06/04/2021 – Champions League Predictions

The Champions League is set to continue and we’ve gotten to the exciting stage of the competition. Eight teams will battle it out for glory and we’ll be here to follow that journey until the very end.

Two interesting games are on the cards today and we have taken time to analyze and bring you the most likely betting tips ahead of both encounters.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Betting Tips

Preview

Manchester City will play host to Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City come into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City yesterday in the English Premier League. Second-half goals from French left-back Benjamin Mendy and Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus ensured victory for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, lost 2-1 to Adi Hutter’s Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday at the Westfalenstadion. An own goal from left-back Nico Schulz and a goal from Portuguese striker Andre Silva secured the win for Eintracht Frankfurt. Experienced centre-back Mats Hummels scored the consolation goal for Borussia Dortmund

How the Match Could Go

This match sees the tournament’s most lethal goalscorer come up against the best defence. Erling Haaland has proven impossible to stop in the UEFA Champions League since making his debut for Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. He’s scored 20 Champions League goals in just 15 matches for Salzburg and Dortmund. Half of them came in this season’s competition.

It’s a massive test for the Manchester City defence but so far, they’ve stood up to every challenge. City conceded 14 minutes into their European campaign this season but haven’t let one in since. They’re just three matches short of the all-time Champions League record for consecutive clean sheets.

Another man that will be tested here is Pep Guardiola. Only Carlo Ancelotti has managed more Champions League knockout matches than the Spaniard but Guardiola has hit a wall. It’s three consecutive quarter-final exits for the former FC Barcelona man. He hasn’t reached the semi-finals since leaving Bayern Munich.

Tip: Manchester City to win

For obvious reasons, we expect Manchester City to win. With seven clean sheets from eight matches, City look good value here. They’ve also won 10 of their last 11 Champions League matches against German opposition. In total, Guardiola and company have only lost once in their last 35 outings and that came against rivals Manchester United last month. Borussia Dortmund might have won the last meeting between both sides but that was nine years ago. We expect City to win this one. Bet9ja have 1.40 odds while 1xbet and Bet365 have 1.41.

Both teams to score: YES

Despite City’s defensive resilience so far, it would be something of an extreme task to keep the likes of Erling Haaland and company quiet. Dortmund will likely not sit back as well and that could keep City on their toes. The Citizens might dominate possession and all but there’s a strong chance Dortmund get on the score-sheet no matter what. Bet365 have 1.66 odds, Bet9ja have 1.70 and 1xbet have 1.80.

Over 2.5 Goals

The main reason for this pick is because of Manchester City’s opponents and not the Citizens themselves. All of Manchester previous six triumphs were achieved by two or more goal margins. All but one of Borussia Dortmund’s last five encounters produced over 2.5 goals and also four witnessed goals at both ends. Add that to the fact that we expect both teams to score and 2.5 goals seems rather likely. Bet9ja have 1.50 odds while Bet365 and 1xbet have 1.53.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Manchester City)

Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian is the likely candidate to lead the line for Manchester City. He has impressed in recent weeks and continued his rich run of form with a goal at the weekend. Jesus has two Champions League goals from four games so far and has scored 13 goals across all competitions. He could be one to score today. Bet365 have 2.00 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 2.30.

Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan is having the goal-scoring season of his life. With 16 goals to his name, he is City’s top scorer so far this term and will come into this game fully rested. There is also further motivation for the German to score, coming against his former club. Bet365 have 2.10 while Bet9ja have 2.70.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Borussia Dortmund)

Erling Haaland

This will be a massive test for the City defence as they aim to stop one man. No side has prevented Erling Haaland from scoring in the Champions League this season. It is no surprise he is the only player so far this term to hit double digits in the competition (10). City have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old recently and it could come as a chance for the striking sensation to show what he’s about. Bet365 have 2.40 odds while Bet9ja have 2.80.

Marco Reus

In the absence of Jadon Sancho, captain Marco Reus is perhaps the next best name to go with  for a goal. He might have scored only four goals this season but all of his goals have proven to be important ones. In what would easily be Dortmund’s biggest game this season, he’ll be eager to prove his worth and rise to the occasion. Bet365 have 4.50 odds while Bet9ja have 5.00.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool Betting Tips

Preview

Two of the most successful teams in the history of the European Cup will lock horns in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night as Real Madrid welcome Liverpool for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Madrid, who are 13-time winners of the competition, will be looking to secure an advantage at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium ahead of the reverse fixture at Anfield on April 14.

The two teams have been ravaged by injuries this season and will need to make a statement in this game.

Liverpool have endured a difficult Premier League campaign so far and find themselves in sixth place in the league table. The Merseyside giants have managed to impress on the European front, however, and will take plenty of heart from their 3-0 thrashing of Arsenal over the weekend.

Real Madrid have also flattered to deceive in La Liga and have failed to seize the initiative on several occasions this season. Los Blancos have an impressive squad and have a knack for setting the stage alight in the UEFA Champions League.

How the Game Could Go

While this is a clash between two of the most successful sides in this competition, the pair are a shadow of themselves. Both teams come into this one with major absences, with the winner likely to be whoever can cope the best with the gaps in their side.

Sergio Ramos has been ruled out, robbing us of a reunion between him and Mo Salah after their controversial 2018 clash. Eden Hazard is out for Real once again, while the Reds will be missing Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez among others.

Tip: Double Chance

Liverpool’s form has improved, and the Reds appear to be heading in the right direction once again. Madrid have also been finding their groove and we expect one side to give away when both sides meet. It should be a very interesting game in the Spanish capital and mistakes/individual brilliance could be the deciding factor at the end of the day. Bet9ja have 1.29 odds, Bet365 have 1.30 and 1xbet have 1.34.

Both Teams to Score

Four out of Real Madrid’s last five games saw both involved teams to hit the targets. Taking on a Liverpool side who look to be finding their feet again, we’re backing both sides to score at least once and it could then come down to who outscores the other. Liverpool know they need an away goal and they will go guns out blazing to get as much as they can on the evening. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.61 odds while 1xbet have 1.68.

Over 2.5 Goals

Three of Real’s last five clashes featured over 2.5 goals, while Liverpool have had no problems scoring in the Champions League so far. In fact, Liverpool have scored at least two goals alone in all but two of their Champions League games this term. Either from Real Madrid or from Liverpool, there is more than enough firepower to expect at least three goals in total after 90 minutes. Bet9ja have 1.78 odds, Bet365 have 1.80 and 1xbet have 1.88.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema

Once again, we’re backing him to score for Real Madrid and he hasn’t disappointed of late. He is just about the only name one can actually bank on to score for Los Blancos. For emphasis on his importance, he has scored seven out of Real Madrid’s last 12 goals across all competitions. Much of Los Blancos’ play will centre around the Frenchman and he’ll fancy his chances at a goal. Bet365 have 2.20 odds while Bet9ja have 2.50.

Marcos Asensio

The Spanish forward has impressed for Real Madrid of recent. In the exception of Benzema, he is perhaps the next best candidate that can get a goal for the Spanish champions. He comes into this game with good form, having bagged a goal against Eibar at the weekend. Bet365 have 3.50 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 4.55.

Anytime Goal-scorer (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah

Despite a topsy-turvy season for Liverpool, Salah has remained consistent to a good extent. The Egyptian has bagged 26 goals for the Reds this term and was on target against Arsenal at the weekend. Salah has also scored in five of his last seven games in the Champions League and he recently mentioned he is particularly fired up for this clash. Bet365 have 1.95 odds while Bet9ja have 2.60.

Diogo Jota

Jota has been a hit since he joined Liverpool and just can’t stop scoring at the moment. The Portuguese has 18 goals/assists combined in 18 starts for club and country this season. He is also in great form having come from the bench to bag a brace against Arsenal at the weekend. He could likely get the nod over Firmino and he’ll be eager to impress once again. Bet365 have 2.50 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.10.