Betting Picks

Event: Bordeaux versus Olympiakos

UEFA Champions League

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 15:45 EST

The month of March is one of the best months for sports action. The sports book is full of a variety of games, including basketball and hockey, and baseball spring training. And as selection Sunday has come and gone, March Madness odds are too available as the NCAA tourney gets underway this week.

While there are intriguing events taking place in America, across the ocean the UEFA Champions League and in the second leg of the round of 16, and starting to sort itself out for the quarterfinals.  Bordeaux takes on Olympiakos at home for a chance to move forward after triumphing in Greece two weeks ago by a score of 1-0.

With the lead, however, the pressure is still on Bordeaux to close out the competition and move ahead.  They are the favourites and have home field advantage, and a victory or a draw will give them their first quarterfinal berth in over 20 years.  What adds more pressure on Bordeaux is the fact that they have not played well since besting Olympiakos, particularly at home. A draw against Montpellier and a loss to AJ Auxerre was preceded by a road draw against AS Monaco.

A crumbling lead in the Ligue 1 table could serve as a bit of a distraction for Bordeaux as they compete the Champions league.  They will however, welcome captain Alou Diarra to the field after he played he first game back from injury against Monaco.

Despite the pressure on Bordeaux, history does not favour Olympiakos.  Only once has a team advanced to the quarterfinals after losing the first leg of the competition at home, a feat that was accomplished nearly 15 years ago. What’s more, in the competition, Olympiakos has only won two matches away from home; the last time they found success on the road was three years ago.

They are also struggling in their Greek League, six points out of first and in danger of not winning the league for only the second time in 13 years.

Michael Ciani scored the lone goal for Bordeaux in the first leg, but Olympiakos played well and nearly took an early lead as Olof Mellberg headed a free kick just wide of the goal post. To have a shot at the quarterfinals, they will need to strike early and take out the French crowd.

Pick: Bordeaux may feel the pressure, but being so close to a birth and feeling the support of a home crowd should help them to the quarterfinals.  Olympiakos is simply overmatched and has very little momentum and confidence on the road.  Bordeaux will move on to the quarterfinals with a victory in front of their fans.

The game is just one of many soccer matches on the slate this week, with Premiership action underway on the weekend. Sportsbook reviews will help keep all the games and odds in order.  The NHL and NBA are all heading towards the playoffs, and you can also bet on March Madness and enjoy one of the most exciting sporting months of the year.