The Champions League has reached the quarter-finals! All four games are being played this week as one-off matches in Portugal. Who will make the semis? Read my predictions below and place your bets here.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich – Friday 14 August
What a game we have on Friday night! Two of the world’s “Super Clubs” go toe-to-toe in a bid to reach the last four of the Champions League. Barcelona defeated Napoli to get here but their season has been uninspiring so far. They look jaded and recent signings have failed to spark a rebuild since the departures of Andres Iniesta and Xavi. However, with Lionel Messi in your team, anything is possible.
Bayern Munich are currently second favourites to win the tournament on our website, and for good reason. Robert Lewandowski is in monstrous form, with 57 goals in 50 appearances for club and country. They dispatched Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate and they must feel confident coming into this game. I’m backing a Bayern Munich Win at odds of 2.00. If you like correct scores, I think this could end 1-3.
Atalanta v PSG – Wednesday 12 August
Most people are backing PSG to win this tie but I don’t see it being that straight forward. Atalanta have been a revelation this season, scoring goals for fun and entertaining the masses. Fifteen of their last 20 games saw both teams on the scoresheet.
As for PSG, it feels like no one really wants them to do well! They will need to lift the famous trophy in order to gain some respect of football fans across the globe. They may need to win tonight without Kylian Mbappe, who is a doubt with an ankle injury, and Marco Verratti.
The last time PSG failed to score in a Champions League game was back in 2016. Considering the firepower on display with both sides, I think Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.45 is sensible. I think this will end in a 2-2 draw.
RB Leipzig v Atletico Madrid – Thursday 13 August
This is a tough one to call. Atletico Madrid’s experience could give them the edge in a tight encounter. RB Leipzig meanwhile are here for the first time in their history but they have been left short by Timo Werner’s decision to join Chelsea early.
You know what you are getting with Atletico. Defensively sound and difficult to break down. They defeated the holders Liverpool in the last round and I think they will make it to the semi-finals here. I’m going for a narrow 0-1 win and Under 2.5 Goals (1.60)
Manchester City v Lyon – Saturday 15 August
This one should be a formality for Manchester City. They’re priced at 1.25 to win, the lowest odds available on the 1X2 across the quarter-finals. Pep Guardiola’s side must avoid complacency though, as they have not beaten Lyon in two previous meetings.
Olympique Lyonnais lost 2-1 to Juventus in their last game but they went through on aggregate. Despite that, I can’t look past a confident City win. I’m backing Manchester City on Handicap (0:1) at odds of 1.75. My correct score would be 3-1.