The UEFA Champions League returns to action, Tuesday Feb 24, with the first leg of the Knockout Round of 16. There are 16 teams left in completion, with eight clubs playing Tuesday and the remaining eight playing Wednesday. Scheduled for Tuesdays matchups are Man United vs Inter Milan, Arsenal vs AS Roma, Athletico Madrid vs Porto and Lyon vs Barcelona. Get your UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Betting Odds in now at BetUS.com
Man United (+210) at Inter Milan (+140)
These two clubs have fantastic history in the competition and are both one of the favourites to win it this season, unfortunately one of them have to be knocked out. While Man United was struggling at the start of the EPL season, Inter Milan were in fine form with a big lead in Serie A competition. Since then United have got their form back, they aren’t conceding many goals and they are starting to score a few more. Man U finished in first place in Group E after going 2W-4D-0L, in their last ten EPL matches they are 9W-0D-1L where they’ve outscored their opponents 18-2. One of the biggest strengths that Man United have right now is that they aren’t conceding many goals, if you don’t concede then you don’t lose matches. Inter Milan finished in second place in Group B where they went 2W-2D-2L, in Series A they are in first place with a nine point lead over Juventus. In their last ten Series A matches they are 7W-2D-1L where they’ve outscored their opponents 19-10. One of Inter Milan’s strengths is that Coach Jose Mourinho does know how to win against Man United as proved by the head-to-head record of 6W-5D-0L. Another strength is the San Siro, Inter fans can make the stadium like a fiery cauldron which can intimidate the opposition no matter how good they are. They are 9-3 at the San Siro.
FC Porto (+275) at Athletico Madrid (EVEN)
Porto is a well-balanced and well-organized team that can go toe-to-toe with anybody. They've been very impressive in the Portuguese league this season, where they boast an unbeaten record stretching back to early November. Porto finished on top of Group G with a 4W-0D-2L record; they beat Arsenal, Dynamo Kiev and Fenerbahce. They are first place in the Portuguese standings with a 11W-3D-0L record. In their last ten club matches they are 6W-0D-4L where they’ve outscored their opponents 12-9. Atletico would appear to have the upper hand thanks to the presence of attacking stars such as Forlan, Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez. Athletico finished second in Group D where they went 3W-3D-0L and outscored their opponents 9-4. They are in seventh place in the Spanish Primera División, they are 3W-3D-4L in their last ten matches where they’ve outscored their opponents 15-14.
Barcelona (-105) at Lyon (+300)
Lyon is the big underdog going up against high powered offense of Barcelona, who have scored the most goals in UEFA competition this year and they haven't lost a Spanish league game since the opening week of the season last summer. When you have Lionel Messi, Sammuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry at your disposal, it shouldn't be too much of a concern. Barca are on top of the Spanish Primera División with a 19W-3D-2L record. They are 8W-1D-1L in their last ten matches where they’ve outscored their opponents 27-11. Lyon finished second in the Group F standings where they went 3W-2D-1L and outscored their opponents 14-10. They are in first place in the Ligue Un Standings with a 15W-7D-3L record. They are 6W-3D-1L in their last ten matches where they’ve outscored their opponents 16-7.
AS Roma (+300) at Arsenal (-105)
Two heavyweights of the European game who, by their own high standards, have underperformed this season do battle at Roma's Olympic Stadium. After an uncertain start, Roma comfortably topped Group A with a 4W-0D-2L record where they outscored their opponents 12-6. They are in sixth place in the Series A Staandings with a 13W-4D-8L record. The Italians will need to show some consistency if they are to overcome Arsenal's young guns. Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi will be heavily relied upon to pull the strings. Arsenal finished second in Group G with a 3W-2D-1L record where they outscored their opponents 9-8. They are in fifth place in the EPL Standings with a 12W-9D-5L record. They are 3W-7D-0L in their last ten games where they’ve outscored their opponents 10-6. On a bad note Arsenal has some real problems up front. Emmanuel Adebayor is out, and Eduardo da Silva has only recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff. Who does that leave but the unconvincing Nicklas Bendtner. The bigger issue, though, is the absence of Francesc Soler Fabregas. The Spaniard sublimely orchestrates the Arsenal attack from his midfield position, and without him, I think the Gunners will have a difficult time against the Italians.
UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Betting Odds
When: Tues, Feb 24, 2009 2:45 PM ET
Line: BetUS.com
Point-Spreads.com UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Betting Odds
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