We take a look at the two Champions League last 16 second leg fixtures taking place on Tuesday and suggest a bet in each of them.
Manchester City are now trading as 2/1 favourites in the Champions League ahead of Liverpool at 7/2, Bayern Munich 4/1, Real Madrid at 8/1 and you can get 10/1 Chelsea and 16/1 and better the balance.
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AJAX v BENFICA
Ajax came through the group stages strongly with 6 wins from 6, but they were held to a 2-2 draw away at Benfica in the first leg, a game where they started as 7/10 favourites. There have been plenty of goals in Ajax European matches with 6 of their 7 games delivering profits for over 2.5 goal backers and in their last 4 matches both teams have found the back of the net.
Ajax beat Cambuur 3-2 on the road on the weekend. They have only lost 1 of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
Benfica have had a much tougher route to this point having to come through the qualification stages, but they caused a big upset when they managed to progress to the last 16 despite being in the group of Barcelona and Bayern Munich. They haven't managed to win on the road and have had 3 draws and a loss, that loss being a 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Benfica were home in the League on the weekend drawing 1-1 with Vizela and they are unbeaten in their last 7 matches in all competitions.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Ajax 4/9
Draw 9/2
Benfica 11/2
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Ajax (-1.5) goals at 1/1
It is a bit surprising that Ajax didn’t take the first leg leading into the encounter, but they are playing some excellent football and take on a Benfica side that I think is going to struggle to hold them.
MANCHESTER UNITED v ATLETICO MADRID
These sides drew 1-1 in Madrid in the first fixture, a game where the bookmakers were struggling to separate the sides.
Manchester United are coming off a 3-2 home victory against Tottenham in the League and in the group stages of the Champions League they won 2 and drew 1 of their home matches. Both teams have found the net in 6 of the 7 Manchester United European matches this season.
Atletico Madrid had some strong away form in the group stages winning 2 and losing 1 of their away matches with the defeat coming to Liverpool and victories over Porto and AC Milan. They are in good form domestically and beat Cadiz CF 2-1 at home on the weekend, their 4th successive League victory.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Manchester United 12/10
Draw 9/4
Atletico Madrid 26/10
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score, YES, at 1/1
As mentioned above this has been a common result in Manchester United matches and this bet would also have arrived in the majority of the Atletico Madrid European matches this season. United are well capable of scoring goals against Madrid who are likely to leak at least one at the back as well.
Note: All prices correct at time of writing but are subject to change
