The UEFA Champions League continues with the quarter-finals and Europe's truly elite clubs taking centre stage. Our soccer expert previews the best of the games.

 

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Borussia Dortmund vs Atlético de Madrid (Tuesday 20:00 UTC)

The Signal Iduna Park hosts this pivotal match between die Schwarzgelben and Los Colchoneros, where the travelling Spaniards have a mild advantage going into the game 2:1 on aggregate. Both teams roll into continental affairs in good spirits following decent victories a weekend past, with Dortmund beating Mönchengladbach 2:1 away and Madrid trumping top-four La Liga rivals Girona 3:1 at home.

Although Borussia dominated with 67% of ball possession in the 1st leg, they were on the back foot from early on in the game compliments of a 4th minute goal from Rodrigo De Paul. Samuel Lino allowed the Spanish side to end the 1st half in good stead and were seemingly content to shore up the defences and sit on their lead. Late into the 2nd half, Sébastien Haller managed to pull one back for the away team, and it could prove to be an especially important aggregate goal as crunch time approaches this Tuesday evening. Correct Score 2:1 at 9.57.

BVB rallied to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga, with both goals over Die Fohlen scored by veteran Austrian international midfielder Marcel Sabitzer in the first half. The travelling side held on well to the lead, despite Karim Adeyemi being sent off in the 55th minute and deserved all three points. The club now fights for a coveted Champions League spot with RB Leipzig, whom they both share 56 points with but are outdone in goal difference.

Come what may domestically or abroad we will be seeing the team in European affairs next season, as they have 14 points over 6th placed Eintracht Frankfurt, so Europa League qualification is guaranteed at least. Ramy Bensabaini and Abdoulaye Kamara are both omitted from this match due to injuries. Total (Corners) - Match Over 11 at 2.44.

Atlético enjoyed a great win over Blanquivermells last Saturday to extend the gap over 5th placed Athletic Club Bilbao. The capitol side are well out of the title race, being 17 points behind city rivals Los Blancos, though, as with their forthcoming adversaries, UCL qualification is now the mission for Diego Simeone's men, and it is an achievable one with seven league games to go.

The team's latest victory is their 3rd straight across all competitions, with the latest compliments of a goal from Ángel Correa and a brace from French international striker Antoine Griezmann, which means he now has 21 across all competitions. Thomas Lemar, Vitolo and Memphis Depay are all out of selection due to injury, while Samuel Lino is suspended. Atlético Madrid (To Qualify) at 1.416.

A big task awaits the home side as they attempt to bridge the deficit here, though there is plenty of cause for optimism following the first leg. Both teams have a great chance to progress onto the final four here for the first time in years, and face destiny against either giant Barcelona or PSG.

1x2 2.26 3.68 3.06

 

 

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Barcelona vs PSG (Tuesday 20:00 UTC)

The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium will be the venue for this hotly anticipated fixture, while Camp Nou undergoes renovations which conclude by 2026. Barça fans will be brimming with confidence that their beloved side will proceed onto the semi-finals, following a 3-2 1st leg win at Parc des Princes. PSG enjoyed a break last week from Ligue 1 affairs, as their matchday 29 fixture has been put back to the 29th of April. While Barcelona travelled away from Andalucia with three points following a slim 1-0 over Cádiz.

These prolific sides clashed heartily last week with the statistics fairly even for what was a stern affair. Man of the match went to Brazilian international right winger Raphinha who contributed two goals, with a further goal in the dying embers of the match by Andreas Christensen off the bench cementing victory for the Catalan outfit. Pundits suggested that the travelling team escaped defeat as the Parisiens rallied well in the 2nd half to surprise their opposition with goals from Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha in quick sequence following the  recommencement and ultimately led with 59% possession as well as the most attempts on goal with 18. Barcelona (To Qualify) at 1.323.

Manager Xavi will be emboldened by his team's chances at victory, as Blaugrana are now unbeaten in their last 13 matches across all competitions, with their last defeat in January compliments of Villareal 5-2 in La Liga. With the side's title hopes dwindling week by week, he astutely fielded a team without most of its stars against El Submarino Amarillo to rest his leading mean for the battle to come next week. However, he'll have to juggle a few selection choices as Alejandro Balde and Gavi are both injured, while Andreas Christensen and captain Sergi Roberto are suspended.

Robert Lewandowski has had a solid season for the Catalonians scoring 20 goals in all competitions for his team this season while providing nine assists too. The Polish international hitman will undoubtedly play a crucial role in this match, regardless of being omitted from the scoresheet the leg prior. He'll be in action this summer in Germany for EURO 2024 also, after Poland won a nail-biting penalty shootout with Wales following a goalless draw after extra time.i the qualifying play-offs.

Les Rouges-et-Bleus currently sit comfortably atop the Ligue 1 table with a ten-point lead over 2nd placed Brest, only a catastrophe could prevent the reigning champions from lifting the trophy once more. Fans have plenty to be hopeful for as the side is still on track for a lauded triple, with an opportunity available in the UCL as well as the Coupe des France final on the 25th of May against Olympique Lyonnais. Manager Luis Enrique will have to do without Presnel Kimpembe and Sergio Rico are they are both omitted from selection due to injury. First Team to Score - PSG at 2.18.

Dominating French footballing affairs is Kylian Mbappé, who has an astounding 39 goals and nine assists in his 41 games across all competitions this season, his good form will be crucial in this match if they hope to bounce back from the deficit. He's no stranger to scoring against his cross-border opponents, having done so three times against the La Liga giants in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 affair back in 2021. He'll be providing a more regular threat to his forthcoming opposition next season if his anticipated move to Los Blancos comes to fruition. Correct Score 2:2 at 12.29.

Les Parisiens travel to Catalonia well aware of the obstacles ahead of them, though, with a well-rested team and only a single goal to catch up on, they cannot be discounted. Barcelona has had great form for most of 2024 and will be confident that they can extend their lead to progress onto the semis, though it'll be a close-run thing.

1x2 2.26 3.84 2.95

 

Champions League - Quarter Finals First Leg Fixtures (UTC)

Tuesday 16th April 

Borussia Dortmund vs Atlético de Madrid (20:00) [1:2]

Barcelona vs PSG (20:00) [3:2]

 

Wednesday 17th April

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal (20:00) [2:2]

Manchester City vs Real Madrid (20:00) [3:3]

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Tuesday 10th April**

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