Yesterday was a good day regarding our tips. Mostly all of our tips came through except for Bayern Munich who came from two goals down to salvage a 3-3 draw against Arminia.
Without wasting much of our time, we have some big games on the cards tonight. The Champions League is back for the round of 16 and we take a look at two of the most anticipated fixtures of this round.
Leipzig vs Liverpool Prediction
Preview
Budapest’s Puskas Stadium will play host to the first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie between RB Leipzig and Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The first ever competitive meeting between the two sides will be held at the neutral venue due to coronavirus restrictions, and Liverpool will be looking to take advantage of Leipzig’s lack of a home fixture in the two-legged tie.
Leipzig have lost just twice in 13 games across all competitions, keeping nine clean sheets in that time to suggest that those group-stage defensive issues have now been solved.
Plenty has changed for both of these teams since they were last in Champions League action in December, but Liverpool in particular will be hoping that the return of European football will bring about another change in fortune.
The six-time European champions have won just five of their 15 games across all competitions since their final group game, losing six times including each of their last three outings.
The most recent of those – a quickfire collapse against Leicester City on Saturday – saw the defending English champions fall 13 points off the pace set by Manchester City, having played a game more than the leaders.
While their opponents on Tuesday come into this match off the back of three straight defeats, Leipzig go into it having won each of their last four games, most recently beating Augsburg 2-1 on Friday night.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals
If recent numbers tell us anything at all, it’s the fact that this fixture is set up for a good number of goals. Four out of Leizpig’s last five games have seen over 2.5 goals while five out of Liverpool’s last six games have seen at least four goals at the end of the day. With two attacking sides on display tonight, we can expect to see a good number of goals at the end of the day. Bet9ja have 1.64 odds, Bet365 have 1.66 and 1xbet have 1.72.
Both teams to score: Yes
It’s easy to see why we’re tipping both teams to score. Liverpool have kept only two clean sheets in their last 10 games. Their defence has been shocking of late and Alisson looks like a man without confidence at the moment. Leipzig will likely capitalize on Liverpool’s faltering defence but we still expect Liverpool to score as well. If we see a different Liverpool side, it could be a matter of who scores the most. Bet9ja have 1.52 odds, Bet365 have 1.53 and 1xbet have 1.59.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Leipzig)
Poulsen
The Danish forward has nine goals for Leipzig this term and is one of their top scorers 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. The bookies are underrating him with Bet365 offering a whopping 3.00 odds and Bet9ja putting theirs at 3.40.
Sabitzer
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 two goals in his last three games for the German side and he will come into this game with full confidence, aiming to keep up his impressive form. Immense value here as Bet365 have 3.40 odds while Bet9ja have 4.50.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Liverpool)
Salah
The Egyptian is Liverpool’s top scorer by far this term with 23 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’s been common 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 1.83 odds while Bet9ja have 2.20.
Firmino
In contrast to Salah, the Brazilian might have scored only six goals this season but he always looks an offensive threat in any Liverpool attack. In a time when Mane has struggled of late, Firmino looks like the next best option to score for Liverpool after the prolific Egyptian. Bet365 have 2.70 odds whileBet9ja have 3.60.
Barcelona vs PSG Prediction
Preview
Nearly four years on from the infamous La Remontada, Barcelona and PSG renew on-the-pitch hostilities in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 battle at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening.
This fixture is easily one of the most anticipated games of this round.
Notwithstanding the importance of progressing to the quarter-finals for both sides, Barcelona and PSG have already locked horns off the pitch over soon-to-be free agent Lionel Messi, and all eyes will be on the Argentine this week.
The hosts warmed up for this game with a comfortable 5-1 thrashing of Alaves in La Liga, and while PSG also picked up a vital victory in the league at the weekend, the manner of their 2-1 triumph over Nice was not as dominant.
Another major talking point is the fact that Neymar won’t be available for the clash as he misses yet another round of 16 clash for PSG.
The last time these two sides met in the Champions League was in the 2016/17 last 16 stage. Barcelona pulled off a historic comeback to eliminate PSG with a 6-5 aggregate score-line. Another interesting tie awaits at the Nou Camp tonight.
Tip: Barcelona to win
This might probably be the hardest game to predict in terms of a winner but we’re slightly tipping the Catalan giants to win this one. The main reason is the fact that this fixture is at the Camp Nou and Barcelona have a good record here in the Champions League. Also the added fact that Neymar will be missing in this clash is an ‘advantage’ for Barcelona. Consider the final fact that Messi comes into the fixture with good form and you can see why we’re going in favor of the Spanish side. Bet365 have 2.00 odds, Bet9ja have 2.02 and 1xbet have 2.08.
Over 2.5 Goals
No don’t expect another 6-1 score-line but you can expect a good number of goals at the Nou Camp regardless. Given the reputation of both sides and their styles of play, we don’t expect any side to sit back and we‘re anticipating an open game where goals should come in either from defensive mishaps or moments of individual brilliance. Bet9ja have 1.55 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and 1xbet have 1.65.
Both teams to score: YES
Both teams are well known to be more focused on the attacking side of their game than any other aspect. PSG have only failed on two occasions in their last 14 games. On the other hand, Barcelona have only failed to score once in 18 games. Barcelona’s defence has been poor of late and PSG can capitalize. Messi will also fancy his chances of carrying on his impressive run of late. Bet9ja have 1.48 odds, Bet365 have 1.50 and 1xbet have 1.52.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Barcelona)
Messi
When you think about Barcelona and goals, you think about Lionel Messi. 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. Bet365 have 1.66 odds while Bet9ja have 2.25.
Griezmann
With 12 goals to his name, only Lionel Messi has scored more goals for Barcelona this term. Much recently, he has perhaps been the most in-form Barca star and he would no doubt be fired up to keep up his recent impact for his side. Bet365 have 2.00 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 3.00.
Anytime Goal-scorer (PSG)
Mbappe
In the absence of Neymar, he is the biggest attacking name for PSG on the pitch. With 18 goals to his name this season, he is the top scorer for the French side. As earlier mentioned, Barcelona have struggled at the back of late and the Frenchman could be happy to capitalize on those woes. Bet365 have 2.10 odds while Bet9ja have 2.55.
Kean
The youngster has impressed on loan from Everton with 15 goals to his name. In the absence of Neymar, he is expected to feature in attack alongside Mbappe and Icardi. Kean scored the winner in PSG’s last outing against Nice and he could once again be among the goal-scorers tonight. Bet365 have 2.60 while Bet9ja have 3.25.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
