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The Champions League has passed through it’s usual winter break & the action is all to set to kick off again this week with the first set of 2nd round matches.
The 2nd round is where the Champions League really starts to get very interesting as 16 top class sides now match up against each other in a knock-out format of 8 fantastic 2 legged matches with teams playing home & away.

This season, UEFA have done things slightly different with the games staggered with 4 ties to start this week & then the remaining 4 ties to be started next week.

The 2nd round line up for the Champions League is fascinating & all the matches look set to produce their own drama, quality & entertainment and here are our views on the first 4 2nd round matches with the value betting options we feel are worth consideration:

AC Milan vs Manchester United – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

The creation of contests such as this was the motivation behind the formation of the Champions League and this clash of two massive european super powers such as AC Milan & Manchester United should prove to be a great battle.

Domestic success is of course a combined aim of both AC Milan & Manchester United but the whole ethos of both clubs & the driving force behind them is to be successful in europe so this game represents a truly massive clash that means absolutely everything to everyone connected.

To use a boxing analogy, this is a real heavyweight clash as both AC Milan & Manchester United are loaded with a potent mix of quality, experience & desire to win which guarantees that this match is going to be physically intense, tactical battle with both sets of players very well matched.

AC Milan’s key strength coming into this match is the combination of quality & experience that their midfield & attacking units possess with the likes of Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Gattuso, Ambrosini, Pato, Huntelaar, Borriello, Beckham, Seedort & Inzaghi all possessing the individual ability to win games.

Anyone of that group of players can produce a match winning performances & whichever combination of those players play, they will pose a threat to Manchester United.

The weakness of AC Milan is that their obvious attacking quality does have an impact on their overall solidity & particularly defensively where they are vulnerable to fluent attacking & pace which is clearly a major issue given the threat of Manchester United.

Manchester United come into this 2nd round tie with one clear target of progressing through to the next round & they certainly have a squad capable of doing just that.

Manchester United’s record in the Champions League over the last few years is amazing & they are just so incredibly tough to break down & beat in the Champions League.

Alex Ferguson takes his Manchester United side to Milan knowing they are in truly excellent, winning form and confident in the knowledge that the likes of Rooney, Carrick, Evra, Fletcher, Van De Sar, Ferdinand & Scholes all have proven quality & experience at this level which gives them the confidence to succeed.

The side issue in terms of the media to this match is of course David Beckham coming up against Manchester United for the first time since he left but that should not be a factor for this match & neither side will be affected by that on the pitch once the game kicks off.

The first leg of knock-out ties are usually incredibly tense, competitive & tactical affairs as the first aim is usually to make sure you still have a chance going into the 2nd leg & there has to be a good chance that this game will turn out that way as well.

AC Milan & Manchester United don’t usually draw matches as both are loaded with match winners & somebody usually produces a match winning contribution but this contest looks set to be incredibly competitive as both sides are well matched in terms of quality & both will fear losing so on that basis a competitive, scoring draw packed with quality play looks a value bet worth taking.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: DRAW

Correct Score Options: 1-1/2-2

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Pato/Pirlo/Rooney

Scorecast options: Pato/Pirlo/Rooney score 1st & 1-1/2-2

Double Result: DRAW H/T & F/T

Lyon vs Real Madrid – (Tuesday 7.45pm)

A feast of top class, attacking football looks on the menu here as Lyon & Real Madrid look set to produce what could well be the most entertaining of all the 2nd round matches.

Lyon & Real Madrid both obviously want to win but in many ways, entertaining their fans is just as important & producing positive, attacking football is what drives them on & this match could well produce plenty of goals.

Lyon & Real Madrid scored a combined total of 27 goals in the group stages and come into this match with identical records of 4 wins, 1 draw & 1 defeat from their 6 group stage matches so this looks certain to be a very competitive match.

In terms of strengths & weaknesses then Lyon & Real Madrid are well matched as the great quality they show in attack is their main weapon while defensive fragility is an issue for both teams.

When comparing both Lyon & Real Madrid in terms of quality of squad & overall form this season then Real Madrid clearly come out on top with their array of stars headed by Ronaldo, Kaka & perhaps importantly former Lyon star Benzema who will certainly be extra motivated for this one.

Both Lyon & Real Madrid will come into this game looking to win it so it should be an open, entertaining game of attacking football & goals look guaranteed so for a bet we are looking towards Real Madrid who have a clear edge in terms of attacking quality & they look good value to win this.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Real Madrid to win

Correct Score Options: Real Madrid to win 2-1/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Benzema/Ronaldo/Kaka

Scorecast options: Benzema/Ronaldo/Kaka score 1st & Real Madrid win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Real Madrid H/T & F/T

Bayern Munich vs Fiorentina – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

Fascinating contest in prospect here between Bayern Munich & Fiorentina who experienced different qualifying group stage campaigns but those are quality sides & this should be a cracking contest on the night.

Bayern Munich had a tough & inconsistent group stage campaign which required them to produce a stunning performance to win 4-1 away in Juventus.

That performance showed the true quality within the Bayern Munich side & it really did have a major, positive affect on the team & their performances since then.

Bayern Munich have been in excellent form & come into this match with a good win at the weeken which took them to joint top of the Bundesliga so confidence should be high coming into this match.

Bayern Munich will want a win from this first leg at home to take to the 2nd match in Fiorentina so we are expecting a high tempo, confident approach from Bayern Munich and they certainly do have the quality to do just that.

Fiorentina qualified for the 2nd round with a stunning performance in the group stage to top the group with a record of 5 wins & 1 defeat and that record does mark them down as dangerous opponents worth respect.

However, in terms of recent form, Fiorentina are experiecing a really poor run & they come into this match with a record of 4 defeats & a draw from their previous 5 games in Serie A & team confidence is very low right now.

Fiorentina will be looking to try & achieve a positive result of some kind from this away match but clearly their current poor form makes that a really tough challenge & they will have to show real improvement to do that.

It is dangerous to totally right off Fiorentina given their group record & the quality they have but all the momentum for this match appears to be with Bayern Munich who are in excellent, confident form right now & they do look a rock solid bet to win here.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: Bayern Munich to win

Correct Score Options: Bayern Munich to win 2-0/3-0

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Gomez/Olic/Robben

Scorecast options: Gomez/Olic/Robben score 1st & Bayern Munich win 2-0/3-0

Double Result: Bayern Munich H/T & F/T

FC Porto vs Arsenal – (Wednesday 7.45pm)

We have a cracking game in prospect here as Arsene Wenger takes his talented Arsenal side to face a tough test in Porto & this really could provide entertainment & goals.

FC Porto & Arsenal are two sides committed to playing positive, attacking football so this is going to be fantastic, open contest which should be great to watch as both sides will want to aim for a win.

FC Porto are very strong at home but poor away & they know that given how strong Arsenal are at home, they definitely need a win in this first leg to take advantage into the 2nd leg so we are expecting Porto to really go for it here.

Porto know that their best chance of beating Arsenal will be to attack them & try to expose their defence which has shown to be vulnerable in recent weeks and the likes of Hulk, Falcao, Gonzalez & Rodriguez have the quality to cause Arsenal real problems.

Arsenal always go into games trying to win by playing positive, attacking football & that is what we expect here as they know a win here will virtually guarantee their qualification.

Arsenal know they have the quality to go to Porto and win but the key to that will be how well they organise themselves defensively because that has been a major weakness in the big matches so far & they will be aware of the threat Porto carry.

Cesc Fabregas is the key performer for Arsenal & how he imposes himself on the match will determine whether they win or not and his role becomes more important in this game with the expected absence of Andrei Arshavin.

We are expecting this to be a really entertaining game as both Porto & Arsenal will look to attack so that should make the game open and any result is possible given the quality on show but we have great respect for Porto at home & they look worth a bet to prove too strong for Arsenal & edge this on the night.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Result: FC Porto to win

Correct Score Options: FC Porto to win 2-1/3-1

First Goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime: Hulk/Falcao/Rodriguez

Scorecast options: Hulk/Falcao/Rodriguez score 1st & Porto win 2-1/3-1

Double Result: Porto H/T & F/T