10/03/2021 – Champions League Predictions

Liverpool vs RB Leipzig Betting Tips

Preview

Liverpool will be delighted to turn their attention towards Champions League matters when considering their awful recent form in the Premier League. The Reds have lost six of their last seven domestic fixtures and Jurgen Klopp’s men will be desperate to ensure such a woeful run of results doesn’t extend to European competition, with Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig their opponents once again in this round of 16 second leg.

 When considering that Liverpool have lost their last six matches at Anfield, it may prove a blessing in disguise that this encounter has been moved once again to the Puskás Arena in Budapest due to Covid-19 isolation guidelines.

The first leg between these two sides saw the English champions wind up 0-2 winners and Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig have a daunting task ahead of them to turn this tie on its head.

However, whilst Liverpool have proven themselves as dangerously potent on the counter attack, Leipzig are in outstanding form offensively having won their last four games in all competitions, scoring 11 goals in the process. The German side are expected to control the tempo of this contest and against a Liverpool team suffering from numerous defensive injuries.

Leipzig will be afforded opportunities in front of goal. Nagelsmann’s men have a real chance of pulling off a memorable comeback here and whatever the outcome of this tie, we are set for an interesting 90 minutes for sure.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals

Given Liverpool’s poor form and the opposite for Leipzig, we’re expecting a good number of goals in this one. Leipzig did not score in the first leg but we can’t imagine them not scoring in this one, given Liverpool’s defensive struggles of late. Since the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Leipzig have scored at least two goals alone in their last four games, with two of those games seeing three goals scored from them alone. Despite Liverpool’s struggles, they could still get on the score-sheet as well and that’s why we’re tipping over 2.5 goals to happen. Bet365 have 1.66 odds, Bet9ja have 1.68 and 1xbet have 1.74.

Double Chance

It’s easy to see why we’re tipping a winner to emerge after 90 minutes. Given what is at stake and Leizpig sensing a chance to capitalize, the German side would go all out attacking from the onset. It could work for them and in the same vein, it could also back-fire against a Liverpool side that are poor on form but still have enough quality in their ranks. Whatever may happen, we’re expecting a winner after 90 minutes. Bet365 and Bet9ja have 1.28 odds while 1xbet have 1.34.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Liverpool)

Salah

The Egyptian is Liverpool’s top scorer by far this term with 24 goals to his name. Even when the Reds have faltered of late, Salah looks like the only player that can produce a spark and it won’t be a surprise to see him score even when they lose. If anyone would score at all for Liverpool, he is more than likely expected to be that man. Bet365 have 1.90 odds while Bet9ja have 2.25.

Mane

Over the past few weeks, it’s gotten rather difficult to predict who could score for Liverpool asides Mohamed Salah. All of their attackers have struggled, with the most notable being Sadio Mane. However, he scored in the first leg of this game and was rested last time out and only came on in the second half. He is expected to start this one and remains one of the likely names to score tonight despite his slump in form. Bet365 have 2.60 odds while Bet9ja have 3.25.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Leipzig)

Poulsen

The Danish forward has 11 goals for Leipzig this term and is their top scorer overall this season. His aerial prowess will come in handy against a faltering Liverpool defence and he is no doubt a top shout to get a goal. He is on decent form too with two goals in his last four games for the club. Given that Leipzig didn’t score in the first leg, it’s no surprise the bookies are underrating him once again with Bet365 offering a whopping 3.10 odds and Bet9ja putting theirs at 3.50.

Nkunku

The Austrian midfielder has also been a standout performer for Leizpig and our reason for tipping him to score is based on recent form. The 26-year-old has three goals in his last games for the German side and he will come into this game with full confidence, having scored last time out against Freiburg at the weekend. Immense value here as Bet365 have 3.75 odds while Bet9ja have 4.50.

Paris St-Germain vs Barcelona Betting Tips

Preview

If there’s one game you shouldn’t miss, it should be this one.

Barcelona need a miracle in Paris if they are to advance in the Champions League after losing 1-4 to PSG in their first leg clash at Camp Nou. Ronald Koeman’s men are in good form domestically, winning their last four games in all competitions without conceding a goal. However, scoring four times without reply away at French champions PSG in the second leg looks a mission too difficult even for the mercurial Lionel Messi to accomplish.

 With Barcelona having little choice but to go all-out attack from the first minute, an entertaining affair looks on the cards with the raw pace of Kylian Mbappe a hugely potent weapon for PSG on the breakaway.

Mbappe did the majority of the damage in the first leg by scoring a hat-trick and the 22-year-old will be confident of getting on the score-sheet again here by taking advantage of the extra space likely afforded to him inside the opposition half.

Four years ago, Barcelona did the impossible when they overturned a four-goal deficit to produce one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Can they do it again today? The odds are rather unlikely but never say never in a game of football, especially with a certain Lionel Messi on the pitch.

Tip: Over 2.5 Goals

Goals should be the order of the day given the theme of the match. Barcelona would be all out for goals in a bid to stage a miraculous comeback while PSG would also be looking to score early to put the game to bed. The anxious build-up to the game could see both teams score at both ends and we could see at least three goals after 90 minutes. Bet365 have 1.36 odds, Bet9ja have 1.38 and 1xbet have 1.41.

Both teams to score: YES

It would be a surprise if the hosts were to keep a clean sheet against Messi and co as PSG are expected to sit deep with an eye on soaking up plenty of possession from Barcelona and should be able to pick the visitors off at least once on the counter attack. With that in mind, both teams to score may well prove the smart play here. Bet9ja have 1.34 odds, Bet365 have 1.36 and 1xbet have 1.41.

Anytime Goal-scorer (PSG)

Mbappe

In the absence of Neymar, the young Frenchman has lived up to expectation. He stole all the headlines in the first leg at Camp Nou with his hatrick, becoming only the third player ever to do so. Once again, his pace could cause Barcelona problems and you dare not write him off from scoring a goal or two perhaps when both heavyweights meet tonight.  Barcelona’s defence might have improved of late but Mbappe have enough skill to breach the tightest of defences on a good day. Bet365 have 1.80 odds while Bet9ja have 2.00.

Sarabia

In the absence of Moise Kean to injury, the Argentine is expected to start and could be among the names to cause trouble for Barcelona. He might have scored only six goals this season but we’re tipping him to be a likely goal-scorer based on current form. He has scored a goal in his last two games for PSG and he’ll be looking to carry on with that form today. Bet365 have 2.87 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.25.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Barcelona)

Messi

If Barcelona remotely stand a chance of a comeback, they need Messi to turn up. We need no explanation on how he’ll always be the number one name for a goal in any Barcelona fixture. Either via a free-kick, long range effort or a brilliant solo goal, he’s the most likely name to get on the score-sheet tonight. He has been on impressive form of late and he’ll be eager to prove why he’s one of the greatest to grace the game if he leads his side to a stunning comeback. Bet365 have 1.66 odds while Bet9ja have 2.20.

Griezmann

Asides Messi, it’s been a flurry of goal-scorers for Barcelona of late but we’re going with Griezmann as the next likely goal-scorer. With 12 goals to his name, only Lionel Messi has scored more goals for Barcelona this term. His form might have gone down the charts much recently but what better game to make the Barcelona fans give him respect and admiration than this one if he manages to turn up to a good extent. He has experience in this competition and he remains a top candidate to score regardless. Bet365 have 2.10 odds while Bet9ja have 2.85.