Europe Champions League Quarterfinals

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

Arsenal will welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. The Gunners were fantastic in the previous round of the knockout stage, winning 7:1 against PSV in Netherlands. The reverse fixture was just a formality and finished with a 2:2 draw. Arsenal were solid during the group stage of the competition, losing only one match, from Inter Milan. However, the manager Mikel Arteta is feeling some pressure as they lost the chance to win the Premier League, even not mathematically. Liverpool have an 11-point-advantage and virtually secured the title. Arsenal were not at their highest level in the last period. I think the injury situation is the main reason for the inconsistency. Worst of all, five players are still sidelined - Gabriel Jesus , Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori. The former Manchester City star Raheem Sterling is suspended. The absence of both strikers forced Arteta to use Mikel Merino as temporary solution, and he wasn't bad. The problem is Merino suffered a cut to his head and he is rated as doubtful.

Real Madrid are the most successful club in the history of the competition. Nevertheless, they finished outside Top-8 on the league phase table and needed to eliminate Manchester City in the playoffs and then city rivals Atletico Madrid just to make it this far. However, Los Blancos showed their class by beating the English champions twice, 3:2 at Etihad and 3:1 at Bernabeu. As I wrote above, Real are the most successful side in the competition and the actual champions. Real beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley to secure their 15th crown. But the weekend warm-up wasn't successful, Carlo Ancelotti's men suffered a painful 2:1 loss to Valencia and almost gave the title to Barcelona. The poor form isn't the only problem for Don Carlo. The Italian coach could be missing both goalkeepers as Thibaut Courtois is struggling with a muscle injury and number two Andriy Lunin is struggling with a calf complaint. Young 19-year-old goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez, who started against Valencia for the weekend, is ready to deputize. There are more worries for Ancelotti as Aurelien Tchouameni is banned due to accumulation of yellow cards, while Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy remain out injured.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Arsenal will strongly attack from the first whistle, they need to win at home to have any chance in Madrid. Arteta have Saka and Martinellii ready for this match, and it is a reason for my pick. Arsenal could take advantage from set-pieces, coach Nicolas Jover is doing a fantastic job. The Gunners will have strong support from their faithful fans and I think they will find the back of the net. But to attack Real, it is like suicide. And they are able to upset the opponents, including those from England. I will remind You Real beat 3:2 Manchester City at Etihad, despite losing at halftime. Real also won 5:2 at Anfield three years ago, even conceded two fast goals. Real have won 11 of the last 22 matches against English sides in the knockout stages of the Champions League, only losing six. What is important for my pick, Real have scored on most of their visits. I expect both teams to score here.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.85 with Pinnacle

 

[spkutano]

Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola

Aston Villa:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Asensio, Rogers; Rashford

Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Aston Villa to Parc des Princes in the Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match on Wednesday. The hosts are clear favorites after their superior performance against Liverpool in the previous stage of the competition. If that performance was superior, then what could we say about the previous against Brest. PSG beat their Ligue 1 rivals 10:0 on aggregate. And just weeks before it seemed PSG will suffer a shock elimination from the Champions League. They were losing 2:0 to Manchester City and it looked like coach Luis Enrique days are coming to their end. Nevertheless, PSG scored four goals in the last 34 minutes and secured the progress. I already wrote how Brest were humiliated and then came Liverpool. Despite suffering a rare home defeat in Paris, PSG ultimately prevailed in their last-16 contest with the English Giants, celebrating 4:1 on penalties after winning with the same result at Anfield. Enrique has the majority of his players available, but Lee Kang-in is sidelined by injury, while captain Marquinhos will serve a suspension.

Aston Villa were solid during the group stage, they finished into Top-8 and directly jumped into the Last 16. The Villans qualify for the quarterfinals after beating Belgian outfit Club Brugge 6:1 on aggregate. Manager Unai Emery is doing a very good job and the fans are satisfied. One fan particularly, Prince William. The future king reveals he supports Aston Villa for many years. He often takes Prince George to football matches and has even admitted losing his voice from cheering Villa on previous occasions. I believe he was happy with a 2:1 win over Nottingham Forest during the weekend. However, it will be much more difficult in Paris. Unai Emery also has the majority of his players available, only Ross Barkley is definitely sidelined, The situation connect with Marco Asensio is strange. He is in excellent form and he has contributed eight goals from 11 appearances overall He will hope to keep his place, but his rivals are Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford. Furthermore, Asensio has been loaned exactly from PSG. According to UEFA rules, he is eligible to play, but I am 100% sure he will feel a huge pressure. Playing against the parent club isn't simple, he must be careful about everything. Maybe it is a smart decision to be rested.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa Prediction:

PSG coach Luis Enrique was fully focused on Aston Villa, despite the importance of the weekend game against Angers in domestic Ligue 1. Several key players (Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele) were benched against Angers, Now rested, they should all return to the starting eleven. On contrary, Aston Villa had a difficult match against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Villa won 2:1 at the end, but the key players are surely tired. This was the first reason for my pick. Second, PSG have player able to make a difference - Ousmane
Dembele. The ex-Barcelona striker has scored seven goals in his last six Champions League appearances - one more than in his previous 36 combined.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa Pick: Paris Saint-Germain -1.0 AH @ 1.60 with Pinnacle