Champions League Round of 16

In the return of European competitions, the Champions League Round of 16 kicks off this midweek with four matches. Manchester City title defense of last season’s title continues on Tuesday as the English side heads to Denmark to take on FC Copenhagen. Real Madrid and RB Leipzig meet in Germany for the other game of the day.

On Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain hosts Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes, which starts at the same time as Bayern Munich at Lazio.

We’ll preview the rest of the first legs of the Champions League Round of 16 next week, but first, we have our best bets for this week’s action down below.

Champions League Round of 16 – Best Bets

Copenhagen vs. Manchester City – Over 3 (-109) BetRivers

If we’re honest, the Cityzens could cover this number by themselves. In fact, Pep  Guardiola’s team has scored at least three goals in all UCL games this season.

This was all without key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is now back in the lineup. With Erling Haaland, Julián Álvarez and De Bruyne all starting, I don’t see Copenhagen’s defense holding out City.

Since the winter break, the Danish club has played in five matches. Only one of those failed to have at least three goals.

In this tournament, Copenhagen’s home fixtures against Manchester United and Bayern Munich had at least three goals. I like for this to happen again on Tuesday night.

RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid – Over 3 Goals (+102) BetRivers

We like goals again in Germany, especially with the depleted backline for the visitors. In the match over the weekend, Madrid did not have a fit and available center-back.

This meant the Spanish giants were forced to play a defense of Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy.

Even if some center-backs return, Madrid has not been able to defend against top opposition this season. The three road games in the Champions League have averaged 4.33 goals, with all of them having at least three goals.

Meanwhile, matches away from home in La Liga against the top 4 have all had three or more goals.  This doesn’t include the recent cup games against Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, where this same play cashed in all three fixtures.

The one worry is the fact that teams can be more defensive in the first legs of the knockout rounds, but I just can’t pass up the value of these two matches to have goals.