It is a very quick turnaround for the teams in the Champions League this week as fresh from last week’s Quarter Final First Leg ties, we have the second legs coming up on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
All games kick off at 8pm and there are some intriguing matches to look forward to with all teams now well aware of what they need to do in order to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
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And all odds included in this article were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing but may have changed in the run up to the games this week.
Let’s begin first with a recap of how the first leg of each of the four Champions League quarterfinals went this week.
Inter Milan produced one of their best performances of the season in the Stadium of Light as they took a 2-0 lead from the away leg into the second leg this week.
For all the possession Benfica enjoyed, Inter managed to keep their talented attack quiet and after a scoreless 45 minutes, you could sense that the home side and their fans were becoming a little frustrated.
That frustration turned into concern on the 51st minute when, against the run of play, Inter took the lead when Bastoni crossed well for Barella to head home into the bottom corner.
The Italians rode their luck a little as Benfica almost levelled immediately after a scramble in the Inter box, but Inter added a second when Joao Mario was adjudged to have blocked Dumfries’ cross with his arm, after a VAR review.
Romelu Lukaku stepped up to score and after Ramos went close with the last kick of the game, the Italians hung on for a big win.
In a rare game where Manchester City didn’t enjoy as much possession as their visitors, the extra sharpness City had in front of goal proved crucial as Pep Guardiola’s team landed a statement win against the German champions.
A tight opening 25 minutes saw both sides create chances in an even contest, but City grabbed the lead when Rodri curled home a superb 25 yard shot past the flailing Sommer.
The Swiss goalkeeper would have a few nervy moments in the game as Bayern over-complicated their passing and it was a defensive mistake that led to the key second goal midway through the second half.
Grealish caught Upemecano in possession and sent a back heel through to Haaland who clipped a left foot cross to the back post for Bernardo Silva to head home.
A few minutes later, it was three when Haaland tapped home from Stones’ header back across goal from a well-worked corner as Bayern fell apart.
Following the game Bayern duo Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane were involved in a punch up in the Bayern dressing room, with Mane allegedly punching Sane after comments the German international made to the Senegalese star. A fiery second leg is in prospect.
AC Milan once again got the better of Serie A leaders Napoli in what was at times a grumpy and bad-tempered affair at the San Siro.
Napoli had the better of the first half and should have taken the lead early when Kvaratskhelia’s shot was blocked and Milan made them pay for that, somewhat against the run of play at the end of the first half.
Bennacer was the man who put the home side in front against the run of play as Diaz set up the midfielder to shoot home from 10 yards.
Milan almost added a second on half time when Kjaer’s header hit the bar and then at the start of the second half Napoli hit the bar themselves through a header by Elmas.
A somewhat bitty and ill-tempered second half followed, with numerous players booked and Napoli midfielder Anguissa given a red card after two yellows in quick succession.
Napoli missed a couple of late chances as the game finished with both sets of players angry. A pulsating second leg awaits us in Naples this week.
Real Madrid hold a commanding lead over Chelsea after overcoming Frank Lampard’s side 2-0 in the first leg of the tie at the Bernebeu.
After a combative start by Chelsea, Madrid began to settle into the game after 15 minutes or so and then on 21 minutes, Karim Benzema was on hand to turn home Kepa’s save from Vinicius’ prodded shot.
Both sides had chances, though it was Real now in the ascendancy and Chelsea have their goalkeeper Kepa to thank for not being further behind at the half.
The second half began with a chance for Chelsea before Real again got the upper hand and then on 71 minutes, Ben Chilwell was sent off for denying Rodrygo a goalscoring opportunity.
Real took advantage just three minutes later when Asensio fired home just moments after coming on as a substitute to make it 2-0.
Chelsea did well not to concede a third, but they still have it all to do in the second leg this week at Stamford Bridge.
And that is where we will begin the set of tips for the second leg of these ties.
Frank Lampard has seen first hand the issues facing Chelsea at the moment, and going into this second leg tie 2-0 down is probably a nightmare scenario for the Englishman.
Chelsea must attack but that exposes them to Real on the break and that is where the Spanish side can be devastating with their front three extremely quick and deadly in front of goal.
It’s not going to be a pretty night at Stamford Bridge and I feel that the home fans are not going to have a lot to cheer.
Prediction – Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid – 17/2 with bet365.
Napoli have not beaten AC Milan at home in five years, so they need to produce a superb performance to reach the semi-finals here.
However, with passions running high after that first leg in Milan, I expect a white-hot atmosphere in the Diego Armando Maradona stadium to give the home side massive backing here.
The problem Napoli have is that while I can see them winning this game, I can see them conceding and I think that means this tie may well be headed to extra time to decide the winner.
Prediction – Napoli 2-1 AC Milan – 7/1 (Napoli to win in extra time)
Bayern have a mountain to climb if they are to land the win they need to get into the semi finals of the competition and in truth, it does look a huge ask, beating a City side in great form by three goals just to force extra time.
I expect nothing less than a German onslaught early in the game and the earlier they can get the opening goal, the more chance they have of producing something special.
But in truth that 3-0 lead looks too much and I expect City to score a goal which will kill the tie, even if the English side end up on the wrong end of a defeat here.
Prediction – Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester City – 10/1
This should be the most comfortable game of the evening, but something tells me that Benfica could cause a few butterflies around the San Siro if they can get the opening goal in this game.
If they do, then Inter could come under huge pressure, but given how well the Italian side defended in that first leg, I think if Inter can get to half time 0-0, they will have the majority of the job done.
I expect this to be a closer game than many people expect but in the end, I think Inter will do enough to get through.
Prediction – Inter 1-1 Benfica – 11/2
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