Champions League 2016: Odds, Live Stream for Wednesday's Round of 16 Fixtures
Real Madrid will resume their quest for an 11th European Cup triumph on Wednesday evening, as they travel to the Eternal City to face Roma in what should be an absorbing clash in the Champions League second round.
The showdown in the Italian capital is the standout clash of the day, where Real will be seeking to put the tie beyond doubt with a strong away showing. Elsewhere, Belgian minnows Gent welcome Wolfsburg, with each hoping to secure a quarter-final berth.
Here are the odds for both matches, some selected bets for the first leg in the Italian capital and all the details needed on where to stream the action on what should be another brilliant night in European football’s premier competition.
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| Roma vs. Real Madrid | 3-1 | 12-5 | 10-11 |
| Gent vs. Wolfsburg | 47-25 | 12-5 | 66-50 |
Match odds used are accurate as of 7:30 a.m. (GMT) Feb. 16 and are available in full on Oddsshark. Recommended bets courtesy of Oddschecker.
Live Stream: BT Sport website (UK), FOX Soccer 2GO (US)
Karim Benzema, Real Madrid—First Goalscorer (9-2)
Although Cristiano Ronaldo seems like the obvious candidate in this category with 24 league goals and 11 Champions League goals scored already this term, but in Karim Benzema, Real possess a player who so often scores crucial goals.
The Frenchman has enjoyed a wonderful season. He leads this Los Blancos attacking setup with distinction, closing down defenders, linking up the play and making intelligent runs into the channels too. And as we can see here courtesy of MisterChip, Benzema has a knack for getting Real going:
It makes the 9-2 price, no doubt bolstered by the presence of Ronaldo, look like very good value indeed for the No. 9 to break the deadlock.
Roma have struggled to keep clean sheets since being taken over by Luciano Spalletti and will not envy going up against the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, James Rodriguez and Isco. It’s an attack that can cause even the most robust back lines problems and should the Giallorossi creep up the field, roared on by their home supporters, they’ll be exposed.
The absence of Gareth Bale will ensure Benzema is very much the focal point of this attack after Ronaldo. It makes the 9-2 on him to net first well worth a punt.
Roma vs. Real Madrid—Over 4.5 Goals (7-2)
Typically, first-leg encounters in the Champions League are tight, with neither side willing to fall out of contention early on. But this game has all the makings of an open one.
Roma had become stagnant under the tutelage of Rudi Garcia and although he’d done a decent job overall, this was a team that needed to be kick-started into life. Spalletti, his successor, has certainly enlivened those who frequent the Stadio Olimpico with a more enterprising style of football.
As ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan noted here, Roma come into this one having built up some momentum:
Nevertheless, for all the good work done by Spalletti recently, they’re a side who do leave gaps at the back. They’ve yet to strike a balance when it comes to midfield protection. While sides like Carpi and Sampdoria have failed to take their chances in recent Serie A tussles, Real Madrid will be much more clinical.
As we can see here courtesy of the tournament’s Twitter feed, it seems as though Spalletti’s main aim won’t be to nullify Real’s attacking threats:
Roma need to take a lead to Madrid if they’re to get through this tie, and it’s important they attack at what will be a hostile Stadio Olimpico for the visitors.
They have players to cause Real problems, especially the likes of Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah and Miralem Pjanic. But their offensive intentions will leave Real with space to exploit. Goals, therefore, will be a given.
