It feels like a long time since we’ve had any top level European football to enjoy but the long winter is coming to an end and the Champions League is back. This Tuesday and Wednesday the first legs of the knockout stages take place and as ever we are back with three different accas with increasing level of risk to try and add some profit to all the entertainment.
Easy Winner – 5/4 (BetVictor)
- Over 1.5 goals in Benfica v Zenit (2/5) – Zenit were excellent in the group stages and will likely carry that on, although Benfica are an attractive side at home so there should be goals in this one.
- Real Madrid/the draw double chance (1/4) – Roma are not playing very well at the moment domestically and since the group stage they have sacked their manager. Real Madrid will be looking to fly through this round and have more than enough to avoid defeat in Rome.
- Over 1.5 goals in Gent v Wolfsburg (3/10) – Two of the most entertaining teams in the group stage go up against each other on Wednesday and it could well be worth watching the highlights show to keep an eye on this potential fire cracker.
Medium Risk – 16/1 (Sky Bet)
- Wolfsburg to beat Gent (5/4) – Gent are delighted to have made it this far but it could be the end of the road against Wolfsburg. The German side will be going for the win away from home and with their attacking prowess they can certainly put themselves in a strong position by securing a big away win.
- Zenit to win a half against Benfica (11/8) – Benfica will go into the game thinking that they are the favourites and could well be surprised by Zenit who were superb in the early stages of the Champions League. The match could go either way but Zenit can easily win (at least) one of the halves.
- Real Madrid to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 (9/4) – Sky Bet’s group scoring market offers a great price of 9/4 on Real Madrid to beat Roma by a scoreline which just about keeps Roma in the tie.
Long Shot – 140/1 (Bet365)
- 1-1 correct score in PSG v Chelsea (6/1) – PSG and Chelsea drew 1-1 when they last played in the Champions League at the Parc de Princes and a repeat of that scoreline would see both Guus Hiddink and Laurent Blanc relatively happy going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
- Over 1.5 goals in the first half of Benfica v Zenit (5/4) – Zenit have caught teams cold in the group stages of the Champions League and they may be aiming to repeat the trick against Benfica who may not be expecting such a fierce test.
- Wolfsburg to win from behind against Gent (8/1) – Gent will be hugely lifted for this one in the early stages of the match and could go into an early lead but the class of Wolfsburg should see them continue to dominate possession and create enough chances to come back from any early set back.