The Champions League continues this midweek. See the latest outright betting and games here.

Real Madrid are confident of beating Liverpool in their last 16 first leg on Wednesday.

The Spaniards have hit form with seven straight victories while Liverpool have stuttered in recent weeks winning only two of their last eight games.

“I want to win and we are going to do it in both legs,” said Real’s former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

Although the sides have lifted the trophy 14 times between them and faced each other in the 1981 final – a match won 1-0 by Liverpool – they meet at the Bernabeu for the first time.

Real have won their last nine league games, scoring 22 goals and conceding only two since ex-Tottenham boss Juande Ramos replaced Bernd Schuster as coach on 9 December.

They have also cut the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga from 12 points to seven.

“In Madrid we’re going to win 3-0, and at Anfield (10 March) we’ll also win 2-1 because they’ll open up and we’ll overrun them,” said the club’s interim president Vicente Boluda.

Ramos, whose side thrashed Real Betis 6-1 on Saturday, added: “I think it’s more an atmosphere of optimism than euphoria. We are calm and happy at how things are developing in the league because it gives us security and confidence going into games.

“Maybe some fans are more happy and euphoric than others but the dressing room isn’t like that and I’m happy with the state of the team and the way the players are approaching the game.

“It is a very tough and difficult tie and we have to work hard to get through.”

Real have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in each of the last four seasons, last reaching the quarter-finals in 2004, while Liverpool have won six of their last seven knockout ties against Spanish opposition.

“I see it as being very equal,” said Real striker Raul, the top scorer and most capped player in Champions League history. “We’re a lot better than when the draw came out, while Liverpool have lost a little.

“It’ll be an intense 180 minutes between two teams that know what is at stake. I think the little details could make the difference.”

The Champions League continues this midweek. See the latest outright betting and games here.

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