Europe Champions League - Last 16 (1st Leg)

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

RB Leipzig:
Gulacsi; Simakan, Lukeba, Orban, Raum; Olmo, Schlager, Kampl, Simons; Sesko, Openda

Real Madrid:
Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Diaz; Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo

Red Bull Leipzig will welcome Real Madrid to Germany for the first leg of their Last-16 tie. The Spanish side are the most successful club in the history of the competition with 14 trophies, but they know from experience that Leipzig is not an easy place to visit. The sides were paired in the 2022/23 group stage and Real won 2:0 in Spain. However, Marco Rose's team struck twice from set pieces in the opening 20 minutes of the reverse fixture and went on to win 3:2. It is clear Leipzig should not be underestimated, even they are in poor form at the moment. Three defeats and just one win in the last five matches will definitely put the players under big pressure. To be worse, Die Roten Bullen head into this match on the back of a disappointing 2:2 draw with Augsburg. They are now three points behind fourth-placed Dortmund. Coach Rose has a difficult job to rebuild the players confidence. Almost all of his men are available, only Amadou Haidara is doubtful with a knee injury. Defenders Mohamed Simakan and Benjamin Henrichs must be very careful as they are both just one booking away from suspension, as well as Castello Lukeba.

Real Madrid were good as usual during the group stage and finished first in Group C. Los Blancos were one of only two teams to cruise the Champions League group stage without dropping a single point (the other are the reigning champions Manchester City). They were superior at home, but also as guests. Ancelotti's men managed to beat 3:2 Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, then beat 2:1 Braga in Portugal and finally registered a 3:2 win over Union Berlin in German Capital. As You could see, the matches Real played on road were efficient - a total of 8 goals were scored, while 5 were conceded. That's an average of more than 4 goals per game. Los Blancos are in good form domestically too. They already won the Spanish Super Cup after beat 5:3 Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, and 4:1 Barcelona in the final. Real are also going towards another La Liga trophy after winning 4:0 against the "season miracle" Girona. Once again it was Jude Bellingham who made a difference. He scored a brace while Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo netted the remaining two. But just after his second goal, Bellingham was forced to leave the pitch with a sprained ankle. He is rated as doubtful, while Antonio Rudiger is definitely sidelined due to a thigh issue. Three more players, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois, remain long-term absentees.

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Prediction:

I expect an efficient match in Leipzig. Real Madrid are easily scoring and conceding goals. As I wrote above, a total of 8 goals were scored, while 5 were conceded on their three away games in the group. Ancelotti's men beat 3:2 Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, then beat 2:1 Braga in Portugal and finally beat 3:2 Union in Berlin. But this won't be an "one-way street" as Red Bull are also a good team with quality players. Their six matches from the group phase were efficient and all of them ended with Over 2.5 goals. I believe the series will continue.

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.67 with Pinnacle

 

[LastMohican]

Both teams will start to the match safely. Leipzig will want to play a controlled game at home and will go to Spain with an advantage score. Bellingham is injured by Real Madrid, Leipzig is not a team that that allows many counter attacks. They have sold some important midfield and attacking players, this will push them to play with more control. Therefore, my expectation for the match is under 4.5 goals.

 

[spkutano]

It is possible, but I expect at least three goals. Leipzig can't play "catenaccio" in front of their own fans. There will be goal opportunities. Let's see.

 

[spkutano]

Lazio vs Bayern Munich Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Lazio:
Provedel; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Hysaj; Guendouzi, Rovella, Alberto; Isaksen, Immobile, Anderson

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane

Lazio will welcome Bayern Munich in their Champions League Last-16 tie at Stadio Olimpico in the Italian Capital. The German champions are favorites, though Lazio players will try to make a surprise. The Biancocelesti were solid during the group stage and finished second to Atletico Madrid but above both Feyenoord and Celtic. The home form was crucial for progress as they won two and drew one of three fixtures in Rome. Lazio won 1:0 against the Dutch outfit and 2:0 against the Scottish side, while played an 1:1 draw with La Liga opponents. As You could see, they have conceded just one goal on the three home matches. At the same time Lazio have scored in each of their last 13 Champions League home games. Coach Maurizio Sarri will try to continue the series, but has some worries ahead of this match. Central defender Patric is sidelined with a shoulder problem, while Mattia Zaccagni is rated s doubtful with a toe injury. Captain Ciro Immobile is ready and he will lead the line. The Italy striker love to play in the Champions League - he averages a goal every 99 minutes.

Bayern were superior during the group stage, finishing first with five victories and one draw. It came against FC Copenhagen in the fifth round, but it wasn't a problem - the Bavarians had already secured the first place in Group A. But the current form is a big problem, Bayern suffered a painful defeat to Bayer Leverkusen during the weekend. The Bavarians now trail Leverkusen by five points in the Bundesliga. Coach Tuchel is under big pressure, but so far managed to survive. The club management wasn't that patient with Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann. However, a win in Rome will relax Tuchel and his players. Bayern have player able to make a difference here - Harry Kane. No player has been directly involved in more Champions League goals this season than Kane. He had seven goals to his name, four scored and three assisted. The captain of England national team will lead the line and his inspiration is crucial for the outcome of this match. Tuchel has six injury issues ahead of this match. Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Konrad Laimer and Bouna Sarr are definitely sidelined, while Alphonso Davies and Bryan Zaragoza are rated as doubtful due to muscular injury and illness respectably.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich Prediction:

After a dismal 3:0 defeat to Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, I expect Bayern Munich to respond in Europe. It won't be easy against Lazio at Stadio Olympico, but I believe the German champions are able to win. The quality is on their side, the experience too. Lazio have reached the Champions League knockout stage for only the third time in their history, while Bayern are ultimately targeting a seventh European crown. I believe Bayern players will do the majority of their job in Italy.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich Pick: Bayern Munich to win @ 1.70 with Pinnacle

 

[spkutano]

Napoli vs Barcelona Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Napoli:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Barcelona:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Roque

Napoli will host Barcelona in the most interesting match of the Champions League's last 16. The first-leg clash will be played at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples. Some journalists even called it "Maradona derby". The hosts have experienced a poor season and they are out of Scudetto race. The Vesuvians are huge 27 points behind leaders Inter Milan and it is clear they will not defend the title. However, the European campaign is successful, they finished second in Group C, behind Real Madrid, who they were beaten by both home and away. Still, three wins from their other four fixtures - against Braga and Union Berlin - proved enough to progress to the knock-out phase they will now attempt to topple the second Spanish Giants Barcelona. So far Napoli had been eliminated in three previous contests across the last five seasons. Coach Walter Mazzarri, who replaced Rudi Garcia in November, was unable to improve the results and came under heavy pressure. Napoli remain a shadow of their former selves and are in danger of missing out on European qualification altogether. Mazzarri was sacked too and Slovakian manager Francesco Calzona arrived on a short-term deal until June, becoming the club's third head coach of the season. He has no injury or suspension worries for this game.

Barcelona finished as first in Group H thanks to the superior H2H record. The Blaugrana had 12 points from six matches, same as Porto. Nevertheless, Barca beat Porto twice - home and away, so they will were in the group of favorites. Barcelona will have the home advantage in the second leg, but it is not a big advantage in the modern football. However, Barcelona are inconsistent this season and they are not only out of title race, but also out of the Copa del Rey, while lost to Real Madrid in the Super Cup. Coach Xavi came under big pressure, so he announced his departure at the end of the season. Of course, if he is not removed any earlier. Xavi also has some injury issues ahead of the trip to Italy. He is without Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto and Ferran Torres through injury, while Joao Felix remains doubtful due to an ankle problem. Vitor Roque, who came in January, could make his Champions League debut. Young Lamine Yamal will be aiming to become the first 16-year-old to score in the Champions League. Key striker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line, but he failed to net a goal in the last four Champions League appearances. Nevertheless, he is in fine domestic form at the moment having scored in his last three league games.

Napoli vs Barcelona Prediction:

The actual season is poor for both Napoli and Barcelona. However, there is a difference. While Napoli are on the 9th position with 36 points from 24 matches in Serie A, Barcelona are third in La Liga with 54 points. Furthermore, Barcelona remain unbeaten away from home, winning seven and drawing five on the road to date. Xavi's side have also found the back of the net in each of their last 20 matches. Napoli, meanwhile, failed to score on 6 of the last 10 matches across all competitions. I will give advantage to the guests.

Napoli vs Barcelona Pick: Barcelona (Draw No Bet) @ 1.81 with Pinnacle