The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League has thrown up some intriguing encounters but Barcelona remain the 9/4 favourites (Betfred, Coral and William Hill) to regain their title having been paired with AC Milan. The runaway Primera Liga leaders have met the Serie A side six times in the Champions League and have yet to lose. They knocked them out at the quarter-final stage last season and Massimiliano Allegri‘s team are now out to a general 100/1 to win the tournament.
Italy’s other remaining represenatatives, Juventus, will fancy their chances of further progress, however, having drawn Celtic out of the hat. The Scots have defied the odds to make the knockout stages but will need to step up again to survive their two matches against the Serie A champions, who have got better as the competition has progressed. Neil Lennon‘s Hoops will have to gain an advantage in the first leg at Celtic Park to have any chance of causing another upset but are now 200/1 with Coral to win the Champions League. Juve are a best 12/1 with Boylesports.
The other surviving British teams will also have their hands full making the quarter-finals. Manchester United are a general 14/1 in the outright betting after being drawn away to Real Madrid. It means a return to Old Trafford for Ronaldo and United will have to keep their former star quiet if they are not to suffer the same fate as arch-rivals Manchester City, who were beaten by an injury-time goal by the Portuguese winger in the Bernebeu in the group stages. Real Madrid have had their problems this season but Jose Mourinho‘s side are still only a best 5/1 with BetVictor to win the title.
Bayern Munich have won two of their previous four matches against Arsenal but there is rarely much between the sides and their encounter could be the tie of the round. The Germans always seem to be a force in Champions League and have been European champions four times. They’ll be keen to wipe out the memory of last season’s final heartbreak but the Gunners are dangerous opponents. Arsene Wenger‘s team has had an indifferent campaign to date but are capable of matching the best on their day and are a general 40/1 to finally end their long wait for a Champions League title this term. Bayern are 15/2 with Coral, the same odds as Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund who face Shakhtar Donetsk (a general 33/1). Paris St Germain are next best at Coral’s 22/1.
