The Champions League Round of 16 matchups for this Wednesday are worthy of a later stage. Both should be great game and both have potential to earn some money.
Real Madrid will host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite the Merengues are the team to beat in this series, Napoli doesn’t fear anybody. The game should have several goals going both ways. Keep in mind the Italian teams usually give Madrid all they can handle.
At the same time Arsenal will travel to Munich to face Bayern. Not many expect the Gunners to have a shot, but they are quietly having a good Champions League season. This series could be close than many expect.
These are the Champions League Predictions for this Wednesday, February 15:
Napoli at Real Madrid
- Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
- Match Day: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
- Time: 2:45 PM ET
- Odds: Napoli +488 vs Real Madrid -179, Draw +330
- Handicap: Real Madrid -1
- Game Total: 3
It’s a little awkward witnessing Real Madrid hosting the first leg of a Champions League Round of 16 series. We got used to seeing them winning their group stage while closing any series at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With that said, this particular matchup against Napoli presents different challenges for both teams. Real Madrid is the favorite in the price per head sportsbooks to advance to the next round, but they need to play carefully at home. A goal by Napoli would complicate things. The away goal rule ensures the Italians have an opportunity against a team with a bigger budget and perhaps more talent.
Madrid ended in the second spot of group F, earning 12 of the 18 points available due to three wins and three losses. The Germans from Borussia Dortmund ended in the first place with 14 points. Real struggled defensively in those first six games allowing ten goals while scoring 16. They drew twice against Dortmund. But the decisive game was an unexpected away draw against Legia in Bulgari.
Entering this game, Real Madrid has won three of the last four games between the Spanish La Liga and the Copa del Rey. They were eliminated by Celta de Vigo in the domestic Cup a few weeks ago. Their current form is a concern, especially when the online bookie software makes them to favorites.
On the other side is an underrated Napoli team who won Group B with 11 points. They had to beat Benfica, Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev in the group stage; none of the teams were powerful opponents.
Their current Serie A form, however, is impressive enough. Napoli enters this meeting having lost for the last time in October. Since their 2-1 defeat to Juventus, they have won 12 games and drew six. The pay per head bookies are well aware the team owns an impressive record over the last three months. They also know closing at the San Paolo stadium gives them some kind of edge in the series.
Real Madrid should be the one taking the more offensive approach in this first leg. Not only will they play at home, but they can’t afford to go to San Paolo with a narrow result. If they can, they will seek to put this series to rest once and for all this Wednesday.
Here’s one stat soccer betting fans should take a deep look into it. Napoli is the most scoring team in the Serie A with 57 goals in 24 games. They are particularly good playing on the road. 27 of those goals came away from home. Meaning they have confidence enough to go to the Santiago Bernabeu and leave with a least a result that gives them a chance in the second leg.
This game is going be fun to watch.
Champions League Predictions: Real Madrid -179.
Arsenal at Bayern Munich
- Stadium: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
- Match Day: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
- Time: 2:45 PM ET
- Odds: Arsenal +575 vs Bayern Munich -200, Draw +350
- Handicap: Bayern Munich -1
- Game Total: 3
Arsenal can’t catch a break. They finally ended first in the group stage, but luck played a big factor, and they drew one of the favorites to win the Champions League. The Gunners are not a team who one should fear to win the UCL. Bayer Munich is.
Arsenal won group A with 14 points after four wins and two draws. They are one of the five undefeated teams still in this competition. Their 18 goals scored and six allows ratio is one of the best this season. Yet, they are the underdogs in the pph sportsbooks. It’s crazy.
The Gunners need a perfect series to advance, and even so that might not be enough. There are some teams with a Champions League pedigree, and there are others without it. Arsenal hasn’t proved us they have what it takes to get to the last eight; let alone when Bayern Munich is in front.
Arsenal’s recent form says they have lost two of their last three Premier League games. Those recent defeats dropped them from second place to the fourth place in the EPL. They have 50 points 25 games, but Liverpool and Manchester United are chasing that fourth spot that gives a ticket to the next UEFA Champions League.
While Arsenal had an excellent group stage performance, all of that was about two months ago. It looks like the team has regressed.
Along with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich is one of the favorites to win the competition per the bookmaker software. The Bavarians have a team filled with talent who has lost in the semifinals for three straight years.
Despite the fact that they finished second in group D behind Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich feels like a contender; unlike Arsenal. They feel like a team who will get their act together when it matters the most.
Bayern Munich hasn’t lost a game in any competition since the FK Rostov upset them 3-2 back in November. Since then, they have won 13 of their last 14 games in all competitions. The only draw in that span was a 1-1 result against Schalke.
The dominance of the Bavarians should be on full display this Wednesday. They are by far the superior team. Talent and experience are on their side. Plus, the recent form is so much better than Arsenal’s. The price per head services might give you good enough soccer odds to bet the dog, but in this case, there is no upside to it.
Champions League Predictions: Bayern Munich -200.