Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
The climactic fixtures of some of the Champions League’s Last 16 double-headers take place later this week, when several of Europe’s biggest and best teams lock horns for a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
On Tuesday, Manchester City are favourites to complete the formalities against German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, though the tie between Real Madrid and Atalanta still stands on a knife-edge ahead of their rematch in Spain.
Ahead of the action, we’ve pulled together some handy information for those of you planning to put a bet builder or same-game multi together before kick-off.
We’ll go through some of the most popular markets in bet builders and give you tips for maximising the value out of them, and we’ll finish off with multi-part tips for each fixture from Betfair’s #OddsOnThat!
Don’t forget to check out our Champions League predictions for some more analysis and free betting tips.
Champions League bet builder guide
Match Result
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Man City have won an incredible 23 of their last 24 games in all competitions, and the Citizens were a class above Gladbach when the teams met in Germany last month.
Verdict: Manchester City to win
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Real Madrid haven’t won any of their last four Champions League knockout ties at home, while Atalanta have won each of their last five away contests in the competition. La Dea could spring a surprise at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Verdict: Atlanta double chance
Both teams to score
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six Champions League fixtures, and the Citizens warmed up for their date with Gladbach by shutting out Fulham at the weekend. Expect Pep Guardiola’s team to be in complete control in Tuesday’s do-over.
Verdict: Both teams to score – no
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
The first-leg between Real Madrid and Atalanta in Bergamo was remarkably tight, and with just a single goal separating the sides ahead of their rematch, Tuesday’s second-leg promises to be just as keenly contested.
Verdict: Both teams to score – no
Over/under goals
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Three of Man City’s last four Champions League fixtures produced under 2.5 goals, and with the Citizens in total command ahead of their second-leg against Gladbach, another professional performance with a low-scoring finish could be in the offing.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Atalanta’s first-leg encounter with Real Madrid failed to live up to its big pre-match billing, and with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals on the line, the return fixture between the teams in Spain could be another battle for inches.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals
Goalscorer markets
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Gabriel Jesus has scored four times in his last five appearances for Manchester City, and the technically gifted Brazilian’s haul including an effort against Gladbach last month. The in-form forward looks a prime candidate to maintain his streak at the German’s expense again this week.
Verdict: Gabriel Jesus to score anytime
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Colombian attacker Luis Muriel has hit a rich vein of form, notching two goals and three assists in his last five starts for Atalanta, and with his touch in the final third looking sharp, he could be the man to unlock Real Madrid’s defence.
Verdict: Luis Muriel to score anytime
Shots on target
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Phil Foden hasn’t missed a single Champions League match for Man City this season, and Pep Guardiola seems to value the schemer’s guile on the continental stage. Foden is averaging 1.0 shots on target per appearance in the competition this term, and he can maintain that strike rate against Gladbach.
Verdict: Phil Foden 1+ shots on target
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Veteran striker Karim Benzema is still the star attraction in Real’s frontline, and the 33-year-old has been averaging 2.0 shots on target per Champions League contest in 2020/21. Benzema remains the focal point in Los Blancos’ side, so expect him to run up another high attempts tally against Atalanta.
Verdict: Karim Benzema 2+ shots on target
Bookings
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Zero cards were shown and just 11 fouls were committed by the teams combined when Gladbach and City faced off last month, and the evidence from that first encounter suggests the officials are in for another quiet evening in Tuesday’s second-leg.
Verdict: Under 2.5 cards
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Four players were carded when Real Madrid and Atalanta met last month, though one of the players’ booked that evening, Casemiro, will be out for the second-leg after the serial offender was suspended following an accumulation of bookings. With Real’s hatchetman out, expect the card count to be lower.
Verdict: Under 3.5 cards
Player cards
Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach defender Stefaan Lainer was booked in two of his last three Champions League appearances, and the 28-year-old visibly struggled with the step up in quality from Bundesliga to continental football. Lainer should have a heavy workload to get through against City, and he could land himself in trouble with the officials again.
Verdict:: Stefan Lainer to be booked
Real Madrid vs Atalanta
Hard-hitting Argentinean defender Cristian Romero has been booked a massive 12 times in 30 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta, and the 22-year-old is expected to throw his weight around against Real Madrid’s expensively assembled forward line again this week. Nine of Romero’s cautions were picked up inside his last 18 appearances, and the old-school centre-half could add to his growing tally in Spain.
Verdict: Cristian Romero to be booked
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