The Champions League is back in action this week, as we now move into the quarter finals, with several huge clashes for us to enjoy and savour. Of course, the last 16 saw a total wipe out for the Premier League, as the last three English sides in the competition fell. That has lessened the interest for many, but it’s still hard to ignore top class football between the very best in Europe.
And, if you need to, you can always have a bet on the proceedings to heighten your interest. There are four great games spread over two nights in midweek, and we’ll get to see the first big tests for some of the favourites to lift the trophy. Here we have previews for each of the quarter final first legs, and we have betting tips for each match, which should give you a reason to watch if your team has already been knocked out.
Tuesday 14th April 2015
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (19:45) – Both teams to score (10/11 with Coral)
Tuesday night gives us a rematch of last season’s final, with this being just the second time the two sides have met in European competition. This is the seventh Madrid derby of the season, after they met in the league, cup and Supercup earlier this term. The two sides should know each other fairly well, and it’s likely that Real will have their recent 4-0 defeat in their last game at Atleti at the very front of their minds here. A result like that in this first leg, and Real may as well kiss their trophy goodbye.
Apart from last season’s Champions League final, Atletico have had the better of recent games against their rivals. They’ve won both the league matches this season and knocked Real out in the Copa del Rey. The Spanish champions may be off the pace at the top of the table, but they do seem to have the edge over their city rivals. Can they repeat that here, or is it a game too far? It does look like a tough one to call, but you’d have to say Atletico are very well priced. Both teams to score looks to be the best way to go here, at just under evens with most bookies.
Juventus v Monaco (19:45) – Juventus -1 (11/8 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal’s conquerors Monaco face a tough task in the quarter finals, as they head to Italian champions Juventus. Arsenal’s collapse in the home leg allowed Monaco a comfortable cushion in their last 16 meeting, but it would be hard to see the same fate happening to Juve here. They’re a lot more organised at the back, and they have the knowhow to win big matches like these. Monaco, on the other hand, simply don’t.
This is their first season in the Champions League for years, and despite making it this far, few would back them to shock Juventus here. Juve have promised much in the last few years, but they’ve fallen short in Europe on a couple of occasions. This looks to be the perfect chance for them to get in to the final four, and possibly go even further. There is a real gap in quality between these two, with Monaco having lost Radamel Falcao and James in the summer, and that should tell here as long as Juventus keep their focus. The Italians are very short odds, but they look like great value on the -1 handicap.
Wednesday 15th April 2015
PSG v Barcelona (19:45) – Both teams to score (5/6 with BetVictor)
Wednesday night sees a clash between two sides who put out English opposition in the last round, and both have eyes on a place in the final in June. Barcelona are favourites here, but would it really be a shock if PSG were able to get through? After beating Chelsea, Laurent Blanc’s side should be considered dark horses in the competition at least. Both of these sides seem to be picking up form at just the right time for a title push, and hopefully they’re both at the top of their game in this one and can deliver a feast for us neutrals.
That could lend itself to being a very end to end game here, one unlike many cagey Champions League battles we see. These two did meet in the group stages, and these encounters were goal filled ties as well. Each side won once, with Barcelona just edging it on the head to head record. They’ve both improved since then, so it’s hard to pick a winner here, or over the two legs. However, one thing you can say about both is that they’re hardly reliable at the back. They’re both capable of conceding goals against decent opposition, and you’d imagine the strike forces on show here will both find a way through. Both teams to score is once again the way to go, at a very tempting price, too.
Porto v Bayern Munich (19:45) – Bayern Munich win (3/4 with Betfair)
This tie does look to be a bit of a mismatch, with Bayern massive favourites to progress through to the semi finals once more. The Germans have been the most impressive side in the competition this season, and it would be no surprise to see them win it. They come to Porto knowing that the hosts have a very good home record, but it’s hard to see that continuing against the 2013 winners.
Bayern did offer their rivals a glimmer of hope away from home in the last round, as they probably blew a few accumulators with a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. They went on to win the tie 7-0 at home though, so they’re at the top of their game right now. Pep Guardiola will be on the hunt for his third Champions League win, and they should easily make it through to the semi finals here. Bayern are quite good value here at 3/4 and they should be able to take an early advantage in Portugal.