Two more big fixtures beckon on Wednesday in the Champions League after Tuesday’s goal fests. Barcelona travel to France for a meeting with PSG, while Atletico Madrid hosts Borussia Dortmund. Here’s a preview and match predictions for both games.
PSG vs Barcelona | 10 April | 21:00
PSG and Barcelona will resume their rivalry in the Champions League when the two European heavyweights clash in the first leg of the quarterfinal, to be held in the French capital.
The Parisians are enjoying a great run of form heading into this tie. Saturday’s 1-1 draw against bottom club Clermont extended their unbeaten run to 27 matches across all competitions, and they are now just four victories away from retaining their domestic crown. PSG’s last defeat came in the group stages of this competition, losing 2-1 away to AC Milan on Matchday 4.
Luis Enrique, facing his former employers, is expected to repeat his trick of knocking out another Spanish opposition in the competition, having eliminated Real Sociedad with a routine 4-1 aggregate win in the Round of 16. PSG’s desire to conquer Europe for the first time now rests on Enrique, who lifted the trophy in 2015 as Barcelona coach.
Bradley Barcola is PSG’s only injury absentee, while talisman Kylian is set to return after settling for a place on the bench in the midweek draw.
The visitors have recovered from their mid-season slump and are now trailing log leaders Real Madrid by eight points in LaLiga Santander. The Blaugrana are yet to suffer defeat in their previous 10 matches, claiming the notable 4-1 aggregate scalp of Napoli in the Round of 16 in the process.
Despite an injury crisis that has ruled out more than six key players for much of this campaign, Barça have managed to keep an impressive five clean sheets from their previous six encounters across all formats.
Frenkie De Jong and Andreas Christensen are expected to recover in time for this huge game, while Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack as usual. The Polish hitman has netted 11 times in 2024 and will be desperate to add to his third-best 94 goals in the competition’s history.
The last two encounters between these giants ended with both teams finding the back of the net. PSG won the away leg 4-1 and settled for a 1-1 draw at home. PSG has conceded in seven of their previous nine games, while Barcelona are undefeated in their last five games on the road. The Both Teams To Score Market is a no-brainer.
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Boosted Odds: Barcelona to Win, Robert Lewandowski to Score at Anytime & BTTS (Yes) | WAS 10.00 | NOW 11.00
Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund | 10 April | 21:00
Diego Simeone’s quest of lifting the coveted Champions League trophy continues as his Atletico Madrid side hosts Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals stage at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
Atletico delivered a statement victory in the Round of 16, eliminating last year’s finalists Inter Milan to advance to the quarterfinals for the third time in six years. The victory was momentous given that Simeone’s side crashed out in the group stages during the previous season, marking a significant dent in Simeone’s record at the club.
Atletico have registered seven victories from their past 15 matches in all competitions, keeping just four clean sheets in the process, a poor return for their usually stingy defense.
The Colchoneros are having a poor season by their standards as they are currently lying in fourth place in LaLiga Santander. The 58-point tally from 30 matches has left them trailing log leaders Real Madrid by 17 points.
The Spanish could be without the injured Mario Hermoso, while Memphis Depay has already been ruled out through injury. Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann carry the hopes of the Spanish side searching for their first-ever Champions League crown.
Dortmund’s season has alternated between title challengers at the beginning to top-four contenders as the Bundesliga campaign draws to an end. Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to VFB Stuttgart left them in fifth place on the log standings, tied on 53 points with RB Leipzig ahead of them in fourth.
The loss was a significant dent for BVB, who had won their past five games in all competitions.
Edin Terzic’s side will welcome back Donyell Malen for the tie, while Sebastien Haller is also expected to start upfront. Ramy Bensebaini is out with a knee injury, and Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen is likely to deputize as he did in the match against Stuttgart.
Atletico recorded a 2-0 win in their previous home encounter against Dortmund in 2018, and the Germans got their revenge with a 4-0 thumping at Signal Iduna Park. The Spanish side may not be in their best form, but they found a way through a resilient Inter Milan. Dortmund are levels below Inter and will be taught a lesson in Madrid. Back the Home side.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid Straight Win @1.79
