We can expect an eventful night of European football as we head into the UEFA Champions League knockout round second leg this week.
Bayern Munich have one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals after a 6-1 first leg demolition of Atalanta last Tuesday. The Germans have won eight of their last nine away games in the competition.
Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray also carry advantages from the first leg as they look to seal their places in the quarters.
We have a look at the matches set to highlight Wednesday night in the Champions League and offer our predicted outcomes.
Barcelona vs Newcastle – Wednesday, 8:45PM
Barca had to wait for a 96th minute Lamine Yamal penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park last week. This result snapped a four-game winning streak for the Catalans in their last five head-to-head encounters.
They followed that up with a resounding 5-2 victory against Sevilla in La Liga over the weekend, maintaining their stay at the top of the table.
Newcastle also were impressive at the weekend, stunning Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. With two defeats in their last five games, qualification here would definitely change the mood in Tyneside.
With home advantage, Barca are favored by the punters to grind out a win here and qualify for the quarters of the competition.
Prediction – Barcelona to win – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Bayern Munich vs Atalanta – Wednesday, 11PM
With a five-goal advantage heading into the second leg at home, Bayern will already feel like they have one foot in the quarters. Either Manchester City or Real Madrid will be waiting for a blockbuster two-legged tie.
Bayern failed to win at the weekend, settling for a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen and are expected to bounce back to winning ways here.
Following the heaviest defeat for an Italian side in the knockout round, Atalanta need nothing short of a miracle if they are to turn this around. Atalanta have not managed a single win in their last five matches – losing twice in that run.
The 6-1 first leg defeat was the first competitive match between these two sides. Bayern are favorites to win convincingly at home to the extend their exemplary European form.
Prediction – Bayern Munich to win – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Liverpool vs Galatasaray – Wednesday, 11PM
The reds have all to do in the second leg as they fight to come back from a slim 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the first leg. They followed this up with a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
With two games without victory, the pressure on Arne Slot increases as the fans desperately expect a spot in the quarterfinals. Liverpool have not enjoyed success against their Turkish opposition, losing four of the last five matches played against them.
Galatasaray come into the game on a five-match winning streak after yet another convincing 3-0 win against Basaksehir at the weekend. They have also won their last two away matches prior to this one.
Prediction – Liverpool to win or draw (1X) – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid – Wednesday, 11PM
Spurs will not be full of confidence heading into this clash, with only four out of 51 teams turning around a three-goal deficit to qualify for the quarters in the history of the competition. After a 5-2 first leg defeat, Tottenham are staring yet another exit in the face to add onto their already troubled season.
Atletico set a personal record for most goals in a single Champions League campaign (29) after that thrilling victory. The La Liga side have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, losing just once.
Tottenham have never beaten Atletico Madrid before – losing both games they have played against each other. The hosts are without a win in their last eight games – losing six times in that run.
Spurs are expected to score at least a goal in the game but a win is rather unlikely for Igor Tudor’s side.
Prediction – Over 2.5 goals – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!