UEFA Champions League Picks Today: UCL Predictions for March 17

If you’ve been following my Champions League picks, you know that I try to stick to reasonable picks at around +100 odds. However, I can’t resist the +450 available for Real Madrid in this match.

For a start, the Spanish side will be in control of the tie after winning 3-0 in the first leg, so all the pressure will be on Manchester City to deliver. Furthermore, this would allow Madrid to set up for counters, which has been a problem for the English side this year.

They leave too much space open at the back, which doesn’t bode well against Real. We saw how Vini Jr. and Valverde hurt City in the first leg, and the team will have Mbappe and Bellingham back in the squad for the second leg.

I expect a close game for 60 minutes or so, but at some point the hosts will be forced to take big risks. This is when Real can strike on the counter to win the second leg as well. This scenario is certainly more likely than the odds suggest, making this one of the best Champions League betting picks today.

Arsenal are favored to progress from the tie against Bayer Leverkusen, despite struggling in the first leg. The Gunners eventually got a late draw, so any win at home should suffice on Wednesday.

I expect them to achieve their goal, but I don’t expect it to be easy. Leverkusen will again play with five at the back, looking to deny space and frustrate their opponents. The German side was successful in the first match, and most Arsenal games have been close in the past few months.

On top of that, the Gunners are patient and heavily rely on their defense, so it should be tight and nervy for most of the game. While I expect to eventually see a goal or two from Arsenal, the first half should be rather tight.

I expected the totals line for the opening half to be set at 1 goal, so I’m more than happy to take the under 1.25 goals available for -110.