Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig will be trying to add to Liverpool’s problems when the two teams meet in the Champions League last-16 first leg in Budapest.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says he has given up on his side being able to defend their Premier League title, while Leipzig are still within touching distance of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
When this tie was first confirmed, Liverpool were the favourites to win, and although they still are at 13/10, they appear to have it all to do in Hungary.
Venue Change Just a Wrinkle for In-Form Leipzig
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Tuesday’s tie has been moved from Germany to Hungary, but Leipzig will still be hoping to continue their fine form.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have won four in a row in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in three of those games. They have only lost two of their last 15 matches and momentum is with the Bundesliga outfit.
The same cannot be said of Liverpool, who have lost three games in succession in the Premier League. Brighton, Manchester City and Leicester City have all got the better of them recently, and Klopp is under immense pressure to improve their fortunes.
The Reds have only won three of their last ten games, and while some of their squad claim the Champions League is a welcomed distraction, Tuesday’s game could also be coming at the wrong time.
Liverpool will be doing all they can to record a positive result in the first leg, and their best chance of victory may be on the counter-attack.
RB Leipzig may have to be patient for large parts of the contest, but they should still get a positive result, and they are 20/29 in the double chance market.
Pochettino Hoping to Deliver For PSG
Mauricio Pochettino was handed the reins at Paris Saint-Germain with one clear objective – to win the Champions League.
After arriving in January, Tuesday’s tie with Barcelona will be his first European game in charge, and it should be a tricky one, with Barcelona in their way.
Barca boss Ronald Koeman claims his side can still compete with the best teams in Europe and they will get the chance to prove that this week. Even though they are eight points behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Barcelona have only lost one of their past 18 matches.
PSG have won four in a row under former Tottenham coach Pochettino, while they have lost just one of their previous five on the road in Europe.
Both camps have injuries to contend with, with Neymar and Angel Di Maria out for PSG. Barcelona may be able to recall Gerard Pique, but he has not played for three months and could be rusty in his first match back. Ronald Araujo is definitely going to sit out and defensively Barcelona are stretched ahead of kick-off.
With so much on the line and injuries disrupting matters, Tuesday’s contest could be incredibly close. A draw is not the worst result for either team, and it offers good value at odds 59/20.
*All odds correct at time of writing
