Yesterday saw another interesting round of results in the Champions League. To the surprise of everyone, Chelsea claimed an important win over Atletico Madrid. In the other fixture, Bayern thrashed Lazio 4-1 and this one wasn’t a surprise in any way.
Another set of potentially interesting ties are on the cards today and we’ll be doing justice to them with our tips just like we always do.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid Prediction and Tips
Preview
Real Madrid will be aiming to make it five wins in five games across all competitions when they lock horns with Serie A outfit Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium in the first leg of their 2020/21 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Real Madrid made it hard for themselves in the group stages of the Champions League but ultimately were able to qualify to the knockout stages as Group B winners. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Zinedine Zidane’s men have put together a four-game winning run, most recently beating Real Valladolid 1-0 despite all their injury problems.
Atalanta, meanwhile, finished second in Group D behind Liverpool, losing just one of their six games in the group phase. The last season’s quarter-finalists are in a good run of form, having not lost their last five games in a row, which includes a 4-2 win over Napoli in Serie A. And they will be aiming to extend that run against Real Madrid.
This will be the first time ever that Atalanta and Real Madrid take on against each other in a competitive setting.
Los Blancos are currently ravaged with injuries all over and it makes this one an exciting tie. Real Madrid might remain slight favorites but Atalanta boast a real chance to make something happen tonight.
Tip: Atalanta win or draw
There are many reasons to believe Atalanta can get a positive result today. Firstly, their home form is second to none and they have scored 3+ goals in four of their last five competitive outings at Gewiss Stadium. The main reason though is the fact that Real Madrid a missing a big chunk of their key players. Los Blancos have to nine players injured including Benzema, Ramos, Marcelo, Hazard and Carvajal. Atalanta might have the opportunity to capitalize on a ‘weak’ Madrid side tonight. Bet365 have 1.36 odds, Bet9ja have 1.37 and 1xbet have 1.43.
Over 2.5 Goals
When you think of Atalanta, you think of goals. The Italian side are a well-attacking unit that are never scared to take it to their opponents. Three out of their last five Serie A games has seen at least four goals scored (both teams combined). We expect Atalanta to be their usual attacking selves at home tonight and we all know Real Madrid will most likely get on the score-sheet no matter the result tonight. It’s a game where both sides are well equipped to score and we could see a good number of goals. Bet9ja have 1.60 odds, Bet365 have 1.66 and 1xbet have 1.71.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Atalanta)
Zapata
Duván Zapata has scored three UCL goals this season, being Atalanta’s first goal-scorer in both matches he’s found the net. The Colombian forward has 13 total goals this season and he’s impressed largely in front of goal. He is also on top form at the moment and remains a good shout to score for sure. Bet365 have 2.10 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have theirs at 2.70.
Muriel
Alongside fellow Colombian Zapata, Muriel has been the menace for Atalanta upfront. With 17 goals this season, he is their top scorer and has scored in two out of his last four Serie A games. Just yesterday, he mentioned in an interview that Atalanta can beat Real Madrid and that should keep him fired up for tonight. Similar to Zupata, Bet365 also have 2.10 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have theirs at 2.70.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Real Madrid)
Mariano
In the absence of Benzema, the Spanish forward will take on the goal-scoring burden and he’ll be fired up to prove to Zidane he can be a dependable player. You can expect Mariano to give his 100% today. He could be one for value with Bet365 offering 2.75 odds while Bet9ja have theirs at 2.90.
Asensio
Another Spaniard in Asensio has not scored in a while but he’ll be one of the most threatening players for Real Madrid in their quest for goals tonight. He has popped up with some important Champions League goals in the past and he is value to do that once again today. He comes with massive value to score as both Bet9ja and Bet365 have 3.50 odds for him to score.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City Prediction and Tips
Preview
Manchester City’s outstanding run of form in domestic competitions will be tested on Wednesday when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena in the UEFA Champions League. The venue serves as the home location for the Bundesliga outfit due to government restrictions that prohibit the foreign team to travel to Germany.
Performing outside Borussia Park is certainly a big ask for the Gladbach side, especially if we are to consider their recent run of results. Indeed, after an impressive start to 2021, the Foals have failed to win any of their last four Bundesliga matches – a run of form that has seen them drop below Union Berlin in the Bundesliga table.
Gladbach were also criticized for their performances in the Champions League stage, luckily qualifying to the knockout thanks to excellent performances against Shakhtar Donetsk over the two legs.
Their midweek opponents, Manchester City, in contrast, are currently the most in-form team in Europe. They are on an 18 game-winning run in all competitions and are yet to lose a single game since November. In the absence of a rare upset, we expect City to continue their unbeaten run and extend their winning streak in the process.
Tip: Manchester City win
Manchester City remain on their 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Can anybody stop them at the moment? Possibly yes, but we don’t think it’ll be Monchengladbach. The German outfit has only one win in their last five games and are not coming into this game with the best of form. We expect City to make this 19 straight wins in all competitions. Bet365 have 1.28 odds, Bet9ja have 1.30 and 1xbet have 1.34.
Over 2.5 goals
Monchengladbach will come into this game as ‘underdogs’ but it doesn’t mean they can’t cause City some problems. Both sides are attacking by nature and you can understand why we’re tipping this to happen. It’s a fixture where the German side could get on the score-sheet and it could be about City outscoring them. Bet9ja have 1.50 odds, Bet365 have 1.53 and 1xbet have 1.55.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Monchengladbach)
Lars Stindl
Gladbach captain Lars Stindl netted two UCL goals earlier this season during victories against Shakhtar Donetsk, and his last four competitive strikes all came between the 25th-40th minute. The forward has 13 goals this season and could be a value bet to get in on the goals tonight. The bookies are completely underrating Monchengladbach tonight as Bet365 have 3.75 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have theirs at 4.25.
Alberto Luis Jonas Hofmann
The German has six goals for Monchengladbach this term and is their next best scorer after Stindl. He also has a thing for scoring at home and he could be worth a punt today. More value comes with Hoffman as Bet365 have 5.50 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 6.00.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Manchester City)
Sterling
Raheem Sterling is on top form at the moment and has scored in two of his last three games for City, including the winner against Arsenal at the weekend. He scored twice against Gladbach back in 2015 and he’ll be fired up to carry on his impressive form at the moment. Bet365 have 2.10 odds for him to score while Bte9ja have it at 2.25.
Gundogan
He is one of the most in-form players in Europe since the start of 2021. The German returned from injury in the game against Arsenal but didn’t get on the score-sheet. However, he did score a couple against Gladbach during his time in the Bundesliga and he could yet repeat those heroics today. Bet365 have 2.00 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have theirs better at 3.00.
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.
