Andrew Wilsher
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The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League Last 16 stage rolls on on Wednesday with the conclusion of the first legs. Wrapping us up this week are Portuguese club Porto hosting Arsenal, while Barcelona head to Italy to take on Napoli. Our soccer experts have best bets for each of those games, with both scheduled to kick off at 3:00 pm ET on Paramount+. You can also check out our soccer predictions for more Champions League picks as well as our EPL best bets each week, including our Liverpool vs Luton predictions for their Wednesday afternoon game.
Porto vs Arsenal best bet: Arsenal ML & Over 1.5 Goals (+105)
Arsenal meet Porto in the Last 16 of the Champions League with the pair suffering a combined 17 exits at this stage of the competition. However,the Gunners should feel confident of avoiding a 10th defeat at this point, having won each of their last 5 games. On top of that, Porto have been eliminated in 7 of their 8 Champions League clashes with English sides, including when Arsenal bested them in the last 16 in 2010. Take the Gunners to secure another smooth victory in this first leg.
Read our full Porto vs Arsenal predictions
Napoli vs Barcelona best bet: Barcelona ML (+145)
Napoli tied with Genoa at the weekend and Serie A’s 9th-placed team could be in for another rough day as they host Barcelona. Napoli have struggled since former head coach Luciano Spalletti left, with just 1 win in their last 5 and having lost 6 times already this season at home. Barcelona have had their own issues this season but have improved of late, and should have total focus on this competition with them 8 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga. Barca have won 3 and tied 1 in their last 4 games, and have won 4 of their last 5 road games. Go with the visitors to draw first blood in this matchup.
Read our full Napoli vs Barcelona predictions
