Europe Champions League - Last 16 (2nd Leg)

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Bayern Munich vs Lazio Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Kim, Davies; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Tel, Muller, Musiala; Kane

Lazio:
Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni

The former Champions League winners Bayern Munich host Lazio at Allianz Arena, aiming to overturn the Biancocelesti's advantage. As You probably know, the Italian outfit won 1:0 the reverse fixture. Ciro Immobile's penalty gave the Biancocelesti a shock win over the favorites. Immobile scored from the penalty spot midway through the second half after Dayot Upamecano was sent off for a foul on Gustav Isaksen. The German Giants were unable to respond in an underwhelming display. The defeat was very painful and triggered some big decisions in the club. Coach Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season, as well as some players.

This is a match that could save the season for Bayern. The club who have won the Bundesliga for the past 11 seasons are in danger of ending this campaign without a trophy. First they suffered a 3:0 defeat to Red Bull Leipzig in the German Super Cup. Bayern are also out of the national cup having been stunned by third division Saarbrucken. Finally, Bayer Leverkusen have a 10-point advantage in Bundesliga and the Bavarians need a miracle to defend the title. That means the club will be fully focused on the Champions League. Another failure is simply not an option. But Tuchel has some injury and suspension worries. Sacha Boey, Kingsley Coman, Noussair Mazraoui and Bouna Sarr are definitely sidelined through injuries, while Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry are rated as doubtful due to groin and thigh injury respectively. Finally, Dayot Upamecano is suspended due to his red card in Italy.

Lazio won the first match at Olympico, but didn't impress at all. They had 39% possession, but scored from the penalty spot. Since then, the Biancocelesti have played four games in Serie A and lost three of them. Lazio beat Torino, but suffered defeats to Bologna, Fiorentina and Milan. As a result, they are outside the European spots and sit on the 9th place with 40 points, big 11 adrift of fourth-placed Bologna. What is worse, the last defeat was very frustrating as three players were sent off. Of course, they are eligible to play in Europe, but remain the fact that discipline is not at desired level. The away form is also a problem. Lazio have lost half of their away fixtures in Serie A this season. It is clear they will play a "catenaccio", but I am not sure they could stop Bayern in Munich. Coach Maurizio Sarri has most of his players available for this match, only Nicolo Rovella and Patric are rated as doubtful.

Bayern Munich vs Lazio Prediction:

Bayern Munich are in big crisis at the moment, though I think they will win this game. Even more, I expect to win with two-or-more goals, meaning they will qualify for the quarter-finals. There is a class difference between two sides. Bayern were clearly better team in the first match and Lazio won only due to Upemecano's mistake. The Baavarians now have the home advantage and this fact should not be underestimated. The full Allianz Arena will put the guests under big pressure. And most important, Bayern have a player able to make the difference with his quality and experience - Harry Kane. He has been directly involved in 19 goals from as many Champions League home games to date.

Bayern Munich vs Lazio Pick: Bayern Munich -1.5 AH @ 1.81 with Pinnacle

 

[spkutano]

Arsenal vs Porto Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Jesus

Porto:
Costa; Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson

Arsenal will try to secure a victory against Porto at the Emirates to avoid elimination from the Champions League. The Gunners were on the cusp of taking a goalless draw at Dragao, but narrowly lost in the finish of the match after Galeno scored a beautiful goal. Arteta's men have dominated possession with 65%, but failed to register a single shot on target in the game. They had plenty of set-piece opportunities (10-1 in corners), but lacked a precise finish. For only the second time on record Arsenal didn't have a shot on target in a Champions League fixture, previously failing in such a way against Barcelona at Camp Nou in March 2011.

However, the defeat in Portugal have no impact on domestic performances. Arsenal beat Brentford on Saturday thanks to an 86-th minute Havertz header. The victory saw Arsenal climbing to the top of the table for the first time since December. The Sunday's draw between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield means that the Gunners remain first on the table, with 10 games remaining. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, but a possible elimination in the Champions League will surely have a negative impact to the players confidence. Most of them are ready, but Gabriel Martinelli is rated as doubtful due to foot injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a major doubt too, while Jurrien Timber is still unavailable as he is recovering from an ACL injury.

Porto sit four points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon in domestic Primeira having played two more games. The title look out of their hands and the fans are disappointed. On Friday they beat Portimonense 3:0 and I believe the players confidence is higher. Coach Sergio Conceicao ask the maximum from his players and he was satisfied with the victory. He has some injury issues as he is still missing Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Marcano. They are both on the long way to recovery from ACL injuries. However, left-back Wendel, who suffered an injury which saw him substituted towards the end of the first leg, has recovered and will play. Gabriel Veron is also struggling with an Achilles injury. On the positive note, star striker Mehdi Taremi is expected to be involved after missing the first leg with a thigh concern. His partner in attack should be the club leading scorer Evanilson.

Arsenal vs Porto Prediction:

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao said something interesting after the first-leg victory: “Arsenal wanted to play... We wanted to win." Indeed, Arsenal had the possession, but Porto won. Now Arteta must prevent Arsenal suffering an 8th successive Champions League exit at the last-16 stage. The home advantage could make the difference in this match. The Gunners won all three of their group games with 12 goals scored and zero conceded. Arsenal beat 2:0 Sevilla, beat 4:0 PSV and beat 6:0 Lens. However, Porto are tough opponents and I think they are able to upset Raya. Evanilson and Taremi are good and experienced strikers and could find the back of the net. Porto managed to score on all three away matches in the group, including the visit to Barcelona. I expect an efficient match in London with goals on both sides.

Arsenal vs Porto Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 2.25 with Pinnacle

 

[spkutano]

Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Molina, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Lino; Saul, De Paul, Koke; Depay, Morata

Inter Milan:
Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez

Atletico Madrid will try to overturn a one-goal deficit, when they welcome Inter Milan to the Civitas Metropolitano (previously Wanda Metropolitano) for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Inter narrowly won the first match thanks to second-half goal scored by Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian forward replaced Marcus Thuram, who was injured just before the break. Inter were clearly the better side, while Atletico completely disappointed and they failed to register a single shot on target. According to many experts, Atletiko Madrid are in crisis, the biggest one under Simeone. Alvaro Morata entered the match as substitute after recovering from a knee injury but wasn't able to make impact.

As I already wrote above, Atletico Madrid are in big crisis. The last results are very bad. After the defeat in Italy the Rojiblancos have played four matches, three in Primera and one in Copa del Rey. Atletico lost two of them, suffering a 2:0 defeat to relegation-candidates Cadiz and 3:0 to Athletic Bilbao in the cup. A 2:2 draw with rock-bottom Almeria is also rated as poor result. To drop points against the weakest side in La Liga is simply unacceptable. Maybe the injury situation is a problem for Simeone, maybe the fatigue. Key player Antoine Griezmannis is struggling with an ankle injury, while Jose Gimenez is doubtful with a thigh injury. Thomas Lemar, Cesar Azpilicueta and Vitolo all remain sidelined. Gabriel Paulista and Stefan Savic are expected to start in the heart of the defense. A midfield triumvirate of Saul Niguez, Koke and Rodrigo De Paul will try to establish a supremacy in the match.

Inter Milan were successful in the reverse fixture as they managed to beat Atletico 1:0 at Stadio Meazza. But now they have a different task - not to lose at Metropolitano. If something could be evaluated as positive, that's the current form.. Inter have won 14 and drawn one of their last 15 matches in all competitions. On Sunday they beat Bologna, thanks to the lone goal scored by Yann Aurel Bisseck in the finish of the first half. Coach Simone Inzaghi opted to rest some of his key players, including the top scorer Lautaro Martinez. But Inter managed to continue the winning series and I believe the players confidence is very high. The Nerazzurri have four injured players - Arnautovic is out with a hamstring injury, while Carlos Augusto is struggling with a calf problem. Juan Cuadrado and Stefano Sensi remain in the treatment room.

Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan Prediction:

I expect a tight match. Inter have one-goal advantage from the first game and they will not risk too much. Atletico need a victory to keep their hopes alive, but they are in poor form. Simeone's men were unable to score against a mediocre side like Cadiz. Key players Griezmannis and Morata are not 100% ready, so I expect a low scoring match at Civitas Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.85 with Pinnacle