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Champions League Betting Preview: Round of 16, March 10-11

Christian Hartmann / Reuters

Four teams will see their Champions League adventure come to a bitter end this week, as the second legs of the respective round of 16 clashes take center stage across the football world.

While one tie seems to already be settled, three others are still very much up for grabs.

Here's a betting overview for this week's matches:

FC Porto v. FC Basel

Odds:

Result bet365 BetVictor William Hill
Porto 1/2 9/20 4/9
Draw 7/2 7/2 10/3
Basel 13/2 7/1 13/2
Over 2.5 17/20 20/23 4/5
Under 2.5 19/20 39/40 19/20

Analysis: Porto go into the contest following a 1-1 draw in Switzerland in the opening leg, and with an away goal in their back pocket, are the heavy favorites to progress to the quarterfinal.

The Swiss side will be forced to stretch themselves in search of a goal, which should create openings for the hosts. But the absence of star striker and captain Jackson Martinez through a groin injury - in addition to Basel getting Fabian Schar back from suspension - should be enough to keep this one tight.

Prediction: FC Porto 1, Basel 0

The Play: Under 2.5 goals at 39/40 (BetVictor)

Real Madrid v. FC Schalke 04

Odds:

Result bet365 BetVictor William Hill
Real Madrid 11/50 2/9 1/5
Draw 6/1 13/2 5/1
Schalke 14/1 14/1 14/1
Over 2.5 2/5 4/9 4/11
Under 2.5 47/25 15/8 2/1

Analysis: That Real Madrid has struggled of late is no secret. Coming off a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao and stuttering to craft legitimate chances, the reigning European champions have looked wildly out of sorts in attack.

Tuesday's contest at the Santiago Bernabeu could prove to be the perfect antidote following their 2-0 win in the opening leg of the tie. While Madrid have looked bereft of ideas trying to break down teams who set up a deep bunker and defend in numbers, they are still frightening on the counter-attack, and should get opportunities to do exactly that against a Schalke side that will be forced to attack if they have any hope at all of advancing. 

Prediction: Real Madrid 2, FC Schalke 0

The Play: Under 2.5 goals at 2/1 (William Hill)

Bayern Munich v. Shakhtar Donetsk

Odds:

Result bet365 BetVictor William Hill
Bayern Munich 9/50 1/6 1/6
Draw 7/1 7/1 6/1
Shakhtar 18/1 20/1 16/1
Over 2.5 57/100 4/7 1/2
Under 2.5 27/20 6/4 6/4

Analysis: Shakhtar were magnificent, if not overly physical, in shutting down Bayern Munich in the opening leg last month. While the contest was more kickboxing than football at times, the Ukrainian side did precisely what was needed, stopping Pep Guardiola's machine from finding that priceless away goal.

It's difficult to think they could replicate such a performance at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern have scored 14 goals in their last three matches. Shakhtar will put up an impressive fight (perhaps literally) but the overwhelming talent gap will see the German side prevail.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 2, Shakhtar Donetsk 0

The Play: Under 2.5 goals at 6/4 (William Hill)

Chelsea v. Paris Saint-Germain

Odds:

Result bet365 BetVictor William Hill
Chelsea 1/1 1/1 19/20
Draw 5/2 5/2 12/5
PSG 16/5 16/5 3/1
Over 2.5 23/20 6/5 23/20
Under 2.5 67/100 7/10 13/20

Analysis: Paris Saint-Germain return to the scene of last season's Champions League heartbreak on Wednesday. At least Demba Ba won't be there.

No, the French club will instead have to contend with a Chelsea squad carrying a massive advantage following their away goal in the first leg. With Jose Mourinho at the helm, it's difficult to envision a scenario in which the Blues squander that advantage on home soil. PSG may be coming off a four-goal performance on the weekend, but a sturdy Chelsea defense should prove too great an obstacle to overcome.

Prediction: Chelsea 2, PSG 1

The Play: Chelsea to win at 1/1 (bet365)

Odds courtesy bet365BetVictorWilliam Hill.

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