This weekend, we see some of the tournament favorites on showcase with Bayern Munich facing Barcelona in Lisbon, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City continue to chase their first UEFA Champions League trophy with a stern test against Lyon in the same city.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Europe’s elite competition certainly didn’t disappoint on its return with some of the big guns showing their class to ease through to the quarter-finals, while we also witnessed the fall of Juventus, Real Madrid and Chelsea, who were eliminated from the Champions League.
Friday 14 August
Barcelona 24/10
Draw 28/10
Bayern Munich 19/20
After an emphatic display in their second leg against Napoli, Barcelona face their toughest test yet in the UEFA Champions League, this time, in the form of Bayern Munich. Barca showed that you can never write them off, especially while Lionel Messi, arguably the best footballer on the planet, still plays in their colours. Not often would see you Barcelona at such a high price, but when you take a closer look at their opponents, it makes perfect sense.
Bayern Munich were unbeaten in the Bundesliga since December, winning the title and currently ride a 19-match win streak after they overcame Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate. The Bavarians have the best young talents in world football, perfectly blended with the experience in key areas, most notably with Robert Lewandowski, who is the top scorer in the Champions League, while many would have tipped the Polish striker to win the Ballon d’Or this year. Both clubs have the pedigree at this stage of the competition, but with Bayern looking the more in-form team coming into this tie, I’ll side with the Bavarians.
Saturday 15 August
Manchester City 1/4
Draw 47/10
Lyon 9/1
Manchester City passed their biggest hurdle in the UEFA Champions League, ousting Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate, beating the Spanish champions 2-1 both home and away. Pep Guardiola’s men have the ultimate chance to break their barren run in the Champions League and have a fairly favourable tie against Lyon in the quarter-finals, despite the French side’s superb efforts in the last round to eliminate Juventus.
Rudi Garcia’s men have still had a disappointing season though, finishing seventh in Ligue 1, with the feeling that their run in the Champions League could be over. Man City were ultra-impressive over two legs against Real Madrid who had all the pedigree in the world, now against a team with very little history on their side, much like themselves, the Citizens should triumph. My money is on City to Score In Both Halves at 9/10.
DOUBLE @ 5/2
Bayern Munich Win 19/20
Man City Score Both Halves 9/10
Written by Jesse Nagel for Hollywoodbets
