Champions League Last 16 Preview: Big Night in Store at the Bernabeu

The Champions League is back midweek and I can’t wait for the European action to return.

As always, I’ve shared my thoughts on the matches exclusively with BetVictor.

Basel v Manchester City

Basel have never gone further in the competition than the round of the last 16 and I expect City to have one foot in the quarterfinal after their midweek tie at St Jacob Park. City have only won one of their six away games in the UCL knock-out stages and are yet to keep a clean sheet in those half a dozen ties, but they are likely to have too much class and goals for the Swiss side.

Basel will take heart from the fact they have won four of their last five home Champions League games against English sides, but City are slowly coming to terms with the competition and, having reached the semi-final last term, will be looking to improve on that record this spring.

Tip:

City to win and both teams to score at

Juventus v Tottenham

Juve are unbeaten in their last 22 home UCL games and kept nine clean sheets in their last 14 UCL games at the Juventus Stadium. Spurs, however, were one of only four teams unbeaten in the Group stages and I feel they can score in Turin.

The number of goals #Juve have conceded in each of their last 15 games in all competitions:

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0

A tough test for #THFC on Tuesday in the #UCL…#JuveTottenham pic.twitter.com/VJCz3XySPY

— betvictor (@BetVictor) February 12, 2018

Harry Kane has been directly involved in over half of Spurs’ goals in the competition so far this term with six goals and two assists from the team’s 15 goals.

This really is an evenly balanced tie and I expect to see both sides find the back of the net in what promises to be a fascinating game.

Tip:

Both teams to score at

Porto v Liverpool

Liverpool are back where they belong in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2008/09 season. The Reds are unbeaten in four previous ties against the Portuguese champions and I think they will make it five on Wednesday.

Liverpool scored 23 goals in their six group games but I expect Porto to play a cagey game in the hope of taking a clean sheet back to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are a confident selection to qualify for the last eight, but it would not surprise me if they had to settle for a draw in the first leg midweek.

Tip:

Game to finish in a draw at

Real Madrid v PSG

Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals in the last seven seasons and last year they became the first side to lift the Trophy since 2010 who had not finished top of their group in qualifying for the knockout stages.

This is, arguably, the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the last 16 but I expect the Whites to take a lead back to Paris, given the French side have lost four of their last six games on the road in the Champions League.

I note Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick at the weekend and this Madrid side know how to peak at the right time – I expect to see a home win.

Tip:

Real Madrid to win at

My midweek double:

Manchester City and Real Madrid both to win at