The Champions League quarter-finals have given us plenty of entertainment so far, and we’re expecting more drama when they return this week. The second legs across Tuesday and Wednesday will decide the final four left fighting for the European Cup, and there’s set to be a few surprise names in there. Can Real Madrid make history by retaining the trophy?
Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in a huge clash on Tuesday night, which is followed up by Barcelona against Juventus. Elsewhere, Leicester are hosting Atletico Madrid as they look to continue their fairy tale run, while Monaco face Borussia Dortmund. Ahead of those huge ties we’ve picked out a betting tip on each, which you can see below.
Tuesday 18th April 2017
Leicester v Atletico Madrid (19:45) – Both teams NOT to score (37/40 with BetVictor)
Leicester’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid last Wednesday has kept them in the tie ahead of the return leg, but they have little hope of getting through. A 1-0 lead – and more to the point a clean sheet – was exactly what Diego Simeone’s men wanted, as they look to finish the job at the King Power. Having made the final twice in the last three years, Atleti have the experience to edge this tight European tie. While the Foxes have a chance, it’s hard to see them getting much out of this game.
Atletico have conceded just seven goals in their last 16 knock out matches, excluding finals. That defensive record has taken them from Spanish also-rans to one of the top sides in Europe, a unit which can threaten the best. They have come within minutes of winning this competition, so we see Leicester’s challenge ending here. The visitors are so strong at the back that we expect them to see off the challenge of Leicester. A clean sheet sends the Spaniards through to the last four, so we’re backing against both teams to score at 37/40 with BetVictor.
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich (19:45) – Real Madrid to win (13/10 with Betfred)
Real Madrid’s 2-1 win in Germany last weekend was a big step towards retaining the Champions League title. Los Blancos are in a great position to win the Champions League in successive seasons, a feat no one has managed in the modern era. It would be an incredible achievement by Zinedine Zidane, who is also set to lead them to the Spanish title. With the ball in their court ahead of the home meeting with Bayern, Real should have little trouble booking a place in the last four. Carlo Ancelotti returns to his former home with a mountain to climb, despite their great recent form.
Bayern had Javi Martinez sent off in the Allianz, while they are already lacking numbers at the back. That makes them vulnerable ahead of this trip, and they know they need to throw everything forward to get back into the tie. The hosts have a team set up perfectly to counter attack, as shown on Wednesday, and they should be able to kill this tie off with a victory. We expect Real to claim home and away wins over Bayern, with the European champions priced at 13/10 with Betfred to win this second leg. A victory here would certainly be a big statement to the rest of Europe.
Wednesday 19th April 2017
Barcelona v Juventus (19:45) – Both teams NOT to score (6/4 with BetVictor)
Barcelona’s heavy defeat in Turin and fans and pundits predicting another remarkable turnaround, but that seems unlikely. Juventus aren’t PSG, they’re a side who will be confident ahead of this second leg. The Italian champions know they have the best defence in the competition, they aren’t a team who are going to throw away three or four goals this week. The visitors will come here to keep Barca’s fantastic front three quiet, and if they do that then a place in the last four is basically assured for the men from Turin. Could Barcelona finally pay for their dodgy away form in the competition this season?
Barcelona have got to be worried by Juve’s defence, which has conceded just two goals in the competition so far. The Catalans need to more than double that tally in order get into the semi-finals. We can’t see this being another remarkable turnaround for Barca, and Juve should be smart enough to kill this tie in the Nou Camp. We would be very surprised if this one was anywhere near as open as that meeting with PSG, so we’re backing against both teams to score. Given how Barcelona were neutralised in the first leg, it looks like excellent value at 6/4 with BetVictor.
Monaco v Borussia Dortmund (19:45) – Monaco to win (19/10 with Bet365)
The first meeting between these two sides was a fantastic affair, with Monaco winning 3-2 away from home. Racking up that many away goals has put the French league leaders in a comfortable position, which they should extend with a goal in the Principality on Wednesday night. Dortmund looked shaky in the first leg, which could have been down to events on Tuesday night. However, they’re going to struggle against a team who have scored three times in each of their last three European games. The hosts’ pacey attack seems to be a threat to any side in this competition.
Dortmund know they have to push forward in the second leg, but they’ve been dodgy on their travels this season. They’ve fallen off the pace in the Bundesliga thanks to poor results on the road, which saw them hammered 4-1 by Bayern Munich recently. Monaco have enough attacking talent to kill this game off, and with Dortmund pushing forward to try and get back in the game, the home side will get a lot of chances to claim the points. We’re backing a home win on Wednesday night, which is priced at 13/10 with Bet365.