On Monday and Tuesday this week, the quarterfinal ties in the Europa League were played out and we now know that Inter Milan will face Shakhtar Donetsk in one semifinal, while the other sees a mouthwatering clash between Manchester United and the most successful Europa League side of all-time in Sevilla. Now though, over the next four nights, the action switches to focus on events taking place in the Champions League, with eight teams battling it out for a place in the last four.
Many of European football’s biggest teams like Paris St Germain, Man City, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have reached this stage, while the likes of Atalanta have surprised many to come this far into the tournament. With matches played over one-leg, with extra time and penalties used, if required, to decide the winner all teams know that a win is a must.
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Now that we have our selection of places to bet, let’s take a closer look at the four games taking place this week in the Champions League. One quarterfinal will be played each day from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th August, each game kicking off at 8pm in Lisbon, Portugal. The first and third quarterfinal ties will be played at Benfica’s Stadium of Light, with the second and fourth ties, taking place at Sporting Lisbon’s Estadio Jose Alvelade.
Champions League Quarterfinals
Wed – Atalanta v Paris St Germain
Full Time Result Odds – Atalanta 13/5, PSG 10/11., Draw 3/1
Atalanta have done incredibly well to reach this stage, especially after losing their first three group games. Their freescoring attack has been a sensation in Serie A this season and they have the firepower to give PSG a few concerns.
That said, the French side are really focused on winning this trophy after several disappointing outcomes in recent seasons and I feel they have so much experience and quality that they will do just enough to get the job done in what should be an open and freescoring game if any of Atalanta’s previous matches are anything to go by.
Our Tips – I expect a few goals in this one, so I am backing Paris St Germain to win (10/11) this game by a 4-2 scoreline (33/1) chiefly because Atalanta score so many goals, PSG will have to do likewise to match them. Neymar at even money, with Mbappe not likely to be fully fit, is the best choice in the anytime goalscorer market.
Thu – Atletico Madrid v Red Bull Leipzig
Full Time Result Odds – At.Madrid 27/20, R.B Leipzig 23/10, Draw 21/10
Having knocked out last year’s finalists Liverpool and Tottenham, both these teams will have hopes of at least a semifinals spot, but I think Red Bull could be the team to miss out this year, ostensibly because their main attacking threat in the competition, Timo Werner will miss out because he is now a Chelsea player.
That is a huge loss and I think plays massively into the hands of Atletico Madrid. A solid defensive outfit, Simeone’s team have been not quite at their best this season but still have picked up big results every now and then and I can see them eking their way to another vital win here.
Our Tips – Back Atletico Madrid to win this one (27/20) and I think a 1-0 scoreline (6/1) is a great value bet given that both sides are strong defensively. For a goalscorer, Saul Niguez at 11/2 is a frequent scorer of key goals for Atletico from midfield.
Fri – Bayern Munich v Barcelona
Full Time Result Odds – Bayern M 19/20, Barcelona 12/5, Draw 3/1
This is a game that could have graced the final. Bayern have been in sensational form of late and it is because of that they start this game the strong favourites, even against a Barcelona team that has Messi and Suarez lined up to start in attack.
You cannot discount Barcelona due to the quality of their attack alone but it is hard to see that leaky Spanish defence having enough to keep this rampant Bayern side out. But by the same token, I fancy Messi and Suarez to get some joy against a Bayern defence that has not been tested much of late. As such, I would not be surprised if this one needed extra time and maybe even penalties to decide the winner.
Our Tips – This should be a cracker and I think it is going to be a lot closer than the bookies suggest. Barcelona are built for games like this and I think they’ll give Bayern a real test. I fancy this to end in a draw (3/1), possibly by a 2-2 scoreline (11/1) and if I was to pick a goalscorer, Serge Gnabry’s a very solid pick at 13/10, or even Lionel Messi, who is an even money shot and an equally good value option.
Sat – Manchester City v Lyon
Full Time Results Odds – Man City 2/9, Lyon 11/1, Draw 11/2
I have to say that I think the bookies have been a little unkind to Lyon. They are much better than the 11/1 odds suggest against City here, especially when you consider in their two games played last season, they beat City at the Etihad and drew in the return leg in Lyon. Also, they beat Juventus to reach this stage who are certainly no mugs in this competition.
City though are on a mission to land this trophy and having missed out on the Premier League, I do feel that they have enough quality to get the win here, though I feel it may require them to go to extra time to do so.
Our Tips – It’s not often I think the bookies get things wrong, but I feel they have been way too favourable to Man City here. Lyon are no mugs, they beat Juventus and have drawn and beaten Man City in their two past games. This is another game I think could well be a draw (11/2) and which may go to extra time. 1-1 I think being the most likely score (12/1). I’d back Depay to grab Lyon’s goal at 4/1.
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of 11.30am on Wed 12th August 2020.