Our football pundit previews the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals which take place on Tuesday 3 April and Wednesday 4 April 2018.
UEFA Champions League action returns with a bang tonight as the quarter-finals get underway! Barcelona are favourites to win the competition but its far from over with the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool still gunning for glory!
Tuesday 3 April
Sevilla 17/4
Draw 31/10
Bayern Munich 11/20
Many would have written Sevilla off in the round of 16 when they came up against Jose Mourinho’s mighty Manchester United! However, the Spaniards clawed their way into the quarter-finals with a hard-fought and well-deserved 2-1 aggregate win over the Red Devils. Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten at home in the Champions League and will look to maintain that record when they come up against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening.
The Bavarians made easy work of Besiktas in the last 16, whipping the Turks 8-1 on aggregate! They were also excellent at the weekend, as the German giants thrashed Borussia Dortmund 6-0 at home – quite the confidence booster coming into this match. Most will feel Bayern should easily deal with the threat of Sevilla but I doubt it will be cut and dry. I’m backing the hosts to keep it tight just as they did against Man United. Get on the Totals – Under 2.5 goals – at 5/4!
Juventus 21/10
Draw 22/10
Real Madrid 13/10
In a repeat of last season’s UEFA Champions League final, Juventus will take on Real Madrid in what looks to be a mouth-watering contest! The Old Lady – like last season – were in tremendous form before playing the reigning champions, only for Real Madrid to run amok. Juve have been outstanding on their ground this season and will be determined to utilize home advantage.
Real Madrid weren’t at their very best in the group stages as Tottenham surprisingly claimed top spot in Group H! However, Los Blancos have been in top form in the league in recent weeks with four wins on the spin. Real Madrid are going for a third consecutive Champions League crown and will not relinquish their title that easily. Nonetheless, I still feel Juventus have been much more disciplined this season and are tipped to come out on top.
Wednesday 3 April
Barcelona 2/9
Draw 52/10
Roma 10/1
Barcelona are unbeaten in the La Liga after 30 rounds of football and are undefeated in the Champions League. The Catalan giants won four of their six matches before ousting Chelsea 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16! Lionel Messi and co. have wreaked havoc on anybody who has stood in their way this season and I doubt this will be any different.
Roma progressed to the quarter-finals after drawing 2-2 with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk but going through on the away goals rule. The Italians will know they need to be more solid and organised against Barca and hope to catch them on the counter. However, I just can’t see Roma keeping the Blaugrana at Bay and with that being said, the home side are tipped to Win to Nil at 9/10.
Liverpool 18/10
Draw 5/2
Manchester City 27/20
Last but not least, Liverpool and Manchester City will go toe-to-toe in an all English quarter-final. The Reds are looking like the five-time Champions League holder’s we all know them to be. Jurgen Klopp’s men glided through the group stages unbeaten, scoring 23 goals and conceding just six times, before blasting Porto away in the last 16, winning 5-0 on aggregate!
Manchester City have been brilliant under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. The Citizens waltzed through the group stages with five wins from six matches. They then came up against Swiss side FC Basel, who they easily dispatched 5-2 on aggregate. Both sides thrive on attacking football so we can expect an end-to-end game of football, including all the thrills and spills that come with it. The Totals – Over 2.5 goals – should be backed at 6/10! Get on!
QUAD TIPPED @ 20/1
Sevilla v Bayern Munich Under 2.5 goals 5/4
Juventus Win 21/10
Barcelona Win to Nil 9/10
Liverpool v Man City Over 2.5 Goals 6/10
