The Champions League Round of 16 second legs continue Tuesday with Juventus hosting Atletico Madrid and Manchester City welcoming Schalke to the Etihad. After last week it’s hard to say that any of these matchups are over, but it will be an uphill battle for both Schalke and Juventus.
Juventus vs Atletico Madrid
Last Time Out: Atletico Madrid 2 – 0 Juventus
Atleti used two late goals to take a 2-0 lead to Turin. Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin were the goal scorers for Atleti, who were dominated possession wise, but used their typical style to hold Juventus to no away goals.
Preview: Juventus rested a lot of starters in their weekend game vs Udinese and still cruised to a 4-1 win to extend their Serie A lead. With the Serie A title all but wrapped up the Champions League is really all Juve have to play for. Juve haven’t lost at home since their Champions’ League group stage match against Manchester United. Juve are in relatively good from having gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Juve games have gone over 2.5 goals in eight of their last ten games. Atleti did what they do and beat Leganes 1-0 over the weekend to maintain their second place standing in La Liga. Atleti have just one away loss in 2019, but have only won 3 of 6 this calendar year. Overall, Atleti are on a five game winning streak and have not given up a goal in any of those five. Atleti have gone under 2.5 goals in eight of their last ten games overall.
Game Odds: Juventus -139, Atletico Madrid +370, Draw +260, O/U 2, 2.5 (-112)
Prediction: Juventus 1 – 0 Atleti
Juventus will have the ball most of the game, but the Atleti defense will stifle the attack and advance to the quarterfinals. Mario Mandzukic will get the goal, but Juve but it won’t be enough as they crash out of the Champions League in disappointing fashion yet again. My best bet for this game is Under 2, 2.5 goals.
Manchester City vs Schalke
Last Time Out: Schalke 2 – 3 Manchester City
It was a wild game when these two met in Germany and for a while it looked like Schalke was going to pull off a massive upset, but two late Man City goals gave them a commanding lead in this tie. City got out to an early 1-0 lead, but two penalties late in the first half gave Schalke a 2-1 lead heading into the break. In the 68th minute Nicolas Otamendi received his second yellow and was sent off leaving City down to 10 men. A wonderful free kick, by Leroy Sane, in the 85th minute and a 90th minute goal by Raheem Sterling finished a stunning comeback for the Premier League leaders.
Preview: City have just one loss since the end of December and have lost just twice at the Etihad all season long. City will be without a few key players in this one, but they are certainly not hurting for depth. Schalke are just in terrible form right now having lost four straight games and without a win in seven. They have yet to win an away fixture, in 2019, having only beaten relegation side Stuggart back in December. Schalke are just four points clear of safety in the Bundesliga and it will do them well to get this competition off theirs schedule.
Game Odds: Manchester City -769, Schalke +1550, Draw +700, O/U 3.5 (-107)
Prediction:
The three road goals for City put this one away in Germany, so it is a little difficult to pick a value bet in this one. City should win easily, and Schalke have been giving up a ton of goals lately, so go with over 3.5 goals in this one.
