Champions League Round of 16 Day 2: Match Preview, Prediction and Odds
Published February 15, 2017 by Sol FH
After a wild night in the Champions League, day 2 kicks-off at 19:45 GMT with Real Madrid vs Napoli and Bayern Munich vs Arsenal.
What a night we were treated to yesterday in the Champions League Round of 16. Bettors could not have asked for a better scenario, at least those that bet with both underdogs. Barcelona was thrashed by PSG 4-0 in their first leg and Dortmund lost to Benfica 1-0. Tonight, we are treated to four more of the best teams on earth and if last night's outcomes are any indication of what could happen tonight, bettors could stand to make a nice payday.
Real Madrid vs Napoli
Real Madrid got some good news yesterday, as Cristiano Ronaldo will be included in the roster after recovering from a knock he received in Saturday's win over Osasuna. Unfortunately, Gareth Bale is out with an ankle injury and will not play tonight at the Bernabeu. Napoli is coming to Madrid with a completely fit squad getting Striker Arkadiusz Milik has made trip, as has Defender Lorenzo Tonelli after not having played in close to a month.
Real Madrid are shooting for their seventh Champions League quarter-finals in a row, but Zinedane Zidane is weary of Napoli and knows not to take them lightly. "You can't win a knockout tie in one match," he said. "We're going step by step and game by game," stated Zidane.
Napoli have not lost a match in all of their 18 since October and poise quite a threat to Real, but the Bernabeu is an unforgiving stadium and they have an uphill battle to win tonight.
Bet365 Sports Betting Odds
Real Madrid are huge favorites with bet365 Sports posting their winning odds in their favor at 1.55, while Napoli are at 6.00 and a draw at 4.60.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
The highlight of the night. Any other day of the week and this match would be an incredible final, but we get to see it in the Round of 16. Bayern are just about indestructible at home, but if anyone can break in and win, it would be Arsenal. The Gunners travel to Allianz tonight with healthy squad and will need every one of their weapons on board to defeat Bayern.
Arsene Wenger has decided to stick with goalkeeper David Ospina instead of the experience of Petr Cech. The sole starter out for Arsenal is Lucas Perez, out with a hamstring injury. Reports also suggest that Wenger may sit Mesut Ozil tonight due to poor form. The German striker has not put the ball in the net since December 10 and Wenger needs goals in this leg.
Bayern are such a strong squad and they are huge favorites to win tonight. Odds at bet365 Sports are in their favor at 1.50, while the Gunners are in a rare underdog position at 7.00 and a draw at 4.60.
Bet365 Sports is offering their attractive Euro Soccer Bonus in which bettors can earn a bonus of 100% on pre-match accumulators up to a jaw-dropping £100,000.
