The 2nd legs of the Champions league Quarter finals take place this week and every matchup has a chance of going either way with all of the matches in the balance. It should make for some thoroughly entertaining football as much as the 1st legs were and that’s the beauty of this sport in that anything can happen. And going by the first legs, anything can happen this week and maybe it will.
**Odds from Sportsbet as at 12th April
Real Madrid ($1.2) versus Wolfsburg ($13), Draw ($7)
1st Leg result: Wolfsburg 2 – 0 Real Madrid
A shock result for Real Madrid in their first leg tie with Wolfsburg as they lost out 2-0. That of course puts them on the back foot for the 2nd leg and a lot of other teams might just roll over and give in but Real Madrid should bounce back strongly to progress. They will of course need to be wary because no doubt Wolfsburg will look to hurt Real Madrid on the counter and if they manage to score then it will put a lot of pressure on their opponents to score heavily to qualify for the next round. It’s a somewhat delicately poised contest in all truth and without discounting Wolfsburg’s chances, I can’t go against Real Madrid fighting their way back into this contest.
Predicted score: Real Madrid 3-0
Best Bet: Real Madrid to score 3 or more goals at $1.53 (70%)
Next Best: Exactly 2 or 3 goals at $2.5
Manchester City ($2.9) versus PSG ($2.37), Draw ($3.5)
1st Leg result: PSG 2 – 2 Manchester City
The first leg was a fantastic contest and again this one is in the balance with the scores at 2-2. Manchester City have the advantage of 2 away goals but there is no discounting PSG’s ability to beat anyone on their day with the firepower they possess. City have defensive issues as well recently having kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 4 games in all competitions. The flipside is they have the firepower themselves to hurt PSG as they did in the first leg and the absence of David Luiz and Matuidi to suspension won’t harm their chances of scoring once again. This will be a close game once again and one that might need more than just normal time to qualify for the next stage.
Predicted score: Draw 2-2
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.6 (85%)
Next Best: Both teams to score – Yes at $1.50
Benfica ($5.5) versus Bayern Munich ($1.67), Draw ($3.75)
1st Leg result: Bayern Munich 1 – 0 Benfica
Bayern were well held by Benfica in the first leg to only score once and that gives them a chance in the 2nd leg to try and progress. Bayern had 12 shots on goal against Benfica in the first leg of which 5 were on target whilst also having the lion’s share of possession they probably should have score 1 or 2 more. Benfica will fancy themselves at home and they boast a very good record this season at home. They’ve lost just 3 times at home this season in all competitions and they’ll need every bit of that record to give them a chance against Bayern. The problem they’ll face though is scoring goals against such a formidable outfit and they need at least 1 to push this game to extra time if it goes that way. That will create opportunities for Bayern to score and in the end I don’t think Bayern will be stopped from pushing through to the next stage.
Predicted score: Bayern Munich 2-0
Best Bet: Bayern Munich to win at $1.67 (90%)
Next Best: Under 2.5 goals at $1.91
Atletico Madrid ($3.4) versus Barcelona ($2.2), Draw ($3.3)
1st Leg result: Barcelona 2 – 1 Atletico Madrid
This could well be a much different story if Torres didn’t have a brain fade after putting his side up 1-0 in the first half. Having subsequently been sent off, the result of Barcelona winning the first leg was pretty much a formality though Atletico did well to keep Barcelona to just the 2 goals as it keeps them well and truly still in it especially with an away goal. Whilst they haven’t beaten Barcelona at home in their last 4 attempts they won’t go out wondering and will look to take advantage of Barcelona’s dip in form in recent weeks. Barcelona have won just once in their last 4 games in all competitions which was the first leg tie against Atletico. This would be the perfect time for them to find some form but they might only just scrape through in this one.
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score – Yes at $1.72 (80%)
Next Best: Barcelona to win either half at $1.64
