We usually focus our picks columns on the Premier League but we have expanded our coverage once again to Europe’s top competitions, the Champions League and Europa League. There are plenty of interesting fixtures this week and the following are our picks for some of the big matches.
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Manchester City vs. Barcelona
Credit: Lluís By Lluís from Sabadell (Barcelona), España (LFS_14039) , via Wikimedia CommonsI’ve been waiting for this game since the ties were announced in December. Manchester City have righted the ship, thrashing their last two opponents by a combined score of 9-1. But will they have enough to conquer the Catalans? The fact that they’ll be without Yaya (suspension) and James Milner (knee) seems to stack the deck against a Barcelona side who’ll have a sour taste in their mouth having just lost at home to Malaga. City will have to batten down the hatches because Messi and company fear no one. They will not go to the Etihad and show their opponent any respect, because its just not in their DNA. They’re gonna pass the ball around as swiftly as they can and try to carve City wide open. That being said I see City standing up strong in this first leg and earning a draw
Pick: Draw (+240)
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are the scariest team in this competition. They have the scrappiness to beat any team in the world, regardless of stature or payroll. Bayer Leverkusen have only won 1 of their 5 games since the winter break ended, and stylistically it’s going to be very hard for them to score against Atleti. Remember Monaco kept clean sheets against them twice in the group stage.
Pick: Bayer Leverkusen will not score (+175)
Arsenal vs. Monaco
Courtesy of Flickr user Ronnie McDonald
Arsenal’s knew found commitment to defending will behoove them in this competition. But quite frankly this tie should be a sparring session versus Wenger’s former club. Monaco only scored 4 goals in 6 group stage games but still finished top of the group. In both the Champions League and Ligue 1 they have discovered a knack for keeping clean sheets. They’re only hope is to somehow stop Arsenal from running away with it in the first leg, but it’s highly unlikely that they can muster up enough of a threat to Arsenal’s goal. You can’t name a single player in this Monaco team that would make Arsenal’s starting 11. The Gunners will have to huff and puff a bit, but the doors will blow down.
Pick: Arsenal to win + keep a clean sheet (+120)
Sporting Lisbon vs Wolfsburg
This is just one of many thrilling Europa League return legs that will take place on Thursday. Sporting have to overcome a 2 goal deficit and if you remember how they played in the group stages vs Schalke and Chelsea, don’t expect them to hold back. They will come out ‘guns a blazing’ and leave plenty of chances on the counter for Wolfsburg, who on recent form should have no problems converting. Expect a shootout
Pick: Both teams to score + over 2.5 goals (-105)
Last Matchday’s record: 2-1 (+1.1 units)
Overall: 32-31 (+6.2 units)