The UEFA Champions League round of 16 on CBS All Access continues on Wednesday with the last two remaining first legs as Atalanta welcomes Real Madrid to Bergamo, while Manchester City travels to Romania to take on Borussia Monchengladbach. Atalanta and Manchester City are seen by oddsmakers as the favorites competing in the race, but both Real Madrid and Gladbach hope to upset the first leg to put themselves in position to advance to the second leg next month. The return legs are currently scheduled for Tuesday March 16.
So who will take the first blood in the round of 16? The football experts of our CBS Sports have made their choice below. You can follow all the action on CBS All Access.
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Atalanta vs. Real Madrid
Time: Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. ET (CBS All Access)
Atalanta +140; Draw +250; Real Madrid +185 (odds via William Hill Sportsbook)
Taking Stanchions: With Papu Gomez no longer on the team, it is difficult to support Atalanta against an inconsistent but still very dangerous Real Madrid side. Choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Taking Romanos: Atalanta’s speed could cause serious problems, but a draw with both teams scoring seems like a good result for Zinedine Zidane’s team. Choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Taking Echegaray’s: The Colombian duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata are just too dynamic to let nothing happen in this duo. I also have a feeling Gian Piero Gasperini will be ready for this, trying to prove to a Champions League audience that they are more than just Papu Gomez. Muriel in particular has been fantastic and when on it is unplayable. I think the Real Madrid backline will just struggle. Let’s not forget the overwhelming amount of injuries that Zinedine Zidane has to deal with. From Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo to Alvaro Odriozola and Eder Militao, Los Blancos are simply skinny … and the last thing you want to face is a hungry Atalanta. Choose: Atalanta 3, Real Madrid 1
West take: The rumors of Atalanta’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Papu Gomez was a huge defeat, but Atalanta have proven they are no joke even without him, and their 4-2 win against Napoli this weekend was a big statement. I see them bringing Real Madrid to the wire. Choose: Atalanta 1, Real Madrid 1
Johnson’s take: I’m going for a wild four-goal affair, maybe more out of hope than anything else. Few European parties can rival Atalanta for the value of excitement, while Real is not the beast they have been on the continental scene before. I’m going for an entertaining trek that will keep it alive for stage two. Choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
Taking Benge’s: There is no logic or rationale behind this choice, except for one simple fact: I have spent far too much of this season writing an obituary for a Real Madrid team that will not remain dead. I know the defenses look worn out, that they will miss Karim Benzema excessively and that I wouldn’t really want to rely on Mariano to take the lead in a Champions League knockout match. But in these circumstances, you can’t help but expect those midfield veterans of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to take the ball and play the game, strangling the life of Atalanta. Choose: Atalanta 0, Real Madrid 1
Taking Gonzalez’s: Lots of goals, bad defense and nothing decided after the first leg. Despite not having Karim Benzema, Real Madrid finds goals when needed. Choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
Taking Herrera’s: Real Madrid will miss the services of striker Karim Benzema and a number of other key players due to an injury. Atalanta’s attack form has reached a high level that will be difficult for Real’s back line to handle. Choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 1
Goodman’s take: Madrid are increasingly relying on one go against Luca Modric and Toni Kroos in midfield, leaving them wide open defensively, especially with Sergio Ramos on the side. Atalanta can make use of that with their helter go-kart, up and down style. They, in turn, are also exposed by Madrid and Karim Benzema. Choose: Atalanta 2, Real Madrid 2
So who do you have to back in the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atalanta? And where does all the stake value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets on the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 16,900 for $ 100 bettors since the 2017-18 season!
Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City
Time: Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. ET (CBS All Access)
Mönchengladbach +800; Draw +430; Man City -300 (odds via William Hill Sportsbook)
Last Chances:
Manchester -1.5
Taking Stanchions: As long as Pep Guardiola doesn’t tinker with the team too much, I bet City will be victorious. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Taking Romanos: Marco Rose has already announced that he will be leaving at the end of the season, but above all, Man City is probably the best team in the world right now. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Taking Echegaray’s: Man City are currently the best team in Europe and any opponent will struggle to get anything. What’s scary for everyone else looking to get something against Pep Guardiola’s side is that the Premier League team is doing it on both sides. They will always perform offensively. They just have too much firepower, and now with Kevin De Bruyne back, they are just too much to handle. But it’s defensive where Man City has really improved. Only 15 goals conceded in the Premier League and in the Champions League group stage? A target. Gladbach is also doing badly. Have not won any games in their last three and are a long way from a Champions League spot. Not to mention that their manager Marco Rose is heading to Borussia Dortmund this summer, so where does the motivation come from? It’s a tall order for the Bundesliga squad, who will be welcomed by Guardiola as he strives to finally win the tournament with the club. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
West take: Die Fohlen did not win a match outside of DFB Pokal in February. Manchester City is unstoppable. I expect Gladbach to have a decent fight, but City will just have too much for them. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Johnson’s take: As much as I would like Die Fohlen to come for a surprise, I think Pep Guardiola’s men are going to be too strong here. I can see the hosts scoring, but the visitors largely dominate and put themselves in a strong position for the return. Choose: Monchengladbach 1, Manchester City 3
Taking Benge’s: Pep Guardiola’s silk is Europe’s most versatile, ingenious and amazing team. Gladbach is currently unable to buy a win and offers all of Homer Simpson’s offensive hit. Unfortunately for Marco Rose, they are about to meet Drederick Tatum. That’s a paddlin ‘. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Taking Gonzalez’s: No team plays better than Manchester City in the entire world, and after failing to produce the number of expected goals against Arsenal on Sunday, they demolish an inconsistent Gladbach. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 3
Taking Herrera’s: Man City were on their way to the round of 16 in incredible form, while Gladbach faltered in the Bundesliga game after coming out of the group stage. Look for Man City to set the pace early. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
Goodman’s take: The city’s defensive juggernaut rolls on. City is the best side in Europe right now and the best in defensive teams that absolutely strangle teams. Gladbach is a creative attacker whose disciplined structure allows them to create good opportunities without advancing numbers by breaking fast with smart and innovative moves. City will wait, however, as their own innovative, mostly strikerless system allows them to keep numbers in reserve to quell such an approach. Choose: Monchengladbach 0, Manchester City 2
So who do you have to back in the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach? And where does all the stake value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets on the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 16,900 for $ 100 bettors since the 2017-18 season!
Thanks for checking out, and good luck with your choice!