The most difficult draw imaginable for both sides. Manchester City know that traveling to Spain in the first leg will be tricky, and they also know if they can keep this game close, they can bring things back home for the second leg. Real Madrid on the other hand, don’t know how to play defense. This is one of the most attack-heavy teams on the planet, and you do not beat Madrid in UCL without scoring multiple goals. I don’t know who’s going to win this first leg, but I was expecting the goal line to be 3.5 here, and I still would have taken the Over. I expect both teams to contribute to the goal-sheet, in what should be an action packed first leg.

Arsenal will be looking to flip football heritage as they take on a Bayern Munich side who has systematically broken them down time and time again over the years. Right now, the timing is perfect for the Gunners. While Arsenal are continuing to find form in this historic season, their Bavarian opponents are struggling to beat even the weakest of Bundesliga sides. Bayern Munich will be coming into this UCL tie off the back of their worst season in over a decade in the Bundesliga. A combination of problems both on and off the pitch should be the perfect recipe for Arsenal to win the first leg, and to prepare for a defensive battle in the second leg at Allianz Arena.

Now we all know I’m not a fan of playing unders and generally, this is a market I avoid. However, if you see Real Sociedad playing in a match right now, especially on the road, you take the under. Over their six group stage matches, Sociedad conceded only two goals. Since then, the under has hit 8/10 times across all competitions, with only a single goal being scored in their last four matches. This is a team that knows how to prioritize defense, park the bus, and frustrate even the greatest offenses. Expect Sociedad to play five in the back, knowing their chance for goals is more likely in the second leg back home.

A difficult draw is ahead of RB Leipzig, who enter a first-leg matchup against Real Madrid. This matchup is happening at a difficult time for Leipzig as the German side is terribly out of form. Picking up just one win in their last five domestic outings, this side is leaking goals defensively. With the likes of Lois Openda leading the charge for the hosts, this is a team that can put in goals against anyone but defensively is where their issues lie. Players for Real Madrid like Vinicious Jr will rip open the Leipzig defense on the counter. I was shocked the total was set to 2.5 goals, and would have played it at over 3.5 goals.

There's only one way to bet when betting on Atletico Madrid: Bet on goals. This is another must-win for both sides. If either side wins outright, it tops the group. Atletico has been goal-heavy both domestically and in the Champions League. They have 15 goals scored over their five UCL matches while conceding six. While Lazio is a bit more defensive-minded, they won't have that choice with a draw not being good enough. This is another matchup that has the potential to be a goal-heavy thriller.

These clubs are in desperate need of an uptick in form. While Bayern Munich are undefeated in the group stages and already have this group tied up, they are coming off one of their worst domestic club defeats over the past decade. Meanwhile, a broken and confused Manchester United side will be looking to turn things around and keep its UCL dreams alive with a win. Both teams are desperate and trying to prove they belong, which usually equates to goals. With neither side having much to brag about defensively, I'm expecting fireworks.

Group D is halfway done with Salzburg and Benfica having already been eliminated from the Champions League. These clubs have nothing to play for in this matchup and should focus on league play and domestic competitions. With these two teams having been abysmal in attack in the group stage and with both squads expecting to rotate their lineup in this match, I wouldn't be shocked if this is one of those nil-nil matches after 90 minutes. Plus money feels like a gift.

While Copenhagen can be a bit of a fortress to score on when playing at home, I wouldn't be shocked to see at least four goals. Group A is an absolute mess with Bayern Munich already clinching the group, but the second qualifying spot is wide open for the remaining teams. Copenhagen are up one goal on goal differential but are equal on points to Galatasaray, which means if either club wins outright, it advances. I expect nothing but offense from two attack-heavy sides desperate to claim that coveted second spot.

This bet is a simple one. When you see Turkish giants Galatasaray playing at home, you bet on goals. The kings of Turkey have been an absolute terror both domestically and in UCL this season. With a tremendous 26 goals scored in league play and seven already in the UCL, this is a team that doesn't know how to put its foot on the brake. The hosts have also been leaky defensively, allowing an average of more than two goals in their first four UCL matches. With the likes of Mauro Icardi and Wilfried Zaha available for Galatasaray and Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United, I expect to see a high-scoring shootout at RAMS park.

Sevilla remain the only team in Group B without a victory. The La Liga side have struggled both domestically and in UCL and are winless in their last 10 matches. Sevilla managed to draw 2-2 in the reverse fixture against PSV in October but have failed to find consistency, while their opponents have only gotten stronger. PSV are in tremendous form and know that a win here can help solidify their chance to reach the next round. I expect the Dutch kings to prevail on the backs of captain and lead goal scorer Luuk de Jong.

Dortmund find themselves in the bizarre position of not needing to win. Going to the San Siro to play AC Milan, a team that has hit Under 2.5 goals in six of its last seven home games, is never easy. We should expect Dortmund to park the bus early and play for a result similar to the one they had in the reverse fixture, which ended 0-0.

Play in the Group of Death continues with PSG looking for revenge against Newcastle playing at home in front of their fans at Parc des Princes. This is a must-win for both sides with some of the best attackers in the world in the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Alexander Isak. That means that both teams should contribute to the Over.

Shakhtar are home and still have a chance to qualify for the knockout phase with a victory. They're facing an Antwerp side that is 0-4 in the group stage and conceded three times at home in its previous meeting with Shakhtar. This line seems like an absolute gift, and I see Shakhtar winning by multiple goals.

Lazio will host a winless Celtic in Italy on Tuesday. Celtic have nothing but club pride to play for. An abysmal 0-1-3 start has eliminated them from advancing. Meanwhile, Lazio are in a race against Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid and can still top this group. Losing this match is not an option for the Italians.

Arsenal are desperate for a win and take on an equally desperate Sevilla. This game will result in both teams sitting far back and doing everything they can to guarantee they don't concede a silly early goal. A low-scoring win for the Gunners could be in store with both sides featuring way too many significant offensive players with injuries.