Champions League: Last-Sixteen (Second Legs)

Tuesday, 9^th March

19:45 GMT – Arsenal V FC Porto (1-2)

19:45 GMT – Fiorentina V Bayern Munich (1-2)

Wednesday, 10^th March

19:45 GMT – Manchester United V AC Milan (3-2)

19:45 GMT – Real Madrid V Lyon (0-1)

Matt’s Bets

Nicklas Bendtner Anytime Scorer @ 2.88 Coral (WON!)

With Arsenal lacking forward impotence, Bendtner will be a certain starter as Arsenal take to the Emirates looking for the goals needed to restore parity. The Danish international looks the ideal candidate to open the scoring at 11/2 with Coral, but we’ve been a little more reserved and instead plumped on Arsenal’s donkey of last Saturday being their Tuesday night hero. Bendtner missed a whole host of chances in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley, where Bendtner literally could of bagged two hat-tricks. However, while his lacklustre finishing may have deterred some, the fact he got into such glorious goalscoring opportunities impressed us and we feel it was just a bad day at the office for the Danish international on Saturday, and were the Gunners to hand yet more chances on plate for him this Tuesday, we’re confident he won’t be as wasteful.

Fiorentina Draw No Bet @ 2.05 bWin (WON!)

After a valiant display in Munich, Fiorentina will be hoping for more from the return leg back home in Florence. The Italians frustrated their German opponents in the first leg, with Bayern barely troubling Sebastien Frey in the Fiorentina goal with a decent effort. Italian sides know how to build from the defence up and I’m expecting a clinical performance from Viola in a leg they have to win if they are to progress. Defeat would spell the end, and while victory would probably be enough, unless it’s a high-scoring narrow one, a draw might also suffice if it finishes 1-1. Considering the Italians will probably look to sit on any sort of lead, if and when they get it, the draw could be a viable outcome. However, we wouldn’t discourage anyone from backing Fiorentina to win this home encounter outright so, as to play a tad safe, Fiorentina DNB is is our bet.

AC Milan to Score 3 of More @ 10/1 PaddyPower (LOST!)

Milan know full well they need goals and we expect the away side to sprint out of the blocks in order to not only take the lead but to also avoid an early setback as conceding early would be catastrophic for them, if not deadly. Their forward play in the first leg deserved more than just the two goals but they will need plenty of the same attacking vigour at Old Trafford if they are to pull off one of the best comebacks in recent years. Leonardo has the players at his disposal to score a sufficient amount of goals, most of which actually look stunning bets to score on the night, but we feel a collective performance is needed from Milan if they are to overhaul United’s domineering aggregate lead. Three goals from Milan would make for one enthralling encounter, so while they remain capable of such a feat we will take our chances on them doing so at what we consider immense value.

Lyon to Score 2 or More @ 9/2 PaddyPower (LOST!)

If we’re completely honest, we are more confident in Lyon scoring just the one than going that extra mile and shocking the footballing world with two goals at the Bernabeu, but it’s certainly a no-hoper bet. In fact, we feel it’s not beyond the realms of possibility as Lyon can be lethal on the counter, while their strikes from long range have also been known to rifle into the net. With Madrid looking to attacking at every given opportunity, Lyon will instead aim to absorb the Madrid attacks and return the favour with some quick-fire breaks. It’s been an efficient tactic for the French side down the years and we feel it could prove to be the ‘real’ deal in Madrid, especially as they now posses some more clinical and composed finishers up front, none more so than Lisandro Lopez. Given half-a-chance, Lopez will score, while if Madrid do overcommit, which is a certainty if you ask me, Lyon are more than capable of catching the Madrid defence out.

I wish you the best of luck, Matt.