After a packed week of Premier League action, attention turns back to Europe as the Champions League quarter finals get under way. While there are a few standout contenders for the trophy, the draw has thrown them together, which makes for a very interesting round of games across Tuesday and Wednesday. Just who will take a big step towards the semis?
Leicester are going to be the focus in England at least, while their game with Atletico Madrid will likely catch the eye of many neutrals. Can they continue their brilliant run in this competition? Elsewhere, trophy hopefuls Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been paired together, as have Juventus and Barcelona. With those huge matches to come, we’ve picked out a betting tip on each of the four games for you to take a look at.
Tuesday 11th April 2017
Borussia Dortmund v Monaco (19:45) – Over 1.5 Monaco goals (6/4 with Bet365)
This tie looks to be the most open of all four quarter-finals, either would be delighted to book a semi-final place. It’s also a clash between two sides who prefer to push forward than sit back, as Monaco showed in their excellent meeting with Manchester City. The Ligue 1 leaders became the first side to qualify from the last 16 having conceded six goals. Meanwhile, Dortmund struggled against Benfica in the previous round. They could have even more problems this time around, as they come into the quarters on the back of a meeting with Bayern Munich.
We can see a huge game like that taking a toll on Dortmund’s young squad, especially as they prepare to face a pacey, direct Monaco team. The Ligue 1 side have been racking up goals for fun this term, which is no surprise given the incredible quality in their attacking ranks. They average 2.9 goals per game in the league, while they scored three in each leg of their tie with Manchester City. We can see them continuing their great form in front of goal, so we’re backing Monaco to score two or more at 6/4 with Bet365.
Juventus v Barcelona (19:45) – Juventus Draw No bet (19/20 with Coral)
This could be a fantastic meeting in Turin, with Juventus aiming to back up all their recent talk. The Italian champions see themselves on the same level as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and their quarter-final opponents. They have the chance to prove that, especially as this Barcelona side aren’t at their best this season. While everyone still raves about their comeback against PSG, there’s little talk of how they got in to such a bad position against the French champions. Their first leg defeat in Paris was an abysmal performance from Barca, something they can’t repeat here.
Barca were allowed back into their last tie after PSG collapsed at the back. They won’t get the same opportunities this week, as they face the strongest defence left in the competition. Juventus were the only team to come through the last 16 without conceding, and their quality and experience at the back will make things difficult for Barca. There are gaps in the Catalans’ defence to exploit, and we’re backing Juventus to find a way through that back line. We’re backing Juve to win on the draw no bet market, at 19/20 with Coral.
Wednesday 12th April 2017
Atletico Madrid v Leicester (19:45) – Both teams to score (6/4 with Coral)
Leicester’s incredible Champions League campaign continues on Wednesday night, as they travel to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid. The Premier League champions knocked out Sevilla last time out, but they face a much tougher challenge. The worry for the Foxes is that they’re facing another side who are comfortable without the ball. Will that force Leicester into taking the game to Atleti in the first leg, or will Diego Simeone’s men try and dominate the game? They’ve been more attacking this season, so they should try and end this tie in the first meeting, as they did against Bayer Leverkusen.
The Foxes caught Sevilla on the break in the last round, and we can see them pulling off a sucker punch in the Spanish capital on Wednesday. The hosts are strong at the back, but this is going to be a very different test for Simeone and co. We have no doubt that Atletico can get forward and score against this open Leicester defence, but we’re backing both teams to score when they meet on Wednesday. That seems like great value and is priced at 6/4 with Coral.
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid(19:45) – Bayern Munich to win (17/20 with Betfair)
The biggest game of the week pits the European champions against the 2013 winners, as two former colleagues meet. Zinedine Zidane wouldn’t be where he is now without Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti, who promoted him to assistant manager while at the Bernabeu. That doesn’t mean Zidane will feel like he owes the Italian coach, but it will be interesting to see how they line up against each other. Zidane doesn’t seem to overcomplicate things, but can he find a way to take advantage of Ancelotti’s set up? It would be a huge step towards becoming the first side to retain the Champions League.
However, one thing which Zidane can’t stop is Ancelotti’s changes in regards to Bayern’s fitness. Instead of pushing them as Pep Guardiola did, the former Chelsea boss promised to lay off his side so they peak at the end of the campaign. Judging by their 10-2 win over Arsenal, he’s done exactly that. They should build on those two fantastic wins over the Gunners, and we’re backing them to see off Real Madrid on Wednesday night. It would be a huge first leg advantage, and the German champions look like great value at 17/20 with Betfair.