After Wednesday’s Champions League matches, the Champions League Quarterfinals will be set and ready for the draw on Friday, March 15. Last week, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Ajax, and Porto earned their places in the final eight, with Spurs being the only team to have little trouble claiming their spot. Two more teams will be added to the mix on Tuesday and the final two will be added after Bayern Munich host Liverpool and Barcelona host Olympique Lyon on Wednesday.
There were no goals scored in the first leg of either of these matches. Bayern Munich and Liverpool played a relatively dull game given what these two sides are capable of producing. The German giants couldn’t put a shot on net against Liverpool, while the Reds managed just two in response.
Meanwhile, Lyon were able to shut out Barcelona in their first game, and they will take that as a win considering the barrage of shots they faced. The Blaugrana fired 25 shots but couldn’t break through, so they need to win outright to advance.
Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Bayern Munich +113
Liverpool FC +229
Draw +250
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Jurgen Klopp would love to send Bayern Munich out of the Champions League earlier than expected. Klopp was not able to get the best of Bayern often when he was in charge of Borussia Dortmund, and this would give him a chance to get a little revenge.
Bayern Munich had some troubles at the start of the season, but they have been performing much better in recent weeks, and their struggles with Ajax in the Group Stage look warranted now. They had a hard time beating the Dutch club out for the top spot in their group.
We could see plenty of fireworks here. Bayern Munich boast the top goal scorer in this year’s Champions League in Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski has notched eight goals in seven matches, and he closed out the group stage with three consecutive braces over Bayern’s last three games.
Meanwhile, we all know what Liverpool are capable of delivering. Klopp is a tactical genius, and he is great at moving around the chess pieces to put Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane in great positions. They haven’t scored as often as they did last year, but the threat remains.
With that in mind, the over is the play for me here, especially since the only way we get to extra time is with a 0-0 draw.
FC Barcelona -413
Olympique Lyon +969
Draw +521
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
It’s going to be tough for Lyon to win in Camp Nou. Lyon have not had good play from Memphis Depay, and they have been reliant on Moussa Dembele to create chances. Dembele has continued to impress and develop since coming over from Celtic during the summer, and Lyon’s hopes rest largely upon his shoulders.
Barcelona are unlikely to be shut out once more. Lionel Messi has not played much in the Champions League this season after breaking his arm in October, but he has been incredible during his time on the pitch. He has tallied six goals in 387 minutes of action, and that goal per minute ratio is bonkers compared to everyone else still active.
The visitors have proven themselves up to the task when it comes to securing draws. Their draw in the first leg was their sixth in seven games, and they have yet to lose. However, those draws have been relatively high-scoring, so it says more of their ability to rally than anything else.
That’s why I’ll lay the chalk and take Barcelona. The Blaugrana have too much talent to where down Lyon with, and they will eventually find their way through.
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