UEFA Champions League - Round of 16
The UCL returns this week with another slate of impressive matchups. Matchday's one and two set the tone for the remaining field, with so much at stake for all parties involved there is no room for error between these European giants.
Spanish representatives Barcelona travel to France where a youthful Lyon side have hopes of pulling the ultimate shocker. The Catalan's make the trip as the odds on favorites to progress to the next round, but the "Kids" will not make matters easy for the defending La Liga champs in their pursuit of UEFA silverware.
The premier event on Tuesday's card takes place at Anfield under the lights, when Bayern Munich come in looking to grab a first-leg advantage, while Liverpool is content on making their own history as the "Reds" attempt to return to the European finals for a second straight season.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Anfield, Liverpool, England
2-19-2019 - 3:00 pm ET - TNT
Liverpool will step onto the pitch as favorites to advance despite failing to win their group, the Reds must now take a more difficult path in order to claim another quarter-finals appearance.
Jurgen Klopp is familiar with this specific role, the German manager led his team to safety during their memorable run in 2018, now with a familiar foe in their way, it will be interesting to see how the EPL side stacks up against another top seed.
Klopp's Old German Rivals
The former Dortmund man is well aware of what Bayern offers over a course of 90 plus minutes, losing to the Bavarians 16 times during his Bundesliga career. Klopp should be fully prepared for the six-time defending German champs, wanting to grab an early advantage as they head back to the Allianz Arena in a fortnight.
The hosts understand they must score goals in order to fend off the powerful "FCB", leaning on the contributions of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane who have accounted for 57 goals and 22 assists in all competitions, Klopp will place a heavy responsibility on his talented front-line to help claim a final sixteen victory.
The Reds will also benefit from over a week of rest since their last competition, while Bayern participated in a domestic fixture against a scrappy Augsburg side on Friday night.
Team Prop
Liverpool - Team Total Over 1.5 -115 / 1.87 - Goals
Liverpool will have major concerns on the back-end with central defender Virgil van Dijk due to miss the first leg, the Dutch-man is suspended placing major concerns throughout the Reds four-man back-line. Dejan Lovren is fighting to return from injury in order to fill the void, if Lovren is unable to go Summer signing Fabinho is rumored to be next in line, placing the Brazilian in an unfamiliar role as the host's immediate successor.
Anfield has been a fortress for the Reds this season having only lost 1 match in all competitions. The famed stadium has also given Liverpool a massive advantage at night, with their loyal supporters always offering their full inspiration.
Bayern Munich arrives in northern England in an unfamiliar position, the Bavarians start the first leg as underdogs against a fully rested Liverpool side.
Niko Kovac will face his largest test since taking over the sideline responsibilities, the first year coach has been at the center of scrutiny throughout the season, placing an added emphasis on the Croatian to get a positive result during this first-leg affair.
The Bavarian's Overall Depth
The German's are rumored to start up to 10 members who took to the pitch this past Friday, placing major questions on why the squad was not rotated more leading up to their trip to Liverpool. Kovac certainly understands his players, but with the likes of Thomas Muller, and Frank Ribery available for domestic duty over the weekend, the visitors will be tested to keep pace with their up-tempo competitors.
Bayern must now rely on their projected eleven, with Klopp's former pupil Robert Lewandowski the main danger-man atop the Bavarians front-line. Lewandoski has begun to catch fire after a slow start to the campaign, the Polish striker has bagged 29 goals throughout all his appearances on multiple fronts, giving Liverpool plenty to fear as he lingers in front of goal.
The visitors have introduced a new youthful array of players within their normal rotation with Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman set to handle the winger responsibilities alongside their main tally's man. The Bayern pairing has welcomed their current roles, giving the Bavarians some much-needed pace and athleticism down the flanks.
Team Prop
Bayern Munich - Team Total Over 1 -140 / 1.71 - Goal
The FCB were lifted by the return of Manuel Neuer after a brief stint on the injury list, the German international is regarded as one of the best goalkeeper's in the world, and his inclusion between the sticks could not have come at a better time when facing the Reds unrelenting attack.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich - Match Prediction
The amount of firepower possed by each high profiled club will be on full display, with each team preferring to stay on the front foot while creating a plethora of chances on goal, we should expect nothing but top-notch football at it's very best.
Liverpool is the rare team in England that plays with a German flare, depending on a high press to create turnovers, while flooding their opponent's side of the pitch with overwhelming numbers. Klopp's style of play has been an overwhelming success during his time in Merseyside, expect his team to place Bayern under immediate pressure while looking to use through balls and the counter-attack as the main weapons of choice.
The Reds are averaging 2.3 goals per match while own their home pitch, giving them plenty of confidence they will find the back of the net while at Anfield against Bayern's shaky back-line.
Bayern Munich will not be intimidated by Liverpool's hostile environment, with plenty of quality to compete with any team in the world, the German's will give the Reds all they can handle during their time at the famous stadium. The visitors will rely heavily on their wingers to break down the Reds defense while looking to attempt a large number of shots in and around the box, also using set-pieces as a true neutralizer when lined up in one on one situations.
The Bavarian's have been just as clinical during their travels this season, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per contest, they understand they must grab at least one away goal for the return leg in two weeks.
Match Prop
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals -120 / 1.83
Expect each team to push forward with plenty of purpose, owners of clinical finishers throughout their front-lines, we should see multiple balls hitting the back of the net as this match moves back to Germany for the second leg.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich - Betting Tips
Over 1.5 -120 / 1.83 - Total 2nd Half Goals
Over 2.75 - Total Full-Time Goals -115 / 1.87
UCL - Bonus Betting Tips
Lyon vs Barcelona
Groupama, Lyon, France
12-19-2019 - 3:00 pm ET - BR / Live
Lyon +0.75 -110 / 1.91 - Full-Time Spread
Over 1.25 -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals -120 / 1.83
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