After yesterday’s interesting games, another set of mouth-watering ties are on the cards today. Without wasting much of our time, we’ll be bringing you a short analysis of today’s games alongside the most likely betting tips.
Bayern Munich vs PSG Betting Tips and Prediction
Preview
Reigning champions Bayern Munich prepare to take on old foes and last season’s beaten finalists Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
These two sides meet once again as last season’s Champions League finalists get set to battle it out for a place in the last eight of the competition. PSG will be out for revenge following their crushing 1-0 defeat in Lisbon last summer which saw Bayern Munich crown champions of Europe for the fifth time.
Bayern Munich will be hoping they can prevent PSG from picking up from where they left off in the last 16 after putting Barcelona to the sword in a 5-2 aggregate victory for the Parisians. Kylian Mbappe stole the headlines in the first leg of the tie after scoring a sensational hat-trick at the Nou Camp.
The Bundesliga leaders enter the game on the back of an impressive 1-0 victory against their nearest rivals, Rb Leipzig. However, they enter the game against PSG without their star man, Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has been ruled out of action for around a month after suffering a knee injury whilst on international duty in Poland’s World Cup Qualifiers.
In contrast to Munich’s devastating injury news, Mauricio Pochettino has been boosted by the return of Neymar after his issues with an adductor injury. However, his return to the starting XI did not quite go to the plan of his manager with the Brazilian getting himself sent off in their 1-0 defeat to league leaders Lille.
How the match could go
Bayern Munich have excellent players at their disposal and the likes of Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry will have to step up to the plate in the absence of the talismanic Robert Lewandowski. The Bavarians have been impressive in recent weeks and will want to make the most of their purple patch this week.
With Neymar back in the squad, Paris Saint-Germain will want to bounce back from their defeat against Lille and prove a point in this fixture. Both teams have potent attacking weapons in their ranks and the winner will simply be the side who is more effective in front of goal.
Tip: Both teams to score: YES
Bayern will be missing the best striker in the world in Lewandowski but they’re far from a one man team; they’ve not failed to score in a game all season with Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry both in double figures for the campaign. PSG have just blanked in their last match but with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their ranks goals aren’t usually a problem; they’ve scored 21 in their last 10 matches. Bayern aren’t known for a stern defence either. They’ve conceded in seven of their last 10 including both legs of their last Champions League tie. Bet9ja have 1.47 odds, Bet365 have 1.53 and 1xbet have 1.55.
Over 2.5 Goals
Bayern have won their last seven games and have scored 23 goals across that span. In similar fashion, six of PSG’s last 10 matches have also been over the 2.5 benchmark. Then you have the history of the two sides going up against one another. Three of the last four meetings have seen at least three goals. The one match that fell under 2.5 was last season’s final. Given the circumstances of today’s game, we expect a good number of goals to come through. Bet9ja have 1.54 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and 1xbet have 1.65.
Goal in both halves: YES
With the attacking display expected by both sides, we can expect an end to end game for all of the 90 minutes. Both teams would be looking to make the early marker by scoring first and that should lead to at least a goal scored in both halves. Bet9ja have 1.70 odds, Bet365 have 1.76 and 1xbet have 1.80.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller
In the absence of Lewandowski and Gnabry who tested positive for covid-19, the goal-scoring burden will rest on the German forward. He always remains a bright spark in attack and his trickery could cause the PSG defence some problems. After Lewandowski, he is the next best goalscorer in the team with 13 goals to his name. He has only scored once in the Champions League this term and that could be some motivation for him to further give his best in this one. Bet365 have 2.30 odds while Bet9ja have 2.75.
Leroy Sane
Another German that could be key for Bayern is certainly Leroy Sane. He might have scored only eight goals for Bayern this term but he has been prolific in the Champions League. He has three goals from six games in the competition and the absence of Lewandowski today would also mean he’ll be needed to step up his attacking game upfront. Bet365 have 2.30 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 2.95.
Anytime Goal-scorer (PSG)
Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman ran riot against Barcelona, scoring four goals across both legs and became the youngest player in Champions League history to reach 25 goals in the competition, taking the mantle from Messi. He is PSG’s top scorer this season with 30 goals and much of their hopes of claiming a big win will rest on the 22-year-old. Bet365 have 2.20 odds while Bet9ja have 2.75.
Neymar
Neymar might have blown hot and cold this season but we surely can ignore that he could be a game-changer on a good day. Injuries have stopped him from playing as much this season and he took a red card at the weekend against Lille. Amidst recent criticism, he’ll be eager to prove to PSG that he remains a key player to them. Bet365 have 2.50 odds while Bet9ja have 2.95.
Porto vs Chelsea Betting Tips and Prediction
Preview
Chelsea will aim to return to winning ways after their humbling defeat to West Bromwich Albion. They travel to Seville for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Porto on Wednesday.
The ‘hosts’ overcame Juventus in thrilling fashion to book their place in the last eight, while Chelsea dumped Atletico Madrid out of the tournament in the last 16.
The Blues left Diego Simeone and his Atletico Madrid side spitting feathers thanks to a 3-0 aggregate success. It wasn’t just the result that vexed the Argentinian coach, with the second leg played at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium despite his side being stripped of home advantage in the first, thanks to the Spanish government’s Covid-19 restrictions.
The story was all on the pitch for Porto, who saw off old rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in a stunning extra-time win in Turin. Leading 2-1 after their first leg, they lost 3-2 on the night but went through on away goals thanks to Sergio Oliveira’s goal in the 115th minute.
Porto are lagging seven points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon having played a game more in the Portuguese League and have reserved their best performances for Europe. Porto have not reached the semi-final of this tournament since they won it under Jose Mourinho in 2004. They face a tough task having lost home advantage for their first leg.
On the other hand, Chelsea lost 5-2 to Sam Allardyce’s West Bromwich Albion on Saturday in the English Premier League. A first-half brace from Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereira, a second-half brace from attacker Callum Robinson and a goal from Senegalese striker Mbaye Diagne sealed the deal for West Bromwich Albion.
Chelsea will come into this game as favorites but a win won’t come easy. Porto have shown they are no walkover and they’ll fancy their chances of knocking out another ‘favorite’ in the competition.
How the game could go
Plenty of questions will be asked after the manner in which Chelsea capitulated against Allardyce’s men last time out, but Tuchel has options in abundance on the bench, which he should utilize for the first leg. Porto command plenty of respect after dumping Juventus out of the tournament, but a fired-up Chelsea will be expected to bounce back immediately from their Premier League disappointment. With that in mind, we predict Chelsea might dominate proceedings and rule the day. Porto are without star duo Sergio Oliveira and Mehdi Taremi due to suspensions and that could be a huge loss as well.
Tip: Chelsea win
Porto have done exceptionally well to reach this stage of the Champions League but, actually, they’re hardly flying this season with the Liga NOS title now looking a tough ask. Their first leg win over Juve shows they’re still capable of causing problems but the last thing they’d have wanted to see at the weekend was Chelsea’s shock loss to West Brom. The Blues were woeful as the Baggies took them apart 5-2. They’ll now be all too aware of what can happen if they’re not at the races. It won’t happen twice within a few days. Of course, it’s worth noting they were unbeaten in 15 prior to that loss; one defeat hardly means bad form. Finally, it’s almost guaranteed that Mason Mount comes back into the XI, which is a big boost. Bet365 have 1.75 odds, Bet9ja have 1.76 and 1xbet have 1.83.
Both teams to score
Regardless of what may happen, Porto are a strong side at home and we expect them to get on the scoresheet at least. It barely ever happens that they don’t score at home and that’s our reason for this pick. Bet365 have 2.05 odds, Bet9ja have 2.10 and 1xbet have 2.26.
Over 2.5 Goals
There is no doubt that the match is likely to witness a couple of goals in full-time. Porto are likely to go all guns blazing in the first few minutes to make an early attendance in the scoresheet. Most of their goals in UCL this season came within the first five minutes of either half in the fixture. Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from their humiliating defeat as well and that should make for an interesting game. Bet9ja have 2.28, Bet365 have 2.30 and 1xbet have 2.38.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Porto)
Moussa Marega
Mali striker Moussa Marega netted in their win against Juventus in the last round and averages almost a goal every other game with 51 goals in 104 league starts for Porto. The 29-year-old has popped up with 11 goals this season and he could be the go-to man for the Portuguese giants today. Bet9ja have 3.85 odds while Bet365 have 4.33
Luis Diaz
In the absence of Oliveira and Taremi, Diaz could come into the central role and he’ll be looking to make an impression. The Colombian has impressed this season with nine goals to his name and he could be one to get in on the goals. Bet365 have a massive 4.75 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it even better at 8.50
Anytime Goal-scorer (Chelsea)
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has arguably been the best player for Chelsea this season and is one of their top scorers. He started on the bench over the weekend and scored after coming on in the second half. He has proven to be one for the big occasions and he’ll be eager to rise to the occasion once again. Bet365 have 3.60 odds while Bet9ja have 4.20.
Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has been in scintillating form in the Champions League for the Blues. The French striker scored a stunning overhead kick in the first-leg against Atletico Madrid. Despite not featuring regularly in the Premier League, Giroud has managed to dig out some form in the European tournament to net six times in his five appearances. Either from the start or from the bench if Chelsea need a goal, he could be a top candidate for a goal. Bet365 have 2.20 odds while Bet9ja have 2.65.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
