UCL Quarterfinals – Tips and Previews
Napoli vs. AC Milan
5am, Wednesday
A 1-0 loss in the opening leg of their quarter-final hasn’t stopped the market from gravitating towards Napoli as they prepare to host AC Milan as $1.62 favourites on Wednesday.
It was the second time they had lost to Milan in two weeks, with Ismael Bennacer scoring the match’s only goal in the 40th minute. Only two of Milan’s 12 shots were on target, but they made it count as Bennacer finished beautifully on the break.
The Neapolitans will be up against it, with Milan progressing in seven of their last nine knockout stage ties after winning the first leg.
Victor Osimhen’s return from injury is an important inclusion for the Serie A leaders, and he could be the difference in front of the home fans.
Chelsea vs. Real Madrid
5am, Wednesday
Can Chelsea bounce back at Stamford Bridge? If the Bet Nation odds are anything to go by, it’s set to a cracking game, with the Blues quoted at $2.60 compared to Real Madrid’s $2.20.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men made it six consecutive home wins in the Champions League when they defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the opening leg. Karim Benzema and substitute Marco Asensio were the two scorers for Real, as they continually peppered the goals with 10 shots on target.
The win was also significant because it was Ancelotti’s 35th in the Champions League, the most of any manager in the competition’s history.
For the Blues, it was their fourth straight match where they’ve failed to score before breaking that streak in a 1-2 loss to Brighton on Sunday. There’s no doubt the Blues are in a world of pain right now, making this Real’s game to lose.
Inter Milan vs. Benfica
5am, Thursday
Inter Milan took their unbeaten streak in UCL knockout games to four when delivering Benfica a 0-2 beating in Lisbon.
With just 43% of the possession, Inter made it count with second-half goals to Nicolo Barella and Belgian star Romelu Lukaku.
They enter their home leg of the quarters as $2 favourites, with Benfica still winless against them in European competition with three losses and a draw.
Adding to the intrigue of the battle are reports that Inter Milan will sack coach Simone Inzaghi should they be knocked out. Despite this unwanted pressure, the Nerazzurri should reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2010.
Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City
5am, Thursday
In the final match-up of the quarter-finals, Bayern Munich will be looking to bounce back from a 3-0 shellacking at the hands of Manchester City when they meet at Allianz Arena.
While City was favoured heading into the match, nobody predicted the onslaught that would occur as Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland all hit the back of the net.
Haaland’s goal – his 11th in the UCL this season – made it 45 in all competitions, the most ever by a Premier League player. He is simply on fire for Pep Guardiola’s side and is undoubtedly the biggest threat to Bayern and the rest of the competition.
Bayern didn’t exactly turn their form around in their recent 1-0 loss to TSG Hoffenheim, giving us every reason to believe City can do further damage and enter the semis in style.
