CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 TIPS: FIVE-STAR 13/1 ACCA
Eight first legs across two nights and the chance for Europe’s elite to put one foot in the Champions League quarter finals.
Heavyweight ties like Galatasaray vs Liverpool, Newcastle vs Barcelona, Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal and Real Madrid vs Manchester City headline not only the round but our five-star 13/1 Acca!
We’re ready for the round of 16… what about you?
Leg 1 – Victor Osimhen to score vs Liverpool
Few strikers have adapted as well to the grandest stage in club football as Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian currently shares the fourth-most goals in the Champions League alongside Erling Haaland – he’s on one fewer than Burak Yilmaz in 2012/13, who set Gala’s record for the most prolific season in the competition.
Beyond that Osimhen has scored 16 goals in his first 25 appearances in Europe, putting him second among African players to hit that mark behind Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy (18).
In the context of this game, Osimhen has the mental edge already having scored the winner when these sides met on Matchday 2.
He’s also found the back of the net in each of his last three across all competitions, so should be more than game to give the Super Lig dynasty an advantage going into next week’s tough trip to Anfield.
Leg 2 – BTTS in Newcastle vs Barcelona
Our second leg promises more fireworks on Tyneside as Newcastle welcome the La Liga champions to St James’ Park for the second time in the Champions League.
We’ve gone with both teams to score here, the odds of which are currently under Evens if you’re running it on its own but, as part of our 13/1 Acca, it certainly matches the size of such an occasion.
Both teams to score landed the last time these two played each other but also in all three of both Newcastle and Barcelona’s last three European games.
What’s more, no other team in the top 13 let in more goals than the Blaugrana in the league phase – most of which have come at the expense of Hansi Flick’s high-risk, high-reward high line.
It’s the same high line that couldn’t stop Anthony Gordon from bagging a consolation goal a few months ago…
Leg 3 – Atletico Madrid to beat Tottenham
Atletico Madrid have won 10 of their 14 UEFA two-legged ties against English clubs, a fact that only dampens Tottenham’s hopes once injuries and form are taken into account.
The Lilywhites may have finished fourth in the league phase but their disastrous domestic campaign has them only one point above safety off the back of a five-game losing streak despite the hiring of Igor Tudor.
To make matters worse, they’ve also lost all four of their European two-legged ties against Spanish opposition going into Tuesday's trip to what is sure to be a red-hot Metropolitano.
Simply put, this is Diego Simeone and co.’s game to lose.
That’s a reality that may serve Spurs better in the grand scheme of things if they can turn their season around and guarantee Premier League football next season.
Leg 4 – Arsenal to score first vs Bayer Leverkusen
Mikel Arteta’s side have run roughshod over the Champions League so far with eight wins out of eight – the first team to do so under the new format – against some of the biggest teams on the continent.
Key to their success is the 23 goals they have scored and their ability to take the lead early and go on to double, if not triple it.
Arsenal travel to Leverkusen in Wednesday’s earlier kick-off at BayArena against a fellow invincibles side that has conceded first in two of their last three… you can see where we’re going with this.
The manner in which the Gunners are winning games – especially in Europe – is one of the major reasons they are currently the favourite to win the entire competition at 5/2.
Leg 5 – Real Madrid keeper over 3.5 saves vs Man City
Every five-star Acca needs another five-star performance from one of the best keepers in world football as Real Madrid welcome Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu for their annual meeting.
On top of making six saves against the Citizens on Matchday 6, Thibaut Courtois boasts an impressive 81.8% save percentage in the Champions League – the third best in the competition behind David Raya (90%) and Nick Pope (82.9%).
Los Blancos will enter this contest fielding a backline much weaker than seasons gone by – one plagued with injuries to key personnel.
No Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham should have Man City smelling blood in the water as they look to pick up their first win over the 15-time winners at the Bernabeu in over six years.
Expect Courtois to be called into action a few times here — and plenty of highlight reel saves to follow.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change.
