The UEFA 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 2 betting advice, analysis and free soccer betting picks.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 – 04:00 PM EDT at Johan Cruyff Arena
⦁ Ajax is unbeaten in their previous 7 UCL games.
⦁ Ajax has won by 2 or more goals in their previous 3 UCL home meetings.
⦁ Ajax has won at HT/FT in their last 3 UCL home games.
⦁ Benfica has won just 1 of their last 6 UCL away games.
After a tense first leg meeting in Benfica where favorites Ajax were held to a 2-2 draw, a second leg meeting in the Netherlands on Tuesday afternoon should deliver the result we were expecting last time out.
It's a rare occasion when Sebastien Haller isn't putting himself on the score sheet, but an own goal at the Estadio da Luz wasn't the outcome Ajax fans were anticipating. It didn't take the prolific goal scorer long to correct his mistake at the correct end of the pitch, but Benfica's Roman Yaremchuk was able to salvage Benfica's night with a late equalizer.
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We can take a lot from the first encounter, including the possession and shots on target where Ajax dominated. They're obviously the more talented squad, but this is the Champions League, after all.
Expect the unexpected is a statement I wouldn't shy away from using in this tournament. Still, Benfica is fortunate to have made it this far, and traveling into the hostile Johan Cruyff Arena will be a daunting task. The visitors boast an appalling away record in the Champions League, winning just 1 of their previous 14 road trips, and I expect this trend to continue.
For obvious reasons, the available Champions League odds at the best sportsbooks expect Ajax to win this encounter comfortably, and I struggle to find an argument to oppose their stance.
Erik ten Hag and company have won 7 consecutive home games in all competitions, allowing just 2 goals in the meantime whilst scoring at least 2 goals during all of these encounters.
I anticipate the home side will take an early lead and hold onto it with a tight grip, Haller is bound to score, and if you factor these opinions into your betting slip – value is to be found.
Ajax vs. Benfica Score Prediction: Ajax 3 – Benfica 0
Soccer Pick: Ajax Halftime/Full-Time (-110) [1.90] [1.10u wager returns 1u of profit] at Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 - 04:00 PM EDT at Stade Pierre-Mauroy
⦁ Lille has kept a clean sheet in their previous 3 UCL games.
⦁ Lille scores an average of 0.33 goals in their UCL home fixtures.
⦁ Chelsea has defeated Lille on 3 occasions in the Champions League.
⦁ Chelsea has avoided defeat in 18 of their last 20 UCL meetings.
French side Lille are backed into a corner heading into their 2nd leg clash with Chelsea, with a 2-0 deficit to overcome. They've also been known for a low tempo of play which hasn't produced many goals of late.
If Jocelyn Gourvennec wants his squad to find a result against the defending UCL champions, a free-flowing attack must come into - a style his team isn't renowned for this term.
Five consecutive clean sheets in domestic action provide an insight into Lille's strong point, and that's their defense. However, entering this fixture will require an alternative approach, especially when Chelsea would happily leave France with a 0-0 bore draw.
You can only picture the scenes if last year's Champions League winners can repeat last season's success. Still, before Thomas Tuchel can think about another final, he must first juggle the forthcoming matchday.
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Ahead of Wednesday's meeting in France, the Blues will be confident in claiming their quarterfinals position after winning their previous 4 domestic outings. To add, Chelsea's last visit to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy resulted in a 2-1 victory.
Although I believe Tuchel's men can walk away with back-to-back wins over Lille, we must recognize that Chelsea isn't necessarily playing to score. For this reason and because of the undesirable UCL odds on the Blues winning away from home, I'm interested in the goals market.
Lille vs. Chelsea Score Prediction: Lille 0 – Chelsea 1
Soccer Pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-125) [1.80] [1.25u wager returns 1.10u 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.