2011/12 Champions League Tips & Review 14.02.2012 & 15.02.2012

The last 16 teams left in this season’s Champions League begin their first leg games on Valentines Day, February 14^th. The first leg matches are spread over two weeks, we then have a week break before the second legs take place. Some very interesting ties were thrown up in the draw and the pick of the first round of games is definitely the encounter between AC Milan and Arsenal.

Here are our top tips from Jamie Currie for the first leg matches on Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th February 2012.

Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Tuesday 14th February 2012, Last 16, Leg 1, KO 19:45

While Barcelona are the ridiculously short priced 1/16 favourites with William Hill to qualify for the next stage of the competition, this first leg will be no walk in the park for the reining champions. Bayer Leverkusen qualified in second place behind Chelsea in Group E but were extremely impressive on home soil, winning all three of their home games.

While Barcelona’s qualifying form was equally impressive, they certainly looked more vulnerable away from the Nou Camp and it’s also their away form in La Liga that has likely cost them that domestic trophy this season. While I still feel Barca will progress over the two legs, Leverkusen could well force a draw at the BayArena.

Best Bet: The Draw @ 7/2 with bet365

Full Betting Odds
Lyon v Apoel Nicosia
Tuesday 14th February 2012, Last 16, Leg 1, KO 19:45

Here is another last 16 match I feel that the bookies may have got slightly wrong as far as the strength of the favourite is concerned. There is no doubting Lyon’s quality and the French side pulled off a massive shock when scoring enough goals in their final Group D match too send Ajax crashing out of the competition. The Dutch side looked to have second place and qualification sewn up but Lyon scored six second half goals at Dinamo Zagreb to progress.

That result should give Remi Garde’s men a huge amount of confidence going into the knockout stage. Apoel Nicosia were the surprise package of this season’s Champions League during the group stage of the competition and it would be no surprise to see the Greek side progress to the quarter finals. While I’d imagine Lyon will have too much for Apoel at the Stade de Gerland, they will face a very difficult second leg in Greece.

Best Bet: Lyon to win 2-0 @ 11/2 with Paddy Power

Full Betting Odds
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
Wednesday 15th February 2012, Last 16, Leg 1, KO 17:00

The first of the Wednesday night matches sees Russian side Zenit St Petersburg playing host to Benfica of Portugal. Both sides look fairly well matched and as the betting suggests, this could well be a very close encounter. After a less than inspiring start to their Champions League campaign, Zenit actually managed to finish level on points with Group G winners Apoel Nicosia.

They managed to avoid defeat at home during the group stage and are a seriously formidable test for any side at the Petrovsky Stadium. Having home advantage in the first leg could work out very well for the Russians. Benfica were the winners of Group C and dumped last year’s Champions League finalists Manchester United out of the competition. The fans appear to have mixed opinions of manager Jorge Jesus but they will no doubt be delighted to have made it to the second phase of the Champions League and last season’s Primeira Liga runner’s up are sure to give Zenit something to think about.

Best Bet: The Draw @ 9/4 with bet365

Full Betting Odds
AC Milan v Arsenal
Wednesday 15th February 2012, Last 16, Leg 1, KO 19:45

A real mouthwatering tie in prospect here with two sides that have underachieved in recent years but are still two of the biggest clubs in European football. AC Milan cruised through the group stages this time around and really held their own in two games against the mighty Barcelona.

Last season’s Serie A champions are once again doing the business on the domestic front but Massimiliano Allegri’s side would do well to remember it was another North London side in the shape of Tottenham that put them out of this competition last season. Arsenal have been out of sorts in the Premier League in recent weeks and look like they are going to seriously struggle to qualify for next season’s Champions League as things stand.

Winning this competition would obviously solve that problem, but the Gunners look a long way short of being able to achieve that. It’s a real toss up as to who will qualify for the quarter finals between these two teams, but I’d have to side with Milan at the San Siro.

Best Bet: Home Win @ Evs with William Hill

Full Betting Odds