Europe Champions League Quarter-finals, 2nd leg, 13-14. April

spkutano

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no rocket science here: PSG, Chelsea, Real Madrid & Man City will go through! but never say never in football, especially with Bayern. Will lewandowski be back?
 
Paris St-Germain vs Bayern Munich Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Paris St-Germain:
Navas; Dagba, Pereira, Kimpembe, Diallo; Gueye, Paredes; Di Maria, Neymar, Draxler; Mbappe

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Martinez; Sane, Muller, Coman; Choupo-Moting

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes in the reverse fixture of the Champions League quarter-finals. This is a clash between last year's finalists. The first match was played a week ago at Allianz Arena and finished with a 3:2 win for the French champions. Kylian Mbappe opened the score in the 3rd minute after Neymar's assist and the striker thumped a drive through Manuel Neuer's legs. Marquinhos doubled the lead for the Parisians in the 28th minute with a neat finish from a great ball by Neymar. Bayern cut the deficit in the 37th minute thanks to the former PSG striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The second half was equally interesting. Bayern Munich kept up the pressure and deservedly equalized in the 60th minute through Thomas Muller. However, Mbappe secured the victory eight minutes later with his second goal on the match. He has scored 8 goals in the European Top competition this season, the joint-most in a single season in the competition by a Frenchman, along with Wissam Ben Yedder in season 2017/18 and David Trezeguet in season 2001/02. It seems he's a player for big matches as his brace in Munich came after the hat-trick scored against Barcelona at Camp Nou in the previous round.

Paris Saint-Germain have advantage from the first match, but it is clear nothing is decided yet. One thing that should worrying them is the home form. Stadium Parc des Princes is not the fortress that it once was during the days of full stadiums, something like Anfield. PSG have only won one of their last five home matches across all competitions. Worst of all, they lost three of the mentioned five. It was strange how teams like Monaco, Nantes and Lille left Paris victoriously. Coach Mauricio Pochettino must find a way to improve the home form. A defeat here could be a catastrophe knowing the owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi ambitions. He is desperate to see the Champions League trophy after investing lot of money in the club. Pochettino has some additional concerns as lot of players are struggling with injury or infection. The COVID-positive duo Alessandro Florenzi and Marco Verratti will be available should they produce negative tests. Nevertheless, it is unlikely to start any of them after both missed the training process during the period of isolation. Marquinhos has suffered a partial adductor tear on the first match and he won't be ready for this match. Abdou Diallo is available, while Mauro Icardi or Layvin Kurzawa are doubtful with thigh and calf injury respectively. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is also rated as doubtful after suffering a muscular injury against Strasbourg during the weekend.

Bayern Munich are the reigning European champions and they should not be underestimated. I think they played solid on the first match, but were unlucky to lose. And don't forget coach Hansi Flick was without the key striker Robert Lewandowski. The poor series continued in domestic Bundesliga as the reigning champions played just an 1:1 draw with Union Berlin on Saturday. It was virtually a B-team of Bayern, who took the lead in the second half through Jamal Musiala's strike. Nevertheless, Union Berlin managed to equalize in the 86th minute. The Bavarians remained first, five points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig. Flick dropped two points, but rested his key players during the weekend. However, he has big injury worries ahead of this match. Lewandowski has confirmed that he will not be ready for the trip to Paris, so this is a huge handicap. Douglas Costa, Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry are also confirmed absentees. Kingsley Coman, who came off at half time against Union Berlin, will travel to Paris as his issue is not thought to be serious. Defender Lucas Hernandez is doubtful due to a bruised rib, while his fellow defender Niklas Sule is expected to miss out with a muscular issue. Javi Martinez could make a rare start with Marc Roca and Leon Goretzka rated as doubtful.

Paris St-Germain vs Bayern Munich Prediction:


The first game played at Allienz Arena have produced five goals. I expect another high scoring match. Bayern have to score at least two goals to keep their hopes alive. That means they will strongly attack from the very first minute. PSG will accept such open style, they don't know to play different. Neymar and Mbappe are very fast and they will have lot of space for counter-attacks. At least four goals should be scored.

Paris St-Germain vs Bayern Munich Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.01 with SBOBET
 
no rocket science here: PSG, Chelsea, Real Madrid & Man City will go through! but never say never in football, especially with Bayern. Will lewandowski be back?
Agree, PSG, Chelsea, Real and Man City should qualifiy.
Lewandowski will not play.
 
The FA Cup and the Premier League may play lightly in Chelsea's mind, as they have more or less completed the work in this conflict, but Tuhel will leave no signs of complacency. Porto is in good shape in the league, but to reverse the 2-0 deficit is definitely too difficult for the "visitors", so we claim that it can be a tough duel, with many expediencies and few goals.
CHELSEA vs FC PORTO @@ +2.50 Under, odds 1.90

Neither Paris Saint-Germain nor Bayern Munich will be able to line up their strongest form in the French capital, but with some of their most brilliant talent - all equally hungry for European success - fans and neutrals will have to prepare for another magical meeting between the champions and their challengers. Despite the competitive problems of both clubs and the absence of the Polish striker, we expect another excellent match with goals and phases, in front of the two hosts, the odds on goals are low.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs BAYERN MUNICH @@ +3.50 Over, odds 1.90
 
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Liverpool host Real at Anfield in the second leg match of the Champions League quarter-finals. Los Blancos won 3:1 in the first leg and they are very close to the semi-finals. The Reds were largely handicapped as they once again missed their first-choice centre-back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, but Real were in similar situation as Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varan were out injured. The hosts took advantage from the opponent's defensive mistakes and scored twice in the first half through Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio. The Reds came out fighting after the break, pulling a goal back through Salah's finish off the crossbar to spark their best 20-minute spell of the contest. But Vinicius Junior scored his second goal in the 65th minute for the final 3:1. One thing is clear, Zidane was capable of picking Liverpool's weak spots out wide and steering his players to ruthlessly exploit them. His experience was crucial as the Frenchman took charge of his 50th game in the Champions League and this was his 31st victory in the competition. Klopp, meanwhile, opted for a substitution in the first half, trying to correct his decision to start Naby Keita ahead of Thiago. It was too late.

Champions League was Liverpool's only chance for silverware this season. Klopp and his players were well aware about that, but it seems they couldn't handle the pressure. The Reds played awful in 2021 and their confidence is not at desired level. Liverpool look a long way from the team that won the title last season and the Champions League before. The reason is obvious, all three central defenders have suffered severe injuries. Without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip the team isn't the same, despite the fact that midfielders and strikers are available. Opponents know their time will come soon or later. The home form is awful, Liverpool were in series of six defeats at Anfield, something unthinkable previously. The series was stopped during the weekend as Liverpool beat Aston Villa with 2:1. Klopp hopes the victory to be a base for another success. Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak will once again start in the heart of defense as van Dijk, Gomez and Matip remain sidelined. Captain Jordan Henderson is also sidelined, while young Curtis Jones, who sat out the match against Aston Villa as a precaution due to a muscular problem, is rated as doubtful. Divock Origi remains sidelined with a muscle injury. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota continue to battle for a starting place in the attack.

Real Madrid are in excellent form at the moment. They obtained three victories in the Champions League. Real beat twice Atalanta in the previous round, plus the mentioned victory against Liverpool last week. Los Blancos also won the last four league matches, beating Elche, Celta Vigo, Eibar and Barcelona. Real won 2:1 in El Clasico thanks to goals scored by Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. Barcelona coach Koeman was furious after the match as there was a penalty situation for Barcelona, but the referee decided not to use VAR. I agree it was a strange decision, but anyway. The domestic title looked far away two months ago, but a series of 13 games without a defeat since February, combined with Atletico Madrid's misery, saw them coming just one point from the first place. However, not everything was good on Saturday. Lucas Vazquez suffered a cruciate ligament injury and will be out for a longer period. Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane remain sidelined, while Federico Valverde is rated as doubtful with a bruised foot. This match come too soon for Eden Hazard.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Prediction
:

Real have a two-goal advantage from the first leg and they are very close to the semi-finals. However, Liverpool will try to produce another comeback like two years ago. It is impossible for anybody who like football to forget Liverpool's storming comeback against Barcelona. The Reds have eliminated Barca with a 4:3 aggregate victory, after a 3:0 first-leg defeat. Could this success to be repeated? I don't think so. First of all, there will be no fans at the stadium. Empty Anfield will not help Liverpool players, on contrary. Next, Liverpool are without key defenders. Keeping clean sheet against Barcelona was a tough job, but here it is impossible. The Reds failed to keep the net untouched at Anfield since 17. January. I don't see a way Phillips and Kabak to stop Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Asensio. I think Real won't lose at all.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Pick:
Real Madrid +0.5 AH @ 1.91 with Pinnacle
 
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Liverpool host Real at Anfield in the second leg match of the Champions League quarter-finals. Los Blancos won 3:1 in the first leg and they are very close to the semi-finals. The Reds were largely handicapped as they once again missed their first-choice centre-back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, but Real were in similar situation as Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varan were out injured. The hosts took advantage from the opponent's defensive mistakes and scored twice in the first half through Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio. The Reds came out fighting after the break, pulling a goal back through Salah's finish off the crossbar to spark their best 20-minute spell of the contest. But Vinicius Junior scored his second goal in the 65th minute for the final 3:1. One thing is clear, Zidane was capable of picking Liverpool's weak spots out wide and steering his players to ruthlessly exploit them. His experience was crucial as the Frenchman took charge of his 50th game in the Champions League and this was his 31st victory in the competition. Klopp, meanwhile, opted for a substitution in the first half, trying to correct his decision to start Naby Keita ahead of Thiago. It was too late.

Champions League was Liverpool's only chance for silverware this season. Klopp and his players were well aware about that, but it seems they couldn't handle the pressure. The Reds played awful in 2021 and their confidence is not at desired level. Liverpool look a long way from the team that won the title last season and the Champions League before. The reason is obvious, all three central defenders have suffered severe injuries. Without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip the team isn't the same, despite the fact that midfielders and strikers are available. Opponents know their time will come soon or later. The home form is awful, Liverpool were in series of six defeats at Anfield, something unthinkable previously. The series was stopped during the weekend as Liverpool beat Aston Villa with 2:1. Klopp hopes the victory to be a base for another success. Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak will once again start in the heart of defense as van Dijk, Gomez and Matip remain sidelined. Captain Jordan Henderson is also sidelined, while young Curtis Jones, who sat out the match against Aston Villa as a precaution due to a muscular problem, is rated as doubtful. Divock Origi remains sidelined with a muscle injury. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota continue to battle for a starting place in the attack.

Real Madrid are in excellent form at the moment. They obtained three victories in the Champions League. Real beat twice Atalanta in the previous round, plus the mentioned victory against Liverpool last week. Los Blancos also won the last four league matches, beating Elche, Celta Vigo, Eibar and Barcelona. Real won 2:1 in El Clasico thanks to goals scored by Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. Barcelona coach Koeman was furious after the match as there was a penalty situation for Barcelona, but the referee decided not to use VAR. I agree it was a strange decision, but anyway. The domestic title looked far away two months ago, but a series of 13 games without a defeat since February, combined with Atletico Madrid's misery, saw them coming just one point from the first place. However, not everything was good on Saturday. Lucas Vazquez suffered a cruciate ligament injury and will be out for a longer period. Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane remain sidelined, while Federico Valverde is rated as doubtful with a bruised foot. This match come too soon for Eden Hazard.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Real have a two-goal advantage from the first leg and they are very close to the semi-finals. However, Liverpool will try to produce another comeback like two years ago. It is impossible for anybody who like football to forget Liverpool's storming comeback against Barcelona. The Reds have eliminated Barca with a 4:3 aggregate victory, after a 3:0 first-leg defeat. Could this success to be repeated? I don't think so. First of all, there will be no fans at the stadium. Empty Anfield will not help Liverpool players, on contrary. Next, Liverpool are without key defenders. Keeping clean sheet against Barcelona was a tough job, but here it is impossible. The Reds failed to keep the net untouched at Anfield since 17. January. I don't see a way Phillips and Kabak to stop Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Asensio. I think Real won't lose at all.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Pick: Real Madrid +0.5 AH @ 1.91 with Pinnacle
Wow, there’s nothing to add. Great job
 
Agree, PSG, Chelsea, Real and Man City should qualifiy.
Lewandowski will not play.
His présence would have make a grate différence in the match, but now, who will win the final? for me it'l be real madrid vs man city, and real will win.
 
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