The Champions League returns this week as sides look to book their spot in the last eight, and while Spurs’ passage is almost guaranteed, Man United have it all to do if they are to advance.
The German league leaders have it all to do tomorrow as they welcome Spurs to the Signal Iduna Park. Going into the second leg of their Round of 16 tie with a three-goal deficit and just one win in their last five domestic games (D2 L2), they’ll need the Yellow Wall in full voice as their 12th man if they’re to restore their momentum of earlier this season.
Meanwhile Man Utd have an even greater mountain to climb on Wednesday as they travel to the Parc des Princes, trailing 2-0 to PSG. No club has ever progressed to the next round of the Champions League after losing the first leg of a knockout match at home by two or more goals.
Our football expert is here to run his eye over the best bets for this week’s fixtures.
Borussia Dortmund v Spurs
History tells us that Tottenham’s trip to Germany will see them progress through to the quarter final. No team has ever won 3-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League knockout game and failed to secure safe passage to the next stage. If Spurs can weather the yellow storm, it will be their second ever appearance in the competition’s last eight.
Now level on points with Bayern in the Bundesliga, Dortmund’s season is at a cross-road. To go through they’re at 17/2. Is the stage set for Marco Reus and Jaydon Sancho to turn the tide on their home turf? History is against them. But then again, this is Spurs…
Paris Saint-Germain vs Man Utd
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his work cut out for him on Wednesday if the Red Devils are to make it past the French giants. PSG have lost just one of their last 16 Champions League games at home (W10 D5) — which came in the Round of 16 last season against the competition winners Real Madrid (1-2).
Add to this the absence of club talisman Paul Pogba, who misses out due to suspension, the odds are against Utd to progress to the quarters, at 11/1.
But one thing Ole’s side haven’t been lacking since he took the reins is goals. And the recent return to form of Romelu Lukaku (3/1) and the fit again Marcus Rashford (3/1) make for very tempting prospects to find the back of the net in their pursuit of a famous night in Europe.
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