While we have seen plenty of European clashes over the last week or so, none of them will compare to the week we have in store. After a round of international friendlies cut down the betting markets and bored plenty, club football is making its return. This week, the Champions League quarter finals get under way, with sides fighting it out for the biggest club trophy in the world.
The offering this week is pretty mixed, as the draw worked out reasonably well for most of the big sides. Right now, we look to have four heavy favourites for the semi-finals, but could we see any shocks? We’ll be asking that question, as well as picking out our best bets on the midweek games.
Tuesday 5th April 2016
Barcelona v Atletico (19:45) – Barca to win to nil (23/20 with Coral)
We start with the all-Spanish affair at the Camp Nou, as Barcelona take on Atletico. This is a massive week for the La Liga leaders, as they come into this game on the back of El Clasico. That huge match will slightly overshadow this clash, a repeat of a 2014 quarter final, which Atletico won as they upset the odds and reached the final. They might be a very different side now, facing a much improved Barca, but is there any way that Atletico could find a way into the semis?
Atletico were knocked out by Real Madrid at this stage last season, and this looks like another exit for them. While they’re doing well in La Liga, they can’t get near Barca right now. Add to that their poor showing home and away to PSV in the previous round, and Diego Simeone’s men have quite a mountain to climb. Barcelona aren’t usually great at the back, but this Atletico side really lack goals. In a game where they’ll see very little of the ball, we don’t see them scoring. A home win and clean sheet is our bet for this one.
Bayern Munich v Benfica (19:45) – Bayern Munich -2 (6/4 with Sky Bet)
Bayern Munich were effectively handed a bye in the draw, given the gulf in quality between the two. The Portuguese side did just about enough to make it through their last 16 tie against Zenit St Petersburg. They managed to win home and away, but did it without looking very good. They scored late at home in the first leg, when Zenit hadn’t played competitively for months. In the second, their winner came after the Russians were already out. Rarely did Benfica look like a side good enough to make it this far.
Bayern can count themselves lucky too, given how their last 16 game went. They were 2-0 down to Juventus, and the Italians could have put the game to bed. The German champions shouldn’t have that much trouble here, as this isn’t a Benfica team who are going to cause them much stress. They hammered Porto 6-1 here last season, and they should get another big win this time around. This is Bayern’s chance to put the game to bed early, a chance they squandered against Juve. Don’t expect them to make that mistake again. They should win big here, so we’re going with a -2 handicap on Guardiola’s men.
Wednesday 6th April 2016
PSG v Man City (19:45) – Both teams to score (19/20 with Coral)
If there is to be a shock in the quarters, this is the best chance there is. The gap between these two is smaller than in any of the rest of the ties, which should make this a very interesting game. It’s certainly a better match up than the other contest on Wednesday night. The obvious comparison to make here is between Chelsea and City. PSG knocked the Blues out in the last round, will they be able to do the same to City? Either way, one of these sides will be making the semis for the first time ever.
This is City’s first quarter final in this competition, after they blew away Dynamo Kiev. The Ukrainians were also a side who Chelsea faced, and City dealt with them a lot better, boding well for the Mancunians here. Even though City are in poor form domestically, we expect them to put up a fight on the bigger stage. The Blues were outclassed against PSG, but City really shouldn’t be suffering the same fate. We’re backing Manuel Pellegrini’s men to at least get an away goal to take back to the Etihad for the second leg. Both teams to score here is our bet, which is just under evens with Coral.
Wolfsburg v Real Madrid (19:45) – Real win and both team to score (11/5 with Bet365)
Yet another mismatched game at this stage sees Real Madrid come here as heavy favourites to go through. While Real and Bayern will be delighted with these ties, it would have been interesting to pit the two underdogs up against each other. Instead, we’re left with a Real Madrid side who have had an average season, but they’re expected to easily claim a spot in the Champions League semi finals. Could Zinedine Zidane lead his Real side to European glory, or are they just here thanks to a few good draws?
Against the likes of Bayern or even Atletico, Real would probably struggle. Wolfsburg shouldn’t be too much of a problem, as they are having an awful season. They sit eighth in the Bundesliga, with little hope of making this competition next season. Their Champions League run has carried them so far, but it’s set to end here. Real should get a win that puts them in the driving seat, but we aren’t backing them for a clean sheet. Roma should have put a few past them in the last 16, but we think Wolfsburg will do much better. An away win and BTTS is our tip at 11/5 with Bet365.