There are another four Champions League fixtures taking place this week with both Manchester City and Liverpool set to take on German opposition aiming to join Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter final.
Here at InterBet we will be previewing all four games, offering match odds, team news and tips. We start with Tuesday’s games when Manchester City host Schalke and Juventus and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in Turin.
Manchester City vs Schalke
First Leg Score: 3-2
Manchester City’s march towards an unprecedented quadruple could move a step closer on Tuesday evening as Pep Guardiola’s side host German club, Schalke in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.
City came from behind to claim a well-earned 3-2 win when the two sides met in Germany a fortnight ago. Now, in front of an expectant Etihad crowd, City are heavily backed to finish the job.
Ahead of the Schalke fixture, Manchester City have received a timely boost by the return to fitness of defender, Aymeric Laporte. The central defender has been absent recently with a hamstring injury but is set to replace the suspended Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the City defence. John Stones is also absent as he struggles with a groin injury. Captain, Vincent Kompany, is likely to partner Laporte in defence.
Midfielder, Fernandinho, is also missing through suspension. The holding midfielder’s absence is likely to mean a start for Ilkay Gundogan. Speculation over the German international’s future at Manchester City has emerged this week over his reluctance to sign a new contract at Manchester City.
Gundogan claimed, “I am very happy here [at Manchester City] and playing under Pep.”
However, the City midfielder went on to add, “I am 28 years old so my next contract will maybe decide where I will be for the end of my career. Maybe someone has an inner feeling to go for a new challenge or to change something. I am always open-minded for challenges but it is a personal situation. It is not obvious. Everyone has to make his own decision.”
One player set to feature for the home side on Tuesday is former Schalke player, Leroy Sane. 23-year old German international, Sane, has scored three times in two games against Schalke since moving to Manchester City in 2016. The winger is 5/1 to score first at the Etihad on Tuesday evening. Alternatively, you can back Sane to score at any time at 6/5.
City’s top scorer this season, Sergio Aguero, is aiming to score for the fourth successive Champions League for the first time in his career. The Argentinian international is 13/5 to score first or 11/20 to score any time. If you fancy a goal-fest at the Etihad Stadium then you may want to consider backing Aguero to score two or more at 23/10.
Match Odds
Manchester City – 1/8
Draw – 15/2
Schalke – 18/1
Juventus vs Atletico Madrid
First Leg Score: 0-2
After recruiting Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, Juventus were many people’s favourites to finally end a 23-year wait for a third European Cup win. However, the reigning Serie A champions face an uphill struggle to reach the last eight after going down to a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid a fortnight ago.
The Italians were on top for the majority of the first leg, earning two thirds of the possession but were left frustrated by a return of just two shots on target.
In what was a cagey encounter in Madrid. the game slowly moved towards a 0-0 draw. However, central defensive duo, Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin popped up with a double blow late on. The Uruguayan internationals scored on 78 and 83 minutes respectively to put Atletico Madrid in the driving seat ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg.
Ronaldo has scored an impressive 22 goals and eight assists in 32 previous games against Atletico Madrid and will be expected to offer Juventus’ greatest goal threat. The five-time Ballon D’Or winner is 10/11 to score any time or a very generous 5/2 to open the scoring.
Juventus’ hopes of progression could hinge on their ability to keep a clean sheet in Turin. If Atletico Madrid can bag an away goal then the home side will need to score at least four to keep their Champions League dreams alive. Juventus to win in 90 minutes with over 3.5 match goals could be very popular at 47/10.
This season’s Champions League final will be held at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano. If Diego Simeone’s side can hold onto their first leg advantage and progress to the quarter final they will attract plenty of money to go all the way. Simeone’s hard-working side have forged a ‘tough to beat’ reputation over the past few years. With a rock-solid defence, a 0-0 draw at 71/10 could be the best value bet of the evening!
Match Odds
Juventus – 7/10
Draw – 261/100
Atletico Madrid – 43/10
To Qualify
Juventus – 11/4
Atletico Madrid – 2/9