The 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.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 – 03:00 PM EST at Stamford Bridge
Defending titleholders of the Champions League Chelsea welcome the Ligue 1 champions to Stamford Bridge for the 1st leg of their final-16 clash on Tuesday. Still, the reigning champions haven't looked as trustworthy as they did last term.
Lille managed to finish top of Group G to reach the last-16, while Chelsea was held to 2nd place in Group H and a 3-3 draw with Zenit St. Petersburg during the group stages final matchday.
As they enter this week's meeting on a five-game win streak, it would seem like Chelsea are primed to defend their European trophy. However, all is not what it seems. Thomas Tuchel's squad struggled against Crystal Palace in their most recent outing and were lucky to claim an 89th-minute winner.
According to the bookmaker's odds, the Blues aren't expected to reach this year's Champions League final. And, when you consider four consecutive final-16 UCL exits they suffered before winning the title last term, they're used to falling at the final hurdle.
Lille undoubtedly earned their position in the final-16, conquering Sevilla, Red Bull Salzburg, and Wolfsburg in back-to-back meetings to steal the 1st place position. Despite these successes, we must also recognize they were gifted with one of the more manageable group stages.
Although it's challenging to trust Tuchel's men completely, Lille's mid-table positioning in the French Ligue 1 doesn't post an alarming threat. To add, they're the lowest-scoring team on the UCL group stage since the 2016/17 season.
The top-rated sportsbooks are, to no surprise, heavily favoring the home side, but to find more bang for your buck, add the under 3.5 goals to the Chelsea money line. Chelsea has seen under 2.5 goals in their previous eight games in all competitions, and Tuchel's men notably held five clean sheets in last year's tournament.
Chelsea vs. Lille Score Prediction: Chelsea 2 – Lille 0
Soccer Pick: Chelsea Win and Under 3.5 Goals (-118) [1.85] [1.18u wager returns 1u of profit] at Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 03:00 PM EST at Estádio da Luz
⦁ Ajax has won 6 consecutive Champions League fixtures
⦁ Ajax has avoided defeat in 5 of their last 6 Champions League away games
⦁ Ajax is undefeated in away games for 14 straight months, winning 12 of 14
⦁ Benfica has scored in 10 consecutive games in all competitions
Following success in all six of their group stage fixtures, Ajax enters the final-16 as one of the underdogs worth taking note of. The Dutch giants visit an out-of-shape Benfica squad on Wednesday and will be confident of overcoming the home team's rocky patch.
Former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has been replaced with the young and inexperienced Nélson Veríssimo, and the newly appointed 44-year-old manager has only won 50% of his games.
Ajax has the delight of fielding Sébastien Haller, the current top goal scorer in the Champions League competition (10). His prolific goal-scoring assists with a 10-game winning streak in all competitions for the Dutch dark horses.
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At this point, underestimating Ajax isn't a position you want to be in. Bayern Munich was the only team that managed to surpass Erik ten Hag's team's group stage goal-scoring tally (20), and I believe their successes will continue.
Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon, and Besiktas failed to handle the defensive strengths of Ajax during the group stage, and I anticipate Erik ten Hag's squad will kick start their final-16 campaign with a win.
Benfica vs. Ajax Score Prediction: Benfica 1 – Ajax 3
Soccer Pick: Ajax Win and Over 1.5 Goals (+105) [2.05] [1u wager returns 1.05u of profit] at Everygame
*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.