The Champions League is back. The last day 16 starts Tuesday at CBS All Access with the great confrontation Barcelona x PSG, while Liverpool also faces RB Leipzig. Now, this competition always has its fair share of setbacks. Just look at last season, where RB Leipzig and Lyon reached the semifinals, dazzling the football world in the process.
This season, we saw Shakhtar Donestsk double at Real Madrid, while Istanbul Basaksehir beat Manchester United.
Now, as teams enter a new level of importance with two legs to decide who moves on, which teams need to be on the alert? (All odds via Willam Hill Sportsbook)
You can stream all matches on the CBS All Access (soon to be renamed Paramount +) and selected matches will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. The May 29 final will be broadcast on CBS.
PSG (vs. Barcelona)
To advance to the quarterfinals: Barcelona: +100; PSG: -137
Lionel Messi and Barcelona are underdogs? 100 percent, but beware here on a potential turnaround. Barça has been so inconsistent and comes from a very poor performance against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semifinals, so where does anyone see a path to victory against a loaded PSG? Well, that changed with the news that Neymar is out of the first leg with an adductor injury – and Neymar’s injuries have contributed to PSG’s lack of success in the competition in recent years, in addition to the race to the final last summer.
PSG also showed great inconsistency, losing recently to Lorient and not even leading Ligue 1, where they are a strong favorite.
They are two teams with talent, although PSG have more, but they are also very inconsistent. PSG have already lost five games in Ligue 1 and, although Barça are doing well in the league, they haven’t convinced at all. On paper, PSG are the strongest team, but without Neymar, a possible first leg victory could be a great option for Barça to return to the French capital.
Atlético de Madrid (vs. Chelsea)
First leg: Atlético de Madrid: +160; draw +210; Chelsea: +190
This is all about the first step. Chelsea are one of the favorites to overtake the current League leader, but the Spaniards remain little favorites in the first leg, even though the match was moved from Atleti’s home to a neutral stadium in Bucharest. Although Atletico Madrid appears to be on the run with La Liga, and Chelsea fought to the point where Frank Lampard was fired and Thomas Tuchel was hired to replace him, appearances are deceiving. Since Tuchel signed, the Blues have not lost a single game, winning four of the last five in Monday’s clash with Newcastle.
The Blues have improved their possession, which has been instrumental in not giving up so many chances. In Lampard’s last 13 games at the helm, where the Blues have lost five of the last eight, they recorded 57.9 percent possession on average. They have conceded 12 goals in the last eight games.
Since Tuchel took over, Chelsea have improved their possession by more than 10 percent, averaging 68.45 percent on average and suffering only once. This possession of the ball, always improving, will be crucial against a team like Atlético that loves to press. Chelsea also improved on the pass and playing smart and keeping the ball on the ground can make all the difference against Atlético. This possession of the ball can help overcome what is sometimes an inconsistent bottom line in an attempt to recover Thiago Silva from injury.
Real Madrid (vs. Atalanta)
To advance to the quarterfinals: Atalanta: +163; Real Madird: -225
This is just about Real Madrid failing to be consistent, especially in this competition this season. The two losses to Shakhtar were impressive, as Real were defeated in most of the 180 minutes they faced the Ukrainians. Without Sergio Ramos, Real’s defense could be average while Nacho struggles to fit in alongside Raphael Varane. If Ramos can’t go, stay tuned, as Real are facing one of Europe’s best attacks on Atalanta.
The speed with which the Italian team advances, combined with the Real system, which makes space in the wings as their defenders advance, will probably cause Atlanta to receive its fair share of look. If they are remotely accurate in front of the goal, no one will be surprised to see the most successful team in the history of this competition being eliminated earlier.
What Champions League choices can you confidently make this week? And which favorites cannot guarantee a victory? Visit SportsLine now to see which spread, money line and up / down options offer the best value, all on the model that has increased by more than $ 8,900 since its SportsLine debut last year