Free Football Champions League Predictions for Tuesday, March 17th
Sporting vs Bodo/Glimt
The Norwegians continue to make history. A week ago, they confidently defeated Sporting at home with a score of 3:0, making a significant claim for a place in the quarterfinals. Thus, Bodo/Glimt became the sixth team outside the top-5 leagues to win five consecutive matches in the Champions League. Will the winning streak of these sensational debutants continue?
We believe that at “Jose Alvalade” the picture will be quite different. Glimt will simplify their game, abandoning short plays, while Sporting will apply strong pressure and, if not complete a comeback, at least win at home. The Portuguese Football Federation accommodated the “Lions” by rescheduling a Primeira match, giving them a whole week to prepare for the return leg. At home, Rui Borges' protégés are very strong, as evidenced by their 16-match winning streak, so nothing is decided in this tie yet.
Match Prediction for Sporting vs Bodo/Glimt: Sporting to Win
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
In the next tie, the hosts also need a miracle. Man City was thrashed at the “Bernabeu” with a score of 0:3 despite being the favorites, and now their probability of advancing to the quarterfinals is estimated at 13.44%. Of course, at the “Etihad,” Pep Guardiola's men can turn the tide of the encounter, but a lot needs to go right. The “Citizens” have only won one of their last four matches, while Real is on a three-match winning streak, unfazed by injuries. Kylian Mbappe is unlikely to play again. But will his participation be necessary?
Given the current form of the “Los Blancos” and the fact that Madrid has scored in 4 of their last 5 matches at the “Etihad,” we can expect both teams to score. Manchester will have to open up from the start – to sense the comeback, they need an early goal. And these are ideal conditions for Vinicius and company, who will be ready to punish the hosts for the slightest mistake.
Match Prediction for Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Chelsea vs PSG
The three-goal difference continues to haunt us. At “Stamford Bridge,” the same scenario, but the probability of a comeback is even lower than in the previous two cases. Opta's supercomputer gives only a 5.91% chance for Liam Rosenior's team to advance to the quarterfinals. And yet, in Paris, the “Blues” looked decent, but overly bold play at the end and individual mistakes combined with the brilliance of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia led to an undeserved thrashing.
We think the return match will be, if not the same, then close in brightness to the first. Both teams play their own game, use man-to-man marking in pressing, and make defensive errors. Chelsea must at least try to come back, they have nothing to lose, so playing cautiously in defense with such a score makes no sense.
Match Prediction for Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain: Total Goals Over 3.5
Arsenal vs Bayer
Finally, we have a pair where the score is level after the first leg. However, it's not to say that there's more intrigue here than in the previous three matches. Arsenal, despite a frankly weak performance in Leverkusen, managed to take away a draw, albeit with some questions for the referee. Mikel Arteta's team remains the main favorite for the Champions League, with their chances of securing a spot in the quarter-finals estimated at 78.95%.
The hosts have no more squad losses than Bayer, and an emotional victory over Everton (2:0) with a historic goal by 16-year-old Max Dauman adds even more confidence. Bayer has only one win in their last seven matches, whereas Arsenal has already won six consecutive home games, keeping a clean sheet in four of those. It's hard to even imagine what would need to happen for Kasper Hjulmand's team to succeed at the Emirates.
