Betdistrict.com
Barcelona hosts Manchester City in the Champions League Round 16 second leg, after winning the first leg 2-1 and missing a penalty in the last minute to make it 3-1. Barca was by far the better team, especially in the first half and probably were a little disappointed that they did not put the match to sleep by scoring one more goal.
Barcelona had an easy match over the weekend, 2-0 vs. Eibar, their 16 win in the last 17 games. Luis Enrique rested a couple of players like Mascherano and Iniesta, also Dani Alves and Jordi Alba were unavailable … all 4 players will mist likely start today. The only absentees for the Catalan side are Busquets and Vermaelen.
Barcelona lineup: Bravo – Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba – Rakitic, Mascherano, Iniesta – Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Bet on Barcelona vs. Man City and claim your 100% welcome bonus at Bet365.com!
Manchester City did not use any rotation in the weekend and had a fully healthy linup available, but still managed to lose 1-0 to Burnley, confirming their very poor recent form … it was the 3rd defeat in 4 matches for City, who won only 3 of the last 9 games in all competitions. Pellegrini could go back to a 4-2-3-1 formation after recent disasters with the 4-4-2 and he could also change some players from the ones that lost to Burnley. Clichy is suspended and he is the only absentee for City.
Manchester City lineup: Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov – Fernandinho, Toure – Silva, Milner, Navas – Aguero
Manchester City can not simply park the bus and defend after the 1st leg result … it is not their style and they also saw in the first half of the first game that an approach like that means bankrupcy vs. a team like Barcelona … but leaving even the slightest open spaces against Messi, Suarez and Neymar could be even worse at Camp Nou. Barcelona is simply too strong for City at the moment and should outplay their opponents again despite not needing a win to qualify. My tip will be Barcelona to win and cover a 1,25 goal asian handicap. Correct score prediction: Barcelona – Manchester City 2-0.
Pick: Barcelona (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.83 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.64
Event date: 18 March
