CONCACAF Champions League 1st Leg Betting Prediction: 2/7 Games

The 16-team CONCACAF Champions League field is set, with some of the best club soccer teams in North and Central America set to take the pitch. With a spot in the Club World Cup awaiting the winner of this tournament, there is plenty on the line as teams from MLS and Liga MX square off with the rest of the continent.

Here, we look at the first matchday of the tournament, featuring three MLS sides taking on teams from outside of the United States. Keep reading for CONCACAF Champions League odds odds, analysis, and a free pick for Chelsea versus Dortmund.

CONCACAF Champions League 1st Leg: 2/7 Games

Violette vs. Austin FC

Violette vs. Austin FC Game Info | Updated Concahchmapions Odds
What: Round of 16 · Leg 1 of 2
When: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm ET
Where: Estadio Cibao, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic

The first match on the Tuesday schedule in the CONCACAF Champions League features Austin FC, as they take on Haitian side Violette AC. Violette has won this tournament before, all the way back in 1984. They are unlikely to do so again, but they will hope to start their campaign this time around with a surprising result over debutantes Austin FC.

For Austin FC, and the rest of the MLS teams in this tournament, the question is always going to be how seriously they take the CONCACAF Champions League. While the Club World Cup is a nice reward for winning this tournament, MLS teams have not always put their best into this event, especially in the early stages. On the road in Haiti, it will be interesting to see if Austin FC puts any of its key players into this match and how their lineup choices impact their chances.

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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Alianza FC vs Philadelphia Union

Alianza FC vs Philadelphia Union Game Info | Updated Concahchmapions Odds
What: Round of 16 · Leg 1 of 2
When: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador, El Salvador

Another MLS team set to go on the road to face an opponent from Central America is the Philadelphia Union. They will take on Alianza FC from El Salvador to open up their CONCACAF Champions League knockout campaign. The outcome of this match could also depend on how much stock Philadelphia puts into the proceedings, as they should beat this team handily, but you never know what kind of lineup an MLS team will use in this tournament.

The Union have split their first two matches of this MLS season, getting a win in their opener against the Columbus Crew before losing to Inter Miami. Alianza, meanwhile, has yet to lose in their club campaign in El Salvador, winning five matches and settling for a draw in four matches as well. This could be a tougher game than anticipated for last season’s MLS Cup runners-up on the road.

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UANL Tigres vs Orlando City

UANL Tigres vs Orlando City Game Info | Updated Concahchmapions Odds
What: Round of 16 · Leg 1 of 2
When: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Estadio Universitario, Monterrey, Mexico

The final match on the Tuesday schedule in the CONCACAF Champions League pits Orlando City against UANL Tigres of Liga MX. Mexican clubs have dominated this tournament historically, winning 13 of the 14 iterations of the event since it became the CONCACAF Champions League. Tigres will look to continue that trend by kicking off their campaign with a home win over an opponent from MLS.

This MLS season has been good to Orlando City in the early going, as they have four points from their first two games. They beat the New York Red Bulls in their opener, before splitting the points with Cincinnati in their second match. Getting any sort of result in this match would certainly be encouraging, given the history between Mexican and American clubs in this tournament.