European action continues this Wednesday with four exciting matchups set to take place. In this preview, we will focus on two pivotal first-leg play-off clashes as teams battle for a spot in the round of 16, offering insights along with betting suggestions for you to consider.
Before doing so, let’s take a quick glance at the latest outright odds. Liverpool lead the race as favourites at 4/1, with Arsenal and Barcelona close behind at 6/1. Defending champions Real Madrid are priced at 7/1, while the rest of the contenders sit at 8/1 or higher.
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FEYENOORD v AC MILAN – Click here to bet
Feyenoord are back in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 1984/85, but their journey to this stage has been marked by inconsistencies. They finished the group phase in 19th place with 13 points from eight matches, having beaten Bayern Munich 3-0 at home, only to suffer a surprising 6-1 defeat to Lille a week later on match day eight. That loss was part of a three-game losing streak across all competitions, thankfully they regained some much-needed momentum with a vital 3-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie on Saturday.
Domestically, Feyenoord sit 5th in the league, and with home advantage in this first leg, they will look to build on their strong record against Italian clubs, having lost just one of their last 11 such encounters at home in major European competitions. However, with a less-than-convincing record at home this season in the Champions League, (W2, D2), they will need to be at their best if they are to secure a positive result against a resurgent Milan outfit this week.
Meanwhile, AC Milan finished 13th in the group stage with 15 points from eight matches. Their path to the play-offs was made more complicated after a costly 2-1 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in the final round, a result that prevented them from securing an automatic spot in the round of 16. Domestically, the Rossoneri currently occupy 7th place in Serie A after a solid 2-0 away win over Empoli on Saturday.
Milan will be acutely aware of their struggles in Champions League knockout matches away from home. They have failed to win any of their last 11 such fixtures, drawing four and losing seven. Additionally, their recent record against Dutch opposition leaves much to be desired, with no victories in their last four encounters. However, despite those statistics, Sérgio Conceição’s men will look to draw inspiration from their rich European pedigree. Milan are a club with vast experience in high-pressure situations and will know the importance of setting themselves up for the second leg in Italy. Damage limitation in the first leg could be a crucial factor if they are to secure a place in the round of 16.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have met just twice in European competition, dating back to the 1969/70 season. Both teams secured a win apiece, with Milan claiming a 1-0 victory before Feyenoord responded with a 2-0 win in that campaign.
Betting
Feyenoord 2/1
Draw 26/10
AC Milan 13/10
Verdict
Feyenoord’s home advantage and Milan’s poor away record in knockout matches make this a rather intriguing encounter. While Milan’s experience could play a decisive role, Feyenoord’s resilience at De Kuip may prove to be the key to securing a positive first-leg result.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Total, Feyenoord/Draw and Over 1.5 at 1/1
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CELTIC v BAYERN MUNICH – Click here to bet
Celtic will be hoping to make a statement as they enter their first UEFA Champions League knockout tie since the 2012/13 campaign. However, history is certainly not in their favour, as the Hoops have never won a home leg at this stage of the competition. Their European form this season has also been inconsistent, finishing the league phase in 21st place with 12 points from eight matches. Their most recent outing in the competition saw them fall to a 4-2 defeat away to Aston Villa, further highlighting their struggles on the road, where they failed to pick up a single win in the Champions League this season.
Yet, Celtic’s home form in Europe has been their saving grace, as they secured 10 of their 12 points overall in this competition in Glasgow. That sort of resilience at Celtic Park will be crucial if Brendan Rodgers’ side are to stand a chance against powerhouse Bayern Munich. The Hoops will be brimming with confidence, however, having extended their domestic dominance with a commanding 5-0 victory over Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup this past weekend. That result marked back-to-back clean-sheet wins by five goals or more, reinforcing their stronghold at the top of the Scottish Premiership just three days prior with a dominant 6-0 victory over Dundee FC, extending their impressive lead to 13 points over nearest rivals, Rangers.
For Bayern Munich, this tie represents unfamiliar territory. The Bavarians had to settle for a play-off spot after a disappointing group stage campaign, finishing 12th with 15 points. A damaging 3-0 defeat away to Feyenoord on match day seven proved costly in their bid for automatic qualification, though they responded with a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in their final group game. However, their away form in the Champions League has been a concern, losing three of their four road fixtures this season. Another defeat here would mark their worst-ever tally of European away losses in a single season.
Despite their struggles in Europe, Vincent Kompany’s men remain dominant in the Bundesliga, holding an eight-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen after a comfortable 3-0 win against Werder Bremen last Friday. The Bavarians have won their last seven league games in a row, further reinforcing their domestic dominance. Additionally, Bayern’s strong record against Scottish opposition should give them added confidence this week, even as they head on the road in Europe. They remain unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Scottish sides in major European competitions (W9, D4), with their last defeat dating back to February 1989 against Hearts in the UEFA Cup.
Head-to-Head
Bayern Munich hold a dominant record over Celtic, having won three of their four meetings in Europe (W3, D1), including a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park in their most recent encounter during the 2017/18 group stage.
Betting
Celtic 6/1
Draw 9/2
Bayern Munich 37/100
Verdict
Celtic’s home form certainly makes them a dangerous proposition for the visitors, but Bayern’s superior quality and experience at this level should give them the edge. Expect a fiercely contested encounter with both teams likely to find the net, but ultimately, the German giants should come out on top.
Suggested Bet: Result and both Teams to Score, Bayern Munich and Yes at 29/20
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
