The UEFA Champions League round of 16 at CBS All Access continues on Wednesday with the first two remaining hands that, like Atalanta, host Real Madrid in Bergamo, while Manchester City travel to Romania to face Borussia Monchengladbach . Atalanta and Manchester City are seen as favorites by bettors who enter the competition, but both Real Madrid and Gladbach hope to get the first leg twists to put themselves in a position to advance the second leg next month. The return stages are set for Tuesday, March 16.
So, who will draw the first blood in the round of 16? Our football experts at CBS Sports chose below. You can follow all the action on CBS All Access.
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Atalanta v Real Madrid
Time: Wednesday, 3:00 pm Eastern Time (CBS All Access)
Atalanta +140; Draw +250; Real Madrid +185 (odds via William Hill Sportsbook)
Rongen’s opinion: With Papu Gomez no longer on the team, it is difficult to bet on Atalanta against an inconsistent but still very dangerous team from Real Madrid. To choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Romano’s opinion: Atalanta’s speed can create serious problems, but a draw with the two teams scoring looks like a good result for Zinedine Zidane’s team. To choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Echegaray’s opinion: Colombian duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata are very dynamic not to make things happen in this one. I also think Gian Piero Gasperini will be ready for this, trying to prove to the Champions League audience that they are more than just Papu Gomez. Muriel in particular has been fantastic and when he is playing, he cannot be played. I think Real Madrid’s bottom line will simply have difficulties. Let’s not forget the overwhelming amount of injuries that Zinedine Zidane is dealing with. From Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo to Alvaro Odriozola and Eder Militao, Los Blancos are just skinny … and the last thing you want to face is a hungry Atalanta. To choose: Atalanta 3, Real Madrid 1
West’s opinion: The rumors of Atalanta’s death are greatly exaggerated. Papu Gomez was a huge defeat, but Atalanta proved it is no joke, even without him, and the 4-2 victory over Napoli at the weekend was a big statement. I see them taking Real Madrid to the edge. To choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Johnson’s opinion: I’m going to go on a wild four-goal affair, perhaps more out of hope than anything else. Few European teams can rival Atalanta in terms of excitement, while Real is not the beast it once was on the continental stage. I will seek a fun tie that will keep you alive in the second leg. To choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
Benge’s opinion: There is no logic or justification behind this choice, except for one simple fact: I spent a lot of this season writing an obituary for a Real Madrid team that will not be dead. I know that the defense seems worn out, that they will miss Karim Benzema beyond measure and that I would not particularly like to count on Mariano to lead the line in a Champions League tie. But under these circumstances, you just can’t help but wait for midfield veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to get on the ball and start running the game, strangling Atalanta’s life. To choose: Atalanta 0, Real Madrid 1
Gonzalez’s review: Tons of goals, weak defense and nothing decided after the first leg. Despite not having Karim Benzema, Real Madrid find goals when they need it most. To choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
Herrera’s review: Real Madrid will not have the services of striker Karim Benzema, along with several other important players due to injuries. Atalanta’s offensive form has reached a high level that will be difficult for Real’s defense to cope with. To choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 1
Goodman’s review: Real Madrid are increasingly relying on a chance to play with Luca Modric and Toni Kroos in midfield, which leaves them wide open defensively, especially with Sergio Ramos sidelined. Atalanta can take advantage of this with its cluttered style, up and down. They will also be exposed by Madrid and Karim Benzema in turn. To choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
So, who should you bet on in the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atalanta? And where is the full stake? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets for the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 16,900 for $ 100 bettors since the 2017-18 season!
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City
Time: Wednesday, 3:00 pm Eastern Time (CBS All Access)
Monchengladbach +800; Draw +430; City -300 (odds via William Hill Sportsbook)
Most recent odds:
Manchester -1.5
Rongen’s opinion: As long as Pep Guardiola doesn’t mess with the team too much, I bet City will be victorious. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Romano’s opinion: Marco Rose has already announced that he will leave at the end of the season, but most of all Man City is probably the best team in the world right now. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Echegaray’s opinion: Man City are the best team in Europe at the moment and any opponent will have a hard time getting anything. What is scary for everyone looking to get something against Pep Guardiola’s team is that the Premier League team is doing it on both sides. Offensively, they will always deliver. They just have a lot of firepower, and now with Kevin De Bruyne back, they’re too much to handle. But it is defensively where Man City has really improved. Only 15 goals conceded in the Premier League and Champions League group stage? One goal. Gladbach is also in a bad time. He hasn’t won a game in the last three and is nowhere near the Champions League spot. Not to mention that their coach Marco Rose is leaving for Borussia Dortmund this summer, so where will the motivation come from? It is a difficult task for the Bundesliga team, which will be welcomed by Guardiola, who is finally looking to win the tournament with the club. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
West’s opinion: Die Fohlen did not win a match outside of DFB Pokal in February. Manchester City has been unstoppable. I hope Gladbach will have a decent fight, but City will have a lot for them. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Johnson’s opinion: As much as I loved that Die Fohlen was a surprise, I think Pep Guardiola’s men will be very strong here. I see the hosts scoring, but the visitors are dominating and putting themselves in a strong position before the second lap. To choose: Monchengladbach 1, Manchester City 3
Benge’s opinion: Pep Guardiola’s team is the most versatile, ingenious and surprising team in Europe. Gladbach cannot buy a victory now and is offering all of Homer Simpson’s attack power. Unfortunately for Marco Rose, they are about to face Drederick Tatum. This is a paddle. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Gonzalez’s review: No team is playing better than Manchester City in the world, and after failing to produce the number of goals expected against Arsenal on Sunday, they demolish an inconsistent Gladbach. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Herrera’s review: Man City have been in incredible shape as they reach the round of 16, while Gladbach faltered in the Bundesliga game after leaving the group stage. Look for Man City to set the pace early. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Goodman’s review: The city’s defensive steamroller continues. City are the best team in Europe at the moment and the best at strangling teams defensively. Gladbach is a creative offensive team, whose disciplined structure allows them to create good opportunities without compromising numbers for the future, breaking quickly with intelligent and innovative movements. City will be waiting, however, as their own innovative system, mostly without attackers, allows them to keep numbers in reserve to prevent such an approach. To choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
So who should you bet on in the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach? And where is the full stake? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets for the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 16,900 for $ 100 bettors since the 2017-18 season!
Thank you for checking us out and good luck with your choices!