UEFA Champions League Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (2/12)

We had an exciting day yesterday on the pitch for the first day of matches for the knockout round, but today we have 8 more teams beginning a two leg contest with their opponent. PSG, Juventus, Real Madrid and Dortmund all won outright yesterday (All but Juventus on the road) and secured an aggregate lead before heading into their 2nd leg. Will anyone be able to duplicate that performance today? Let’s get in to our UCL best bets and find out.

Remember, matches today are the first leg of a two leg contest between teams happening over the next two weeks. We already have 8 teams slotted in the Round of 16, but over the next two weeks we will fill the remaining spots on the bracket. Below are my best bets in the UCL today, but for our expert’s soccer picks, go to this page here!

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UEFA Champions League: Wednesday’s Soccer Action

Atalanta vs Club Brugge Best Bets

Best Bet: Atalanta ML (+135) Bovada

I’ll take a stab at Atalanta on the road for a bit of a “heat check” after our 3-0 sweep on the pitch (4-0-1 including scribbles’ leans) yesterday. Atalanta is the much better team, and they play very aggressive. Even on the road, I don’t think that changes, and I see them coming out attacking at will, daring Club Brugge to keep up or be forced to defend.

Club Brugge has struggled against top competition.

Club Brugge Last 5 Matches

• 1-0 Win vs Oud-Heverlee Leuven (12th/16 in Belgian Pro League)
• 2-1 Loss @ Antwerp (5th in Belgian Pro League)
• 3-1 Loss @ Manchester City (UCL)
• 1-1 Draw vs KV Kortijk (15th in Belgian Pro League)
• 0-0 Draw vs Juventus (UCL)

Sure, they are coming off a home win against a team they should’ve killed. Other than that, they have not looked good overall. In their 8 league phase matches, Club Brugge only managed 7 goals of their own while allowing 11 from their opponents. Atalanta was the exact opposite. They netted 20 while only allowingb 6.

For +135, I think we are getting great value on the much better team in a much more motivating spot for the Italians. Give me Atalanta to get a win and then be able to relax next Tuesday at home.

Prediction: Atalanta Wins 2-0 (+850)

AS Monaco vs Benfica Best Bets

Heavy Lean: Monaco/Benfica Under 3 (-130) BetOnline

While I’m not betting it, I do think this game stays under. AS Monaco is lightyears better at home than they are on the road. In their last 3 on the road, Monaco has lost 4-1 to PSG, 3-0 to Inter Milan, and 2-1 to Montpellier (last place in Ligue 1). However, at home, they’ve beaten AJ Auxerre 4-2, Stade Rennais 3-2 and Aston Villa, 1-0. After seeing what Benfica’s offense did in the league phase, I see Monaco being very conservative at home.

Sure, they will want to win this game and build an aggregate lead before going to Portugal, but the last thing they want to do is give up an early goal, have Benfica park the bus (much like did against Juventus), and then have to play from behind on the road next week. Monaco scored and allowed exactly 13 goals in 8 league phase matches, which is far too many conceded by their standards. I think Monaco focuses on controlling the possession in this game, especially in the first half, and trying to find a late winner.

Prediction: AS Monaco Wins 1-0 (+1000) OR 1-1 Draw (+575)

Celtic vs Bayern Munich Best Bets

Heavy Lean: Celtic/Munich Over 3 (-145) Bovada

I’m also not betting this one, and I’m suggesting a play with heavy juice and push potential, but I see a Munich domination here. They finished 12th on the table in league phase play, just one point out of a potential Top 8 spot. That is where they wished they were, and I see them making a statement in this match.

It shall read “We, at Bayern Munich, are still a European Football Powerhouse, and deserve to be treated as such”.

They are listed at -260 on the ML on the road for a reason. I did glance at their TT over 2.5 (+118) but decided the full game could be a safer route. Celtic has been able to find the back of the net, coming off two shutout wins, scoring a combined 11 in the process, and have netted 2+ in 9 of their L10 matches. While I don’t think they score more than 1, that could be all we need for this game to tick over.

Prediction: Bayern Munich Wins 3-1 (+900)

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs AC Milan Best Bets

Best Bet: AC Milan ML (-103) BetOnline

Feyenoord Rotterdam just appointed an interim head coach on Tuesday, Pascal Bosschaart, who has no experience as a senior team coach. Is now the time to buy the bad news? I don’t think so.

AC Milan added some fantastic attacking pieces in the January transfer window, including João Félix and Santiago Gimenez who join Christian Pulisic up front. Gimenez is actually facing his former team today, and he scored in his debut for Milan. This immediately boosts the Italian attack, which was already plenty fierce to begin with. Despite losing two of their last three on the road, Milan plays very unselfish and loves to control the possession. Nearly 80% of their UCL league phase goals have come from an assist, and again, I think they push for an aggregate lead so that they can relax back at home next week.

Teams who played yesterday will play on Wednesday next week and vice versa, so teams competing today will have just six days before they meet these teams again. An aggregate lead on the road would be huge for Milan considering their opponent, and I see them finding that win today.

Prediction: AC Milan Wins 2-1 (+700)

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