Who can progress to the last eight of the Champions League?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Champions League Quarter Final Places to be Decided
The first two weeks of March will see the second legs of the last 16 Champions League ties being played. Only two of the eight ties have a side a couple of goals clear after the first leg so we look to have a great set of second legs to look forward to on March 5/6 and 12/13.
Bayern Struggling to Reach Last Eight
It's not going well for Bayern Munich at present. They were highly impressive in the group stages of the Champions League but last week lost the first leg of their last 16 tie 1-0 at Lazio.
Bayern Munich's long reign as Bundesliga champions looks to be coming to an end. They are eight points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and that's despite new signing Harry Kane scoring 27 league goals for them. Coach Tomas Tuchel is leaving at the end of the season and now they have work to do to make their way into the Champions League quarter finals.
The first leg away at Lazio saw a 69th minute Ciro Immobile penalty give the Serie A side a 1-0 lead. Bayern had lost three of their last four games before beating RB Leipzig 2-1 at home last weekend. Kane scored both goals and he'll need to continue his excellent scoring record if Bayern are to make the quarter finals.
The other two Bundesliga sides left in the Champions League also have work to do to qualify. Borussia Dortmund drew the away leg against PSV 1-1 and will be hopeful of making the quarter finals. RB Leipzig have a tougher task after losing the home first leg against Real Madrid 1-0. Remember to read all of our Champions League betting tips.
Arsenal Hoping History Doesn't Repeat Itself
Last season saw Arsenal knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon. Now they hope history doesn't repeat itself and Primeira League side Porto eliminate them from the Champions League.
The Gunners have been in excellent form in the Premier League in 2024. They have scored 25 goals in their last six Premier League games but couldn't get on the score sheet when travelling to Porto for the first leg of this Champions League tie. It looked as if they were going to return home with a goalless draw but then conceded in the 94th minute.
The home second leg is being played on March 12 and Arsenal have a great record in the Champions League at the Emirates this season. All three games have been won with 12 goals scored and none conceded.
Porto are third in the Primeira League, nine points behind leaders Benfica. They have gone two away league games without a win and in this competition won two of their group games on the road but lost to Barcelona.
Cup holders Manchester City are the only other remaining English club. After a 3-1 away win against Copenhagen in the first leg, they should have no trouble in the home second leg on March 6. Remember to access all the Champions League betting odds on our site.
Long Wait over for Barcelona?
Not since 2020 have Barcelona reached the quarter finals of the Champions League. After two seasons in which they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, they finally got out of their group this term. They play Napoli in the last 16 and drew the away first leg in Italy 1-1. A good result but Robert Lewandowski had given them a second-half lead.
Barcelona are third in La Liga but are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions. All three of their home Champions League games have been won this season with nine goals scored. Only Bayern Munich have beaten them in their last nine home games in this competition.
Napoli have had a tough time this season with managerial changes galore and inconsistent form. The defending Serie A champions are only ninth in the table but have won two of their three away Champions League games this season but lost 4-2 at Real Madrid.
Spain's other three teams in the Champions League had mixed first leg results. Real Madrid won the away leg at RB Leipzig 1-0, while Atletico Madrid have to claw back a 1-0 deficit when hosting Inter in their second leg. Real Sociedad have it all to do after losing the away leg against PSG 2-0. Check out our Champions League livescore for all the news and updated statistics.
Latest Odds to win the Champions League
- Manchester CIty, odds of 2.50
- Real Madrid, odds of 5.50
- Arsenal, odds of 7.50
- Bayern Munich, odds of 9.00
- Inter, odds of 11.00
- PSG, odds of 13.00
- Barcelona, odds of 21.00
- Borussia Dortmund, odds of 41.00
- Porto, odds of 41.00
Odds from bet365
