Last week’s tips didn’t go quite as I’d hoped although we did get the right First 
Goalscorer option in the Juventus v Tottenham clash. However, the very strong performance of all three British sides across both nights really emphasised how strong the Premier League is at present. The results from last week’s First Leg games in the Champions League were as follows:
- FC Basel 0
- Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 14,53, Bernardo Silva 18, Aguero 23)
An amazing performance from Manchester City saw them claim a comprehensive victory in Switzerland, making their return leg at the Etihad in a couple of weeks’ time a mere formality. City’s superb start, where they scored three goals in the opening 23 minutes was the foundation for their success and a strong defensive display, allied to Gundogan’s second half goal, gave them a record away win for a British team in the Knockout Stages of the Champions League. However it would be a record they would hold for just 24-hours.
- Juventus 2 (Higuain 2, 9 (pen))
- Tottenham 2 (Kane 35, Eriksen 71)
In one of the best and most dramatic matches of the Champions League this season, Tottenham came back from two early goals from Gonzalo Higuain and survived a missed penalty from the same player to earn a 2-2 draw in Turin and further their hopes of advancing in the competition a great deal. In truth, apart from the opening 10 minutes, Spurs dominated the game for long spells and were well worthy of the draw, given to them from a fine Harry Kane finish and a superb Christian Eriksen free kick. The second leg at Wembley should be an absolute cracker.
- FC Porto 0
- Liverpool 5 (Mane 25,53,85, Salah 29, Firmino 69)
Liverpool smashed Manchester City’s 24-hour record for a Champions League knockout stage away win by an English team when they smashed five past FC Porto on Wednesday night. Sadio Mane’s well-taken hat trick, allied with strikes from Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino were enough to give Liverpool a comfortable win and they are now almost certain to make it into the quarterfinals stage. FC Porto were soundly beaten and could not cope with Liverpool’s counter-attacking pace or the quality of their finishing.
- Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 45 (pen), 83, Marcelo 86)
- Paris St Germain 1 (Rabiot 33)
Real Madrid came back superbly from a first half strike from Adrien Rabiot to put themselves in pole position heading into the second leg in Paris. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the catalyst, netting a crucial penalty just before half time to pull the home side level and then also putting them in front with a cool finish after 83 minutes. The crucial goal however came three minutes later when Marcelo slotted home to turn what was an OK result for PSG into a mountain to climb in the home leg. Neymar and co need to be at their best to turn around this deficit.
Champions League – Tuesday February 20th
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
Venue – Allianz Arena (75,000)
Bayern Munich Form – W W W W W W
Bayern Munich Team News – Manuel Neuer remains Bayern’s only absentee with a long term injury but Kingsley Coman will be fit to face the Turkish side. Ulreich will continue in goal with the back four likely to be the four players rested at the weekend. Javi Martinez may miss out if Bayern elect to go with a more attacking line up with Vidal likely to come in for the Spanish midfielder.
Bayern Munich Likely XI – (4-3-3) – Ulreich, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba, Vidal, Miller, James, Coman, Robben, Lewandowski.
Besiktas Form – W W W D W D
Besiktas Team News – Besiktas will miss their main striking threat from the group stage, Cenk Tosun, who was a January sale to Everton in the transfer window. Manager Senol Gunes could plump for Spaniard Alvaro Negredo or Brazilian Vagner Love in his place at the front of his four man attack. Love may just get the nod with his better goalscoring form of late. Veterans Ryan Babel and Ricardo Quaresma are likely to start along with summer signing Pepe.
Besiktas Likely XI – (3-2-4-1) – Fabri, Adriano, Pepe, Tosic, Medel, Ozyakup, Babel, Quaresma, Talisca, Erkin, Love
Our Top Tips:
- Bayern Munich to win to nil – 4/5 with Coral Sport
- Robert Lewandowski to score the first goal – 2/1 with Coral Sport
- Half Time/Full Time – Bayern Munich/Bayern Munich – 4/7
Chelsea v Barcelona
Venue – Stamford Bridge (41,631)
Chelsea Form – L W L L W W
Chelsea Team News – There are a couple of injury concerns for Chelsea with David Luiz already ruled out for the game and two midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ross Barkley both rated to be doubtful for the game. Marcos Alonso however should return for the game and his marauding runs down the left will be a welcome addition for the home team.
Chelsea Likely XI – (5-4-1) – Courtois, Moses,  Alonso, Cahill, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Kante, Fabregas, Pedro, Hazard, Morata.
Barcelona Form – W W D W D W
Barcelona Team News – Barcelona will be without the suspended Nelson Semedo for this game but otherwise have a full strength squad to select from. Lionel Messi has not scored a goal in eight previous games against Chelsea, his worst record against any team he has faced, January signing Coutinho is unable to play as he is cup-tied having played in the competition in the group stage for Liverpool this season.
Barcelona Likely XI – (4-1-3-2) – Ter Stegen, Pique, Umtiti,, Alba, Vidal, Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho, Messi, Suarez.
Our Top Tips:
- Chelsea to win and both teams to score – 5/1 with Coral Sport
- Eden Hazard to score the first goal – 6/1 with Coral Sport
- Correct Score – Chelsea 2-1 Barcelona – 10/1 with Coral Sport
Shakhtar Donetsk v AS Roma
Venue – Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv (40,003)
Shakhtar Donetsk Form – L W W W L W
Shakhtar Donetsk Team News – Shakhtar will be without veteran defender Dario Srna and midfielder Maksym Malayshev for this game. Their creative impetus comes from a quartet of talented Brazilian midfielder led by Manchester City and Chelsea target Fred, with the attack spearheaded by Argentinean striker Facundo Ferreyra.
Shakhtar Donetsk Likely XI – (4-5-1) – Pyatov, Butko, Ordets, Ismaily, Rakitskiy, Stepenanko, Marlos, Taison, Fred, Bernard, Ferreyra.
AS Roma Form – D D L W W W
AS Roma Team News –  Roma have Luca Pellegrini and Rick Karsdorp ruled out for certain through injury while there are fitness doubts over Max Gonalons in midfield. It looks like a choice between El Shaarawy and Perotti to play behind Dzeko in attack while it is likely the midfield will be strengthened with the inclusion of veteran De Rossi to play alongside Nainggolan and Strootman.
AS Roma Likely XI – (4-4-1-1) – Alisson, Fazio, Manolas, Jesus, Kolarov, Nainggolan, Strootman, Pellegrini, De Rossi, Perotti, Dzeko,
Our Top Tips:
- Shakhtar Donetsk v AS Roma – Draw – 9/4 with Coral Sport
- Draw and Both Teams to Score – 10/3 with Coral Sport
- Edin Dzeko to score first–– 9/2 with Coral Sport
Sevilla v Manchester United
Venue – Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (42,500)
Sevilla Form – D D L W W W
Sevilla Team News –  Sevilla have a couple of doubts with injuries with midfield duo Ever Banega and Joaquin Correa both doubtful, though it looks likely the influential Banega will make the game. Rich back Corchia is also a doubt and up front Luis Muriel will likely get the nod ahead of ex-Manchester City star Nolito and on-loan Everton striker Sandro Ramirez.
Sevilla Likely XI – (4-4-2) – Rico, Escudero, Mercado, Kjaer, Lenglet, Banega, Pizzaro, Sarabia, Navas, Ben Yedder, Muriel
Manchester United Form – W W L W L W
Manchester United Team News –  Injuries rule out Danny Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini of this tie, while there are real doubts as to whether Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford will play. If Pogba misses out expect Mata to start in his place. Bailly made his return from injury at the weekend and could be used as an emergency midfielder if Jose feels the need to tighten up defensively.
Manchester United Likely XI – (4-4-2) – De Gea, Valencia, Young, Smalling, Jones.P, Matic, Mata, Martial, Lingaard, Sanchez, Lukaku
Our Top Tips:
- Man Utd to win and both teams to score – 17/4 with Coral Sport
- Romelu Lukaku to score the first goal – 5/1 with Coral Sport
- Ben Yedder to score at any time –– 21/10 with Coral Sport
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