UCL predictions: Barca and United in a Titans clash, Suarez to punish Reds, targetman Mane, City quadruple hopes
Suarez a thorn in United's side
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done wonders so far at Man Utd but just recently things haven't quite gone his way. And with a couple of notable exceptions, this is certainly one of the toughest fixtures he's had to face so far.
Add in a few injuries and his inexperience in terms of managing big Champions League games and United fans would have good reasons to start fearing the worst here. After all, if PSG could school the Reds at home then you'd think Barcelona can as well. So it might just be worth taking the evens on Barcelona winning this against a side who have lost three of their last four games in all competitions.
Barcelona haven't lost in 16 matches and that run included a brace of away wins against Real Madrid in two separate competitions and a 2-0 victory just this Saturday against the ever-resilient Atletico Madrid.
Luis Suarez won't be winning many popularity contests in the Manchester area but then again he's not the sort of player who opposition fans have ever liked, is he?
He's also the sort of player who will be at his best in a hostile environment where he has a point to prove. It's now seven from his last nine that he's scored in and that includes getting on the scoresheet in each of his last two games.
As ever, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi but that might just play into the Uruguyan's hands and he's a considerably bigger price anyway so at 2.37, it's a good choice to go with the former Liverpool man.
Mane can score but so can Porto
Porto won't have fond memories of this fixture from last year in the Champions League given that Liverpool absolutely wiped the floor with them in the first leg in Portugal before 'chilling out' and playing out a goalless draw in the second leg back at Anfield.
Is there anything to make us think it will be different this time round? Well, yes. That first leg was a freak occurrence and if anything, Liverpool haven't been quite as fluent in attack as they were this time last year.
And they haven't been particularly great in defence, either. It's been a while since they've kept a clean sheet and Sergio Conceicao will know as well as the rest of us that failing to score at Anfield means that the tie is effectively over.
Porto have been scoring quite a few recently and though you could easily argue that the Portuguese league isn't anywhere near the standard of the Premier League leaders, it's not that far-fetched that they could get a goal here given that the likes of Southampton and Fulham managed one over the past week or so. It's 2.05(Bookmaker Ratings)that both teams get on the scoresheet and that's the first part of our bet.
Sadio Mane is finally showing his true potential after being the least high-profile of Liverpool's famed front three and is perhaps in the form of his life. He has all the weapons to be one of the world's top forwards: raw pace, tricks, a good footballing brain and though his finishing isn't in the Ronaldo or Mo Salah category, it's still pretty good.
Porto's defenders, including the 35 year old veteran Pepe, aren't blessed with great speed and sooner or later you'd think that a ball over the top or splitting the defence along the ground will leave the Senegalese one on one with the keeper. But any goal will do us just fine and a 2.10 it's worth chancing that he gets one. Especially since it's now eight in his last seven for Liverpool.
Can Spurs end City's quadruple dreams?
Spurs have lost three in a row to Man City. They have lost four of their last seven games in all competitions. City on the other hand have won 13 of their last 14, keeping seven clean sheets in the past nine too.
The quadruple is on and Kevin de Bruyne is back doing Kevin de Bruyne things again, like setting up Gabriel Jesus' winner in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton. His return at this stage of the campaign feels almost unfair.
What is the case for Spurs then? Mauricio Pochettino has led Spurs to victory over City before. City have found the quarter-finals a glass ceiling in Guardiola's time in charge. They went out to Liverpool last year and have lost all four of their European ties against English opposition.
Spurs have had a week's rest and can harness the effect of a jaw-dropping new stadium. In terms of a boost, it's their equivalent of having de Bruyne back and on form. With that in mind, taking a home win or draw is definitely worth considering at 4.35 and 3.88 respectively.
The Old Lady mustn't underestimate Ajax
Juventus remain optimistic but Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Wednesday's game in Amsterdam. The loss is mitigated somewhat by the rise of Moise Kean. The teenager keeps winning game for his club. Kean was at it again on Saturday, coming off the bench to decide Juventus' clash with Milan in much the same way he did against Empoli the previous weekend. He has now scored in five consecutive games for club and country.
Ajax, meanwhile, keep going from strength to strength. After reopening the title race in Holland with an impressive 3-1 win over PSV, they trounced Emmen 5-2 in midweek and then Willem II 4-1 on Saturday. Aside from right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who is suspended for the first leg, coach Erik Ten Hag can choose from a full complement of players.
The exchange makes Juventus favourites to qualify. Odds of a win at the Johan Cruyff Arena are 2.25. It reflects perhaps the run Juventus went on between the end of last season and the beginning of this one when they beat Spurs at Wembley, Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Valencia at Mestalla and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Since then though the Old Lady has lost her last two away games in this competition and Ajax play exactly the kind of up'em at'em style that causes Max Allegri's side problems. Ajax need only look at the mistake Leonardo Bonucci made at the weekend to be confident that playing a high press will bear fruit.
Juventus should have enough to qualify. But the first game in Amsterdam could be the stage of another Ajax show. Bet on Ajax with 3.52 if you want to test your betting skill.
Source: Betfair