Hi gang! The Champions League is back in Europe. I’m looking at three games this week, plus Manchester City’s game in the Premier League and Arsenal’s upcoming match. Bet on these games here.
Dortmund 2 v 2 PSG – Tuesday 18 February – Champions League – Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals (1.50)
Both of these sides are very capable of scoring goals and we should expect an entertaining first leg. Dortmund are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season and have won all three of their home games in 2020, scoring 14 goals in the process. However, they have lost eight of their last ten games in the Champions League knockout phase. PSG’s record at this stage isn’t much better. They have won four of their last ten knockout games. They have been superb in the group stages, though, winning five of their six games. Their 4-4 draw at Amiens on Saturday raised questions about their defence, so I’m not sure that Thomas Tuchel will win on his return to Westfalenstadion.
Atletico 0 v 1 Liverpool – Tuesday 18 February – Champions League – Double Chance Liverpool (1.30)
Liverpool are back at the stadium where they lifted the trophy last June. The reigning champions have been the best team in the world this season and picked up their 25th league win of the campaign at Norwich on Saturday. The Reds have only conceded three times across ten games so far in 2020. Atletico could only draw 2-2 at Valencia on Friday, a result which could affect their top four hopes. Diego Simeone’s side have only won one of their last seven games and I don’t think they will be able to beat Liverpool.
Man City 3 v 0 West Ham – Wednesday 19 February – Premier League – Second Half with Most Goals (1.95)
City have lost their last two games and they can’t afford another bad result before they face Real Madrid next week. They’re still second in the league and have enough quality to easily beat West Ham, who are 18th in the standings. The Irons haven’t won any of their last six games and I expect them to lose here. My bet will be Second Half with Most Goals, which has been a winner in six of City’s last seven league games and three of West Ham’s last five. City also scored four second-half goals when they beat the visitors 5-0 back in August.
Tottenham 2 v 1 RB Leipzig – Wednesday 19 February – Champions League – Both Teams to Score (1.50)
Victory over Aston Villa on Sunday stretched Tottenham’s unbeaten run to seven games, including five wins in that time. Their defence has looked vulnerable, though, with just one clean sheet in their last five games. RB Leipzig won 3-0 at the weekend to end a poor run of results but they haven’t tasted victory in any of their last four away games. I’m going for a Home Win and my Match Tip is Both Teams to Score, which has happened in four out of six Champions League games for both sides this season.
Olympiakos 1 v 1 Arsenal – Thursday 20 February – Europa League – Both Teams to Score (1.60)
Let’s see whether Arsenal’s win over Newcastle can kick-start a good run in the Europa League! The Gunners have reached at least the semi-finals in the last two seasons and are unbeaten so far in 2020. They haven’t lost any of their last nine away games, either, though Olympiakos have an incredible home record. They have won 18 of their 21 home games this season and are on a 17-game unbeaten run in all competitions. They have faced Arsenal six times in the last ten years, winning three and losing three. I’m going for a Draw in Greece.