Champions League Round Of 16: Leg 2 Preview And Permutations

Next week, the second legs of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 will begin, as the results of said fixtures will confirm the four quarterfinalists of the prestigious cup’s 2023/24 edition.

The road to Istanbul becomes shorter as sixteen teams become twelve when the UCL round of 16 deciders starts on March 5, 2024, and the first group of the second leg clashes get underway. With only two goals being the largest lead between the first eight teams and two slim margins of 1-0 from the first leg, we’re guaranteed drama, unexpected outcomes, and high tension from when the first game kicks off.

Champions League Round of 16 – Leg 2 – March 5-6 Schedule:

Real Sociedad vs. Paris St-Germain – Tuesday, March 5^th, 2024
Bayern Munich vs. Lazio – Tuesday, March 5^th, 2024
Manchester City vs. Copenhagen – Wednesday, March 6^th, 2024
Real Madrid vs. Leipzig – Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

A Big Ask for Sociedad de Futbol

Real Sociedad vs. PSG

Aggregate Score: PSG leads 2-0

Real Sociedad successfully defended against Paris’s offensive skills for about an hour during the first leg in France. The host team’s superior talent became evident when they scored goals via Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola, putting La Real in need of an exceptional performance in San Sebastián to advance to their first European Cup quarter-final since 1982/83.

It won’t be an easy feat for the home side. Still, crazier scorelines take a U-turn during Champions League football. The Basque club might draw motivation from Newcastle, who used a fervent home crowd to their advantage and defeated Paris 4-1 in the group stage.

The problem for La Real will lie in Mbappe’s quest for Champions League glory before he departs the Ligue 1 side in the summer. With such a prolific set-up in the final third, one conceded goal for Sociedad in leg two would require a serious comeback trail. In contrast, a defensive-minded style of play would prevent their chances of finding the two goals needed to level the tie.

Real Sociedad vs. PSG Betting Odds

Surprisingly, oddsmakers are split on pricing for a winner despite the respectable display of Sociedad last time out and their home advantage.

Real Sociedad 17/10

Draw 13/5

PSG 17/10

The German Giants Down One

Bayern Munich vs. Lazio

Aggregate Score: Lazio leads 1-0

Bayern have reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 11 out of the previous 12 appearances, with their only failure being in the 2018/19 season. However, they risk being eliminated in round 16 this season since Lazio won 1-0 in the first leg in Rome.

Boasting a position amongst the top-five defensive units of the Serie A (26 goals conceded thus far), it’s not all that surprising how Maurizio Sarri’s men managed to keep the German giants at bay for 90 minutes.

Sarri’s team aims to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in 24 years. Bayern have not lost in their past 13 home Champions League matches (W10 D3), while the Biancocelesti know they must work as hard as ever to keep their lead and advance.

Bayern Munich vs. Lazio Betting Odds

Naturally, bookmakers can’t help but side with Munich, who’ll have the German support and a must-win situation on their hands.

Bayern Munich 4/11

Draw 23/5

Leipzig 17/2

No Problem for Pep

Manchester City vs. Copenhagen

Aggregate Score: Man City leads 1-3

With nothing to lose, Copenhagen could be a dangerous outfit when they travel to England to face the reigning Champions League titleholders. However, as the only team to win an away fixture in all eight UCL round of 16 first-leg ties, the confidence will undoubtedly be with Pep Guardiola and company.

Some would argue that Manchester City, similar to last year’s UCL competition, have received the luck of the draw. However, nobody can argue this squad’s class, as they continue their Premier League dominance this term while balancing positive results in Europe.

For good reasons, City are favoured to win the entire competition (15/8). Now, with the home advantage, Copenhagen faces the most difficult comeback of all remaining teams on the schedule.

Man City vs. Copenhagen Betting Odds

You won’t find a bigger landslide in pricing on an outright winner in the second-leg fixtures, and rightfully so. The odds from the top UK betting sites aren’t taking a risk with the formidable Manchester City, and we shouldn’t be surprised if a routine home win plays out.

Man City 1/7

Draw 8/1

Copenhagen 18/1

A Nervous Encounter at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs. Leipzig

Aggregate Score: Madrid leads 1-0

Los Blancos arrived in Germany for their first leg meeting with Leipzig and were forced to fight tooth and nail to edge a one-goal lead. Brahim Díaz had a remarkable moment that decided the closely contested clash; after replacing the injured Jude Bellingham, the Spanish winger skilfully manoeuvred past three defenders and scored a brilliant curling strike inside the far post shortly after the start of the second half, securing the lone goal of the game.

However, the most successful team in UCL history – with 14 trophies – cannot rely on such fortunes next time out. Despite the setback of their home meeting, Leipzig showed equal strength to Madrid for the remainder of the match, giving them optimism and a scoreline that allows for a potential shock at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid vs. Leipzig Betting Odds

Considering Madrid’s form at the Bernabeu of zero defeats this term, 3/5 isn’t a bad price for punters whatsoever.

Real Madrid 3/5

Draw 7/2

Leipzig 17/4

Champions League Round of 16 Leg 2 – March 12-13 Roundup

Barcelona are evenly tied with Napoli (1-1), where a home advantage will undoubtedly be in the Catalan giant’s favour.
Another 1-1 tie involving Borussia Dortmund and PSV will be settled at the Signul Iduna Park.
Arsenal will have to reverse a 1-0 first-leg disadvantage against Porto in London on 12 March in order to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009/10.

Atlético de Madrid’s first meeting with Inter faltered after the Nerazzurri emerged victorious in the first encounter with a 1-0 triumph in Milan. The return match at the Estadio Metropolitano will take place on 13 March.

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