Europe Champions League Quarter-finals, 1st Leg (05-06 April)
- Thread starter spkutano
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Benfica vs Liverpool Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Benfica:
Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Mario, Weigl, Everton; Nunez, Yaremchuk
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Jota, Mane, Diaz
Benfica welcome Liverpool to the Estadio da Luz in the first leg of the quarter-final of the Champions League. Most of the people believe the Reds have got the easy route to the Champions League semi-final, but the Portuguese Giants should not be underestimated. Indeed, they haven't lifted an European trophy for 60 years, since 1962. According to many fans, the main reason is connect with the "Curse of Bela Guttmann." The Hungarian coach lead Benfica to European glory in 1961 and 1962. Due to phenomenal performances of the club under Guttmann, he gathered his courage and went to the Benfica board to ask for a pay raise, which was quite normal. But the club officials didn't feel like he deserves it and denied him the raise. In anger and disbelief, Guttmann stormed out of the club and said his final words: "Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champions". At that point, it seemed like a harmless statement from an angry coach frustrated by the decision, but it turned out to be more than just his "opinion". Since then Benfica played a total of eight European finals and lost all of them.
Benfica will try to make another success here. In the previous round they have eliminated Ajax with a 3:2 aggregate victory. The youngster Darwin Nunez was the hero after scoring the decisive goal in Amsterdam. The two former European champions had played out an entertaining 2:2 draw in the first leg, while Benfica secured the progress after Nunez headed home the only goal of the second leg with 13 minutes remaining. He was on target once again in the match against Braga in domestic Primeira on Friday, but his goal was not important as Benfica lost the match. That was the end of a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions and coach Nelson Verissimo must find a way to lift the team confidence. He has three injury worries ahead of this match. The striker Rodrigo Pinho remain sidelined, as well as Lucas Verissimo, while Adel Taarabt, who missed the Braga loss due to an adductor issue, is rated as doubtful.
Liverpool had a perfect record in the group stage of the competition, beating twice AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Porto. The Reds continued that way in the first match of the knock-out phase, beating Inter at Meazza with 2:0. Nevertheless, they missed the opportunity to become the first English club ever to win their opening eight matches of a single Champions League campaign. Quite unexpectedly, the Reds lost 1:0 at Anfield. The defeat was painful, but inconsequential. The domestic form is excellent, Klopp's men are in series of successful results in the Premier League and FA Cup. During the weekend they beat Watford. The Reds were not at desired level, but still took the points thanks to the goals scored by Diogo Jota and Fabinho. Most of the players are ready, but Naby Keita remain sidelined with the knee issue that he picked up on international duty. On other side, Klopp has some "sweet" issues in attack as five strikers (Salah, Firmino, Mane, Jota and Luis Diaz) are looking for three starting places.
Benfica vs Liverpool Prediction:
Benfica have never made it past the quarter-finals of the Champions League in its current format. However, this time could be different as coach Verissimo has young and talented players able to upset the favorites. But something else is important for my pick - Benfica have scored in every game since the turn of the year. In addition, the Eagles have won six of their last eight Champions League games on their own turf. Don't forget Barcelona were among the victims. Liverpool, meanwhile, have scored in seven of the eight matches in the Champions League. They are in good form and the players confidence is very high. I expect an efficient match.
Benfica vs Liverpool Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.87 with Betfair
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Chelsea:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic
Real Madrid:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Chelsea welcome Real Madrid tо Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The Blues have eliminated French side Lille with a 4:1 aggregate victory. Usually the atmosphere in the club is positive after successful results, but this time is quite different. As You probably know, Russia attacked Ukraine and came under sanctions. The club owner Roman Abramovich has announced he plans to give the "stewardship" of Chelsea Football Club over to trustees of the club's charitable foundation. The Rusian billionaire made the announcement in the days after Russia's invaded Ukraine to protect the club's reputation. The continued uncertainty surrounding the Chelsea ownership debacle is doing the Blues no favorites here, but at the same time they should not be underestimated. During the weekend they suffered a heavy defeat from Brentford, so the players confidence isn't too high at the moment. Tuchel has the majority of his players ready for this match, but Ben Chilwell remains out for the long-term. Callum Hudson-Odoi could also miss the match due to a back problem. Christian Pulisic didn't play against Brentford due to a late return from international duty, but the US international is expected to bring some fresh legs.
Real Madrid are far from their best, however they should be considered as favorites for the trophy. Los Blancos showed their power against Paris Saint-Germain in the previous phase, winning 3:0 at home. The domestic form is mixed, they have one win and one defeat on the last two matches in Primera Division. Carlo Ancelotti's men have beat Celta Vigo 2:1 on Saturday, mostly thanks to the three awarded penalties. Though, there was significant controversy around the awarding of two of the penalties, and Celta were left furious by the decision-making of the referee. After the game, Celta striker Iago Aspas spoke to the Movistar cameras and was outraged, taking a big dig at the referee. “He only needed the whistle for the fourth penalty to take it himself,” said the veteran striker. However, the victory was very important for Real after the humiliation in "El Classico" previously. Real have suffered a painful 4:0 defeat to arch rivals Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu. Ancelotti has some injury worries ahead of this match. Eden Hazard will not play against his old club after undergoing a fibular plate operation, while Luka Jovic is doubtful due to an ankle problem. Karim Benzema should lead the line again. He scored a hat-trick against PSG and has eight goals to his name. One more would see him set a new record for French players in a single Champions League campaign.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Prediction:
Chelsea and Real will face in a repeat of the 2020-21 Champions League semi-finals. Last season the Blues won the trophy in the European top competition, but lot of things have changed since then. The continued uncertainty surrounding the Chelsea ownership debacle complicates the matters. On Saturday Chelsea suffered a heavy defeat from Brentford and the players confidence is not high as previously. Real Madrid shmuld remain unbeaten here.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Pick: Real Madrid +0.5 AH @ 1.84 with Pinnacle
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Over (2/2.5) @1.94
Chelsea
The Blues who are currently defending their title after clinching the European Trophy last season squares off against one of the best in the business of the champions League, all time holders Real Madrid. The reigning champions saw of Lille on a 4-1 aggregate to reach the quarter final round. Tuchel's men haven't lost in the quarter finals since 2011 over a decade ago. But the last time in the EPL over the weekend saw their 6 games undefeated streak across all competition, brought to an end by lowly Brentford with a 4-1 defeat in front of home fans.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid enters this clash motivated after a fine performance at Celta Vigo over the weekend. Where they were victorious 2-1. Los Blanco who were defeated by Chelsea Fc last season in the semi finals now have a chance to avenge their then defeat, after the blues moved on from that victory over Los Blanco to clinch their second champions League title in 2020/2021 season. Carlos Ancheloti's men moved pass the round 16 with a stellar performance as they overturned their one goal deficit at Psg by winning 3-1 on aggregate. Thanks to Karem Benzema hat trick at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Analysis:
Champions League holders Chelsea Fc lock horns with Real Madrid on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea
The Blues who are currently defending their title after clinching the European Trophy last season squares off against one of the best in the business of the champions League, all time holders Real Madrid. The reigning champions saw of Lille on a 4-1 aggregate to reach the quarter final round. Tuchel's men haven't lost in the quarter finals since 2011 over a decade ago. But the last time in the EPL over the weekend saw their 6 games undefeated streak across all competition, brought to an end by lowly Brentford with a 4-1 defeat in front of home fans.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid enters this clash motivated after a fine performance at Celta Vigo over the weekend. Where they were victorious 2-1. Los Blanco who were defeated by Chelsea Fc last season in the semi finals now have a chance to avenge their then defeat, after the blues moved on from that victory over Los Blanco to clinch their second champions League title in 2020/2021 season. Carlos Ancheloti's men moved pass the round 16 with a stellar performance as they overturned their one goal deficit at Psg by winning 3-1 on aggregate. Thanks to Karem Benzema hat trick at the Santiago Bernabeu.
1-3
Good call.
