The Champions League quarterfinal matchups were drawn during the weekend. There are eight teams alive, but soon half of them will be gone. Of those eight, five are former European Champions. Atletico Madrid, Leicester, and AS Monaco are set to give the giants all they can handle in the last stage of the season.
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid is by far the best matchup of the four. These two teams have met plenty of times but never in a Champions League Final. And talking about a Champions League final, Juventus has a bone to pick against FC Barcelona.
These are the UCL Odds to win the tournament:
- FC Barcelona 11/4
- Bayern Munich 3/1
- Real Madrid 11/2
- Atletico Madrid 11/2
- Borussia Dortmund 10/1
- Juventus 11/1
- AS Monacno 14/1
- Leicester City 33/1
And these are the Champions League Quarterfinals Way Too Early Picks:
Juventus vs FC Barcelona
- First Leg: April 11 (Juventus Stadium)
- Second Leg: April 19 (Nou Camp)
- Odds to Qualify: Juventus 11/8 vs Barcelona 8/15
This is the re-edition of the 2015 final played in Berlin when FC Barcelona came up as winners with a 3-1 score. The pay per head bookies see Barcelona as the favorites in the series, but it’s closer than when both reached the final.
The first leg will be in Italy, where Juventus has 31 consecutive home games with a win at this point. When the quarterfinals’ date hit the calendar that number could be even higher.
Juventus is the type of team who is complicated to beat in a two-leg series. They have a strong, experienced defense, along with a capable midfield and a great attack. Unlike other Italians team that has a poor level in European competitions, for the most part, this Juve group has done well in Europe. What this team need is a successful run in the Champions League upgrade as one of the best teams on the planet.
FC Barcelona is one of those teams and pay per head sportsbooks, and the betting public knows it. But the public also knows they received quite a help in the 6-1 win against PSG in the Round of 16. After a controversial win against the French, Barca will be playing in their 10th consecutive quarterfinal series.
These two teams have met seven times overall with Barcelona winning three and Juventus two while the rest of the games ended in a draw.
This particular series will be eye candy for the soccer betting fans. Barcelona is not playing their best soccer and Juventus is at a stage where they need to show they can beat big opponents.
Champions League Picks: FC Barcelona.
Borussia Dortmund vs AS Monaco
- First Leg: April 11 (Signal Iduna Park)
- Second Leg: April 19 (Stade Louis II)
- Odds to Qualify: Borussia Dortmund 1/2 vs AS Monaco 6/4
Borussia Dortmund against Monaco is one of the less sexy games in the quarterfinals, but it can be one of the best.
Dortmund is one of the best offensive teams in the Champions League. They recently smacked Benfica with a 4-1 overall result, bouncing back after losing 1-0 in Portugal. It’s not a surprise the Germans are favorites in the Champions League odds by the bookie business. Dortmund averages 3.1 goals per game during the UCL. They scored 21 goals in the group stage alone.
AS Monaco can punch back, as well. They were involved in a 6-6 draw against Manchester City in the round of 16. Their three goals at the Etihad Stadium eventually were the difference to win on away goals.
The French feel comfortable as the underdogs, but they also know they are a dangerous team. The thing about this series is Dortmund is a different cat than Manchester City. The Germans can play both types of styles, and they are magnificent on any of the two. They can be an offensive machine but also play as a counterattack danger.
Champions League Picks: Borussia Dortmund.
Atletico Madrid vs Leicester City
- First Leg: April 12 (Vicente Calderon Stadium)
- Second Leg: April 18 (King Power Stadium)
- Odds to Qualify: Atletico Madrid 1/6 vs Leicester City 7/2
For Leicester City this entire Champions League experience is new. They have never been in the tournament before this season, and a quarterfinals’ participation is beyond their wildest dreams. The problem is they will play against a team that’s a mirror of their style. And Atletico Madrid plays this style even better.
As soon as Leicester fired manager Claudio Ranieri, the team started to win again. It’s safe to say the players didn’t want him there. And for upcoming fixtures, we will get to see the best of the Foxes to close out the season.
However, this is where their Champions League dream comes to an end. Atletico is the best defensive team in the tournament. They are perhaps the best defensive team in all Europe. And with that style, they reached the final last season.
The pay per head sportsbooks will expect to close games, with very few goals and tight defense. As mentioned both teams put their defensive efforts first. They think attack second. The difference will be the experience in this stage. Atletico has become a regular in these last stages. Leicester is new. It matters at this point in the season.
Champions League Predictions: Atletico Madrid.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
- First Leg: April 12 (Allianz Arena)
- Second Leg: April 18 (Santiago Bernabeu Stadium)
- Odds to Qualify: Bayern Munich 8/13 vs Real Madrid 6/5
The bookmaker software understands that this is the best matchup in the quarterfinals as two of the three best teams in the tournament clash for a place in the last four. They have faced each other 22 times, with Bayern Munich winning 11 and Real Madrid nine.
Real Madrid has won the last three meeting against Bayern Munich, including a 4-0 victory in Munich during the 2013-14 season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti was Real Madrid’s manager that season; now he coaches Munich.
While Real Madrid will be fighting for the top of the Spanish La Liga with FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich is close to clinching another Bundesliga title. This matter why? The Germans could rest players ahead of their meeting against Madrid. The Merengues can’t afford that luxury.
Bayern Munich seems healthier than Real Madrid at this moment in the season. Cristiano Ronaldo is a shelf of himself. They don’t have enough power to beat the Germans this time.
Champions League Predictions: Bayern Munich.