Menu
Eintracht hosts Napoli at the Deutsche Bank Park Stadium for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Napoli qualified first in Group A ahead of Liverpool, Ajax, and Rangers with 15 points from 6 games. Eintracht finished second in Group D, 10 points behind Tottenham but ahead of Sporting and OL. The Azzurri are firmly at the top of the league, 15 points ahead of second-placed Inter. In the last round, there was a problem-free victory against Sassuolo (2-0); for Spalletti, there have been 5 consecutive victories in the last 5 games played. Napoli have the best attack and the best defense in Serie A; their race towards the Scudetto has been unstoppable since the first day.
Glasner’s Eintracht is back from the 2-0 victory against Werder Bremen and playing 24 hours after Napoli, a factor that could affect the tiredness of some players. The hosts are 6th in the Bundesliga, with Europe in their sights, and have the third-best attack in the league. Three changes for Spalletti compared to Sassuolo: Mario Rui for Olivera, Zielinski for Elmas, and Lozano for Politano. This is Spalletti’s plan for the Champions League. Meret in goal, the back four with Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, and Mario Rui, untouchables in midfield in Anguissa, Lobotka, and Zielinski, and in the offensive trident of Lozano, Osimhen, and Kvara: With Raspadori injured and Zerbin and Demme off the UEFA list, this is the first European call-up for the two newcomers Gollini and Bereszynski.
Form Guide
Eintracht Frankfurt DDWWLW
It’s safe to assume that Eintracht Frankfurt’s fans would like to see their team repeat their 2-0 victory against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga 1 last time out.
Eintracht Frankfurt controlled 45 percent of the ball and had 11 shots (6 on goal) in that game. The opposing team, Werder Bremen, only managed three shots, none of which were on target.
With Oliver Glasner at the helm, Eintracht Frankfurt has found the back of the net 11 times in their previous 6 games. That’s an average of 1.83 goals per game.
Napoli DWWWWW
Napoli enters the game on the strength of a 0-2 Serie A win over Sassuolo.
Napoli enjoyed 60% of the possession and 15 shots on goal in that game. There were eleven shots on goal for Sassuolo, with two of them finding the back of the net.
Napoli has scored 14 goals throughout the course of their past six games. There have been goals scored by SSC Napoli in each of those instances. They have conceded three goals in those matches.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Napoli Predicted XI
Eintracht Frankfurt Predicted XI: Trapp; Jakić, N’Dicka, Tuta; Buta, Kamada, Sow, Max; Lindstrøm, Götze; Kolo Muani.
Napoli Predicted XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Mário Rui; Lobotka, Anguissa, Zieliński; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
Prediction
We believe Napoli will be able to grind out a victory and that Eintracht Frankfurt may have trouble scoring against them.
Based on this, we expect a close game, with Napoli emerging victorious by a final score of 0-1.
The round of 16 between Liverpool and Real Madrid is without a doubt the most exciting. A total of 20 Champions Leagues were won by the two clubs, which also faced each other in the final of the last edition. In that case, the Blancos triumphed with a goal from Vinicius Jr., but now it’s a double challenge, and the first leg is played at Anfield Road. Liverpool failed to win the group due to the direct clash with a surprising Napoli and therefore drew Real Madrid, who finished first in their group ahead of Leipzig, Shakhtar, and Celtic. The Reds are very far from the top of the Premier League and therefore must bet everything on the Champions League this year.
The first leg in England will be crucial for Klopp’s team, which has returned to its level at home and has gone seven games without defeat. On the other hand, the Galacticos, recently victorious in the Club World Cup, have the goal of not being satisfied and trying to get to the bottom again this time. Ancelotti hopes to recover Benzema. The Merengues are unbeaten in six direct clashes against the English.
Form Guide
Liverpool WDLLWW
Liverpool, coming off a 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League), will be hoping for a repeat performance. Liverpool enjoyed 63% possession and 13 shots (with 7 on target) in that game. Newcastle United had 14 shots, but just 4 were on target.
For Liverpool, having a score of 0-0 in recent games has become somewhat of a trademark. Bets on both teams scoring in the six previous meetings between these two teams would have lost five times.
Real Madrid WLWWWW
In their most recent La Liga match, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-0.
Five-and-a-half-thirds of the time of possession was won by Real Madrid, and they had 11 shots (6 on target) on goal. While Osasuna had 11 shots, only 4 were on target.
The fact that there have been goals in as many as 22 of Real Madrid’s last six matches (averaging 3.67 goals per game) is indicative of the team’s penchant for high-scoring contests. Five of these are held by the opposing team.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Bajcetic, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Jota.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Ceballos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Prediction
We predict that both Real Madrid and Liverpool will have trouble scoring at this venue.
It looks like it could end up being a tie at this point. Thus, a score of 0-0 seems likely by the game’s end due to the close nature of the contest.
Inter hosts Porto at the Meazza stadium in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri have not lost in five games and won 3-1 against Udinese in the last round, with goals from Lukaku, Mkhitaryan, and Lautaro. Inzaghi is increasingly trailing a now-impenetrable Napoli in the standings. The Nerazzurri are on 47 points in the standings, -15 from the top but +3 over third-placed Milan, so Inzaghi can boast the championship’s second-best attack. Porto have an open streak of 22 games, and in the league they have tried to close the gap on second-placed Benfica with 51 points and a record-breaking defense that conceded just 12 goals in 21 games. In Europe, Porto dominated Group B, finishing first ahead of Bruges, Leverkusen, and Atletico Madrid.
Inter was second in Group C behind Bayern Munich but ahead of Barcelona and Plzen. Lukaku’s goal against Udinese was the first in Serie A since August 13, 2013. And he is a candidate for a place from the first minute on in the Champions League, next to Lautaro. Inzaghi will have to assess the condition of Mkhitaryan, who was replaced due to injury in the league. Good news for Inzaghi, who found Brozovic from the start against Udinese five months ago; the midfielder may now be confirmed in the Champions League. Conceicao won 1-0 in the last round of the championship against Rio Ave despite a massive turnover in view of Inter, and in the meantime, he will try until the end to recover two fixed points like Uribe and Galeno.
Form Guide
Inter Milan LWWWDW
Inter Milan will be looking to keep winning after beating Udinese 3-1 in Serie A.
Inter Milan had 59% possession and 19 shots (with 7 on target) in that encounter. Udinese managed to get off 9 shots, but just 1 was on target. Udinese got their goal via Sandi Lovri (in the 43rd minute).
Their recent play has proven that the Inter Milan defense can do little more to help the team. Throughout the past six games, Inter Milan’s defense has been stout, allowing only three goals.
Porto WWWWWW
Porto comes into this match on the heels of a 1-0 Primeira Liga win, an eclipse of Rio Ave.
As a team, Porto controlled the ball for 59% of the game and took 14 shots, with 4 on target. Eleven shots were taken by Rio Ave, but only four were on target.
Porto has scored 12 goals in their last half-dozen matches. Porto has scored at least one goal in each of those encounters. In that time frame, they’ve given up two goals.
Inter Milan vs Porto Predicted XI
Inter Milan Predicted XI: Onana; Skriniar, Bastoni, Acerbi; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Dimarco; Lukaku, Martinez.
Porto Predicted XI: Costa; Mario, Pepe, Carmo, Sanusi; Franco, Eustaquio, Grujic, Pepe; Taremi, Namaso.
Prediction
We think Inter Milan has what it takes to maintain dominance for extended stretches and score on some of the opportunities they produce.
On the other end, Porto might have trouble putting the ball in the back of the net, but we think they could still wind up being a threat.
We anticipate a rather easy 3-1 victory for Inter Milan in the end.
The Champions League round of 16 program also pits Leipzig and Manchester City against each other. The first leg is played at the Red Bull Arena, the home of the Germans, who must try to take advantage of the home advantage, especially now that away goals no longer have a greater value. Marco Rose’s team finished in second place in Real Madrid’s group, returning to pass the first stage after two years. Leipzig knows they are not favorites in this two-legged tie, but they already beat Citizens in the qualifying round last year and therefore know it is not impossible.
The team coached by Pep Guardiola is doing well and has reopened the English league by winning the direct clash with Arsenal, but he knows he has to reach the bottom of all competitions. There were no problems in the group for Haaland and his companions, who easily put themselves behind Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, and Copenhagen. City understands the importance of getting a positive result away from home in order to avoid having to play a game under pressure at Etihad. The two teams previously met in the group stage last year, with one victory each.
Form Guide
RB Leipzig WWWDLW
Fans of RB Leipzig are hoping for a similar outcome to their previous game, a 3-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg in Bundesliga 1.
RB Leipzig controlled play for the majority of the game, finishing with 57% possession and 16 shots (16 on target). Wolfsburg, on the other hand, had 7 shots, with 2 of them being on target.
Recent games involving RB Leipzig have lived up to their billing as exciting affairs with plenty of goals to be expected. There have been a total of 20 goals scored by both teams (3.33 goals per game) during the course of their previous six matches, with 15 of those goals being credited to RB Leipzig.
Manchester City WWLWWD
Last time out, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest played to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
Manchester City dominated that game, with 73% of the possession and 23 shots (6 on target). The opposition, Nottingham Forest, had 4 shots, but only 1 was on target.
As a result of a string of strong defensive efforts, Manchester City has allowed only four goals in their last six games. During this time, they have scored 11 goals themselves.
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City Predicted XI
RB Leipzig Predicted XI: Blaswich; Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Schlager, Laimer; Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Werner; Silva.
Manchester City Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
Prediction
We predict that Manchester City will score first and that RB Leipzig will have to work very hard to come back from a goal down.
That’s why we’re going with Manchester City winning by a score of 1-0 after 90 minutes.
Nantes hosts Juventus at the Stade de la Beaujoire for the second leg of the Europa League play-off. The first leg played last week in Turin ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that was certainly more favorable to the French. Blas responded to Vlahovic’s initial advantage, and the black and whites protested in the final for a penalty not granted by the referee for a rather clear handball in the Nantes area. Juventus is back from its 2-0 victory against Spezia in the last round of the championship, with goals from Kean and Di Maria. Allegri has allowed himself a minimum of turnover in view of Europe and has recovered key players such as Cuadrado and Bonucci. On the last day of Ligue 1, however, Nantes suffered a 3-1 defeat against Lens. Koumbouare relied on a massive turnover, and the players evidently already had the next match against the Bianconeri in their sights.
Without the 15-point penalty in the standings, Juventus would be second in the standings with the same points as Inter, but now, with 32 points in the standings, Allegri is aiming for minor Europe and is coming off three consecutive victories in the league. The passage of the round in the Europa League becomes a primary goal for the bianconeri, who could secure a place in the next Champions League by winning the competition, given that fourth place in the league to date is very far away. Pogba, Miretti, and Milik are still out for Allegri, who could relaunch the Di Maria, Vlahovic, and Chiesa trident from the first minute. Bremer returns to defense after the disqualification round in the league, and Locatelli starts in midfield.
Form Guide
Nantes LWDWDL
After suffering a defeat against RC Lens by a score of 3-1 in their most recent match in Ligue 1, Nantes will be looking for a better outcome this time around.
Throughout that game, Nantes had 42% possession of the ball and 6 shots on goal, with 3 of those shots finding their mark. The 19 shots that Lens fired at the goal were only successful 6 times.
In five out of the last six matches that Nantes has been a part in, there have been fewer than three goals scored on average. The opposition scored seven goals during that span, while Nantes scored six of their own. Overall, the opposition scored seven goals.
Juventus LWWWDW
Juventus earned a victory in Serie A’s most recent match, which they played against Spezia and won with a score of 2-0.
For the entirety of that match, Juventus enjoyed a possession advantage of 42% and had a total of 15 shots on goal, with 3 of those attempts being successful in striking the back of the net. On the other hand, Spezia had 18 shots on goal, but they were only able to get 7 of them on target. This was a significant disadvantage for Spezia.
The defense unit for Juventus has put together a streak of consistent performances, as seen by the fact that they have only allowed three goals in the sum of their most recent six games of competition. They have amassed a total of 8 goals for themselves within the same time span and have scored all of them.
Nantes vs Juventus Predicted XI
Nantes Predicted XI: Lafont; Victor, Girotto, Pallois; Centonze, Sissoko, Chirivella, Moutoussamy, Coco; Blas, Mohamed.
Juventus Predicted XI: Szczesny; De Sciglio, Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Fragioli, Locatelli, Rabiot; Di Maria, Vlahovic, Kostic.
Prediction
We believe that it will be difficult for Nantes to score goals against this Juventus team, and we anticipate that Juventus will be able to eke out a victory over Nantes through a grind-it-out style of play.
Because of this, we think the game will be very close and end with Juventus winning 1-0.
Barcelona hosts Manchester United at the Nou Camp in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs. Top-level super classic between two teams used to playing in the Champions League finals, led by two young coaches like Xavi and ten Hag looking for redemption after a first part of the season that didn’t live up to expectations in Europe. The elimination of the blaugrana from the Champions League group was surprising for the second year in a row. In-group C, the Spaniards finished in third place with 7 points, behind Bayern and Inter. While United finished second in their Europa League group with the same points as Real Sociedad, Xavi’s path in La Liga was very different: solitary at the top with a consistent advantage over Real Madrid in second place.
On the other hand, the English team is climbing back up to third place, -2 points behind second-placed Manchester City. Xavi will have to do without two big names like Dembélé and Busquets, as confirmed by Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Gavi. Ten Hag will face significant challenges if Casemiro recovers: he will not have van de Beek, Eriksen, McTominay, Martial, the disqualified Sabitzer, and Lisandro at his disposal, and Antony will not be at his best. Formation to be recalibrated with Rashford as an offensive reference point and De Gea’s experience in goal. In the meantime, the English are thinking of Ansu Fati for the future. The Barcelona jewel could only be sacrificed in the face of a monstrous offer, but United are serious.
Form Guide
Manchester United WWDWDW
After beating Leicester City by a score of 3-0 in the Premier League, Manchester United is looking to add another victory to their resume.
Throughout that match, Manchester United held possession of the ball for 57% of the time and had 25 shots on goal, with 8 of those shots hitting the target. On the other hand, Leicester City had 19 shots on goal, with only three of them actually hitting the target.
Manchester United have not experienced any difficulties in terms of scoring, as evidenced by the fact that they have found the back of the net in each of their last six encounters.
Throughout that span of time, they have racked up a total of 13 goals while only allowing 5 goals to be scored against them.
Barcelona WWWWDW
Barcelona comes into this encounter on the heels of a victory in their most recent La Liga match, which saw them defeat Cádiz by a score of 2-0.
During that encounter, Barcelona held 65.0% of the possession and had 16 shots on goal, with 5 of them finding the target. Cádiz, on the other hand, had 14 shots on goal, with 4 of them landing in the net.
The defensive unit for Barcelona has been on a roll recently, as seen by the fact that they have only conceded three goals in their last six matches taken as a whole. At the same time, their forwards have managed to score 11 goals for themselves.
Manchester United vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
Barcelona Predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Alba; De Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
Prediction
We believe that Manchester United will score at least one goal in this match, and we also believe that they will keep a clean sheet at some point. As a result, Barcelona will likely need to put in a strong performance if they hope to score against United.
Because of this, we think the game will be very close the whole time, and Manchester United will win by a score of 1-0.