:00 PM EST at Estádio José Alvalade
Form, Mentality, and Champions League Trends
- Sporting's last 4 Champions League fixtures produced over 2.5 goals
- Sporting have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 UCL meetings
- Manchester City haven't lost in 16 of their last 19 UCL games
- Manchester City's last 4 Champions League games produced over 2.5 goals
- Manchester City average 3.00 goals in their Champions League fixtures
Manchester City Handed a Lifeline
For the first time since the 2008/2009 season, Portugal's current title holders are heading into the final-16 of the Champions League tournament. Finishing in second place of Group C behind Ajax saw the Portuguese faithful overcome the German title challengers Borussia Dortmund who trailed in the third-place position.
Rúben Amorim's squad will understand the importance of the first-leg meeting with Manchester City, considering the contest will be to their advantage on home soil. However, some will say that Pep Guardiola has drawn the "easiest" of fixtures by drawing Lisbon, who notably lost three games during the final-16 qualification stage and are relatively the less dominant squad in comparison.
Since we last saw Manchester City in Champions League action, they've notably dominated their domestic outings - winning eleven of their twelve games played since. The potential to put a severe dampener on Sporting fans this week owns a higher probability than elsewhere on the schedule when facing a team who've suffered 4-2 and 5-1 dismantling's to Ajax during the group stages.
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Final Thoughts | Champions League Betting Odds
For obvious reasons, City is heavily favored at the top-rated sportsbooks. With that said, I wouldn't want to be in a position where Lisbon pulls that upset and multiple units are at stake. After all, this is the Champions League, where anything can happen.
Considering the unplayable bookmaker's money line odds, we must look elsewhere to find value. City's inability to keep a clean sheet during the competition combined with Lisbon's home pitch advantage, anticipating both teams to score, is a viable betting position to be in.
I expect Guardiola's men will exit Portugal with a victory to celebrate. Still, their glaring one clean sheet from the previous eleven UCL meetings gives me confidence that the home side can claim a consolation goal.
Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City Score Prediction: Sporting 1 – Man City 3
Soccer Pick: Both Teams to Score (+100) [2.00] [1u wager returns 1u of profit] at Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
