Hi gang! I’ve written a few words on the exciting games coming up this week. Read through them and, if you like my tips, back them here.
Chelsea 1 v 2 Bayern Munich – Tuesday 25 February – Champions League – Over 2.5 Goals (1.60)
This is a fixture of which Frank Lampard will have fond memories after Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the final in 2012. His side picked up a much-needed win over Tottenham on Saturday, but they’ve only won five of their last ten games at Stamford Bridge. Bayern had a perfect record in the group stages and scored 24 goals (in contrast, Chelsea won just three of their six games). The German giants have won six of their seven games so far in 2020 and haven’t lost any of their last 12 away games in the Champions League. I’m going for an Away Win.
Napoli 1 v 1 Barcelona – Tuesday 25 February – Champions League – Double Chance Napoli (1.65)
This is an interesting game. Both teams are in form with four wins in their last five games. Napoli are unbeaten in the Champions League so far this season, despite having faced Liverpool twice. Lionel Messi scored four times as Barca thrashed Eibar 5-0 on Saturday but his side’s away form is a cause for concern. They’ve only had two wins in their last five away games, which came against Ibiza and Real Betis. They’ve also lost six of their last ten away games in the Champions League knockout stages, winning twice. I’m backing a Draw.
Real Madrid 1 v 1 Manchester City – Wednesday 26 February – Champions League – Both Teams to Score (1.50)
The big news is that Eden Hazard will miss this game after he picked up an injury in Real Madrid’s defeat at Levante on Saturday. That result means that Real have only won two of their last five games. City struggled to beat Leicester on Saturday and missed yet another penalty. They have won three of their last five games but have famously found it difficult to navigate the Champions League knockout stages. They have only won three of their last ten away games in the knockout stages, while Zinedine Zidane has never lost a Champions League tie over two legs. I see a Draw here.
Manchester United 2 v 0 Brugge – Thursday 27 February – Europa League – Manchester United Win (1.45)
The first leg of this tie finished 1-1 in Belgium but United followed that with a 3-0 win over Watford that will be a huge boost to their confidence. They’re now unbeaten in their last six games and I think that home advantage will play a huge part. The Red Devils have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five games at Old Trafford and have won eight of their last ten Europa League games there. To be fair to Brugge, they are unbeaten in ten games so far in 2020 but this will be their hardest match yet. I think it’ll be a Home Win.
RB Salzburg 2 v 1 Eintracht Frankfurt – Thursday 27 February – Europa League – Both Teams to Score (1.40)
I can’t see RB Salzburg turning this tie around after they lost the first leg 4-1 last week. Eintracht Frankfurt realistically only need a single goal to put it to bed, and Salzburg have conceded in all of their seven European games this season. The hosts have lost plenty of firepower following the departure of Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino and they haven’t won any of their last three games. Frankfurt reached the semi-finals last year but so far this season have only kept two clean sheets away from home. Both Teams to Score looks a good bet here.