The Champions League is back. The last 16 start on Tuesday on CBS All Access with the big match against PSG, while Liverpool will also face RB Leipzig. This competition always has a fair amount of upset. Just look back at last season where RB Leipzig and Lyon reached the semi-finals, which surprised the football world in the process.
This season we have seen Shakhtar Donestsk do the doubles at Real Madrid, while Istanbul Basaksehir have won Manchester United.
If the teams now enter a new level of importance with two legs to decide who moves on, which teams should be on their guard? (All odds via Willam Hill Sportsbook)
You can stream every game CBS All Access (soon to be renamed Paramount +) and selected matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The final of May 29 will be broadcast on CBS.
PSG (against Barcelona)
To advance to quarterfinals: Barcelona: +100; PSG: -137
Lionel Messi and Barcelona as underdogs? 100 percent, but cautious here in a potential upset. Barca were so inconsistent and had a bad performance against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and where does anyone see the road to a victory against a loaded PSG? Well, that has changed with the news that Neymar is out of the first leg with an adductor injury – and injuries to Neymar over the past few years have contributed to PSG’s lack of success in the competition, apart from the run – up to the final last summer .
PSG have also shown massive inconsistency and recently lost to Lorient and did not even lead Ligue 1.
These are two teams with talent, although PSG have more, but it is also quite contradictory. PSG have lost all five Ligue 1 matches, and although Barca were hot in the league, they were not the least convincing. On paper, PSG are the stronger side, but without Neymar, a potential victory in the first game could be nice for Barca to deliver in the French capital again.
Atletico Madrid (against Chelsea)
First leg: Atletico Madrid: +160; sign +210; Chelsea: +190
It’s all about the first leg. Chelsea are a close favorite to advance above La Liga’s current leaders, but the Spanish team remain small favorites in the first leg, despite the game being moved from Atleti’s home ground to a neutral stadium in Bucharest. While Atletico Madrid seem to be running away with La Liga, with Chelsea struggling to the point where Frank Lampard was sacked and Thomas Tuchel was brought in to replace him, appearances could be misleading. Since Tuchel signed, the Blues have not lost a game, and they have won four of their last five in the clash with Newcastle.
The Blues have improved their possession, which is the key to not giving up so many chances. In Lampard’s last 13 games, where the Blues have lost five of the last eight, they have averaged 57.9 percent possession. They have conceded 12 goals in the last eight games.
Since Tuchel took over, Chelsea have improved their possession by more than 10 per cent, averaging 68.45 per cent and conceding only once. The possession, which will continue to improve, will be crucial for a team like Atletico who would like to push. Chelsea have also improved in their passing, and playing smart and keeping the ball on the ground can make the difference against Atletico. That possession could help overcome an inconsistent backline as they want to get Thiago Silva back from injury.
Real Madrid (against Atalanta)
To advance to quarterfinals: Atalanta: +163; Right Madird: -225
This is about the fact that Real Madrid just are not consistent, especially in this competition this season. These two losses against Shakhtar were incredible, as Real exceeded most of the 180 minutes in which they confronted the Ukrainian team. Without Sergio Ramos, Real’s defense could be pretty average, as Nacho struggles to fit in with Raphael Varane. If Ramos can not go, you have to be careful, because Real is facing one of the best attacks in Europe in Atalanta.
The speed with which the Italian team moves forward, combined with Real’s system that gives space on the wings when their fullbacks come forward, will probably mean that Atlanta will get their appearance significantly. If they are even exactly in front of the goal, no one will be surprised to see the most successful team in the history of the competition bounce early.
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