The second leg encounters return within a week after a series of goal-laden performances in the reverse fixtures, which saw as many as 18 goals netted. It is advantage Barcelona and Atletico Madrid heading into the second leg fixtures of the Champions League quarterfinals, while Dortmund and PSG are battling to overturn the one-goal deficits they suffered last week.
Barcelona vs PSG | 21:00 | 16 April
Tipped as the underdog in the first leg, Barcelona eventually came from two goals down to record an entertaining 3-2 statement win in Paris. Xavi Hernandez rested a host of key players in the weekend’s 1-0 win over Cadiz; with only Sergi Roberto, Pau Cubarsi, and goalkeeper Ter Stegen retaining their places after the triumph in Paris. The Catalans are yet to be defeated on home soil since January, which is a run of seven matches in all competitions.
Andreas Christensen, Barca’s match-winner at Parc Des Princes, is suspended for the tie after picking up his third yellow card of the campaign. Top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski is set to return after serving a domestic ban over the weekend.
PSG’s dream of securing their maiden Champions League title is in jeopardy as they head to Spain. Handed a domestic rest during the weekend, Luis Enrique returns to Catalonia looking to mount a ‘La Remontada’ comeback from the other side and perhaps momentarily extend his stay with the club. PSG’s 3-2 home loss last week was their first in 27 matches across all competitions. The defeat further exposed their defensive issues, as they have kept just two clean sheets in their past eight appearances.
The visitors will be boosted by the return of Achraf Hakimi, who missed the reverse fixture as he served a one-match suspension. Kylian Mbappe, who has netted one goal in his last six appearances, will spearhead PSG’s frontline.
Barca have conceded once in their previous four straight wins at home, meanwhile, the Parisians have produced poor defensive displays recently. The last four showdowns between PSG and Barca have ended with either team finding the net. Both Teams will score here.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score @ 1.39. Place that bet now here!
Bet Boost: Barcelona to Win, Raphinha to Score or Assist & Lewandowski to Score or Assist | Was 6.50 | Now 7.00
Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid | 21:00 | 16 April
Sebastian Haller’s 81st-minute goal in the 2-1 first-leg loss rescued Borussia Dortmund from leaving the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium with a two-goal deficit, and momentarily saved them from the claws of elimination in the Champions League. The loss ended Dortmund’s six-game winning run in all competitions, although they returned to winning ways with a 2-1 league victory against Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend.
Edin Terzic has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the tie, which represents Dortmund’s only realistic chance of securing silverware this season.
Diego Simeone will feel aggrieved that his side missed several opportunities to punish Dortmund last week in the Capital after racing to an early lead in the 4th minute. Atletico’s profligacy in front of goal almost came back to haunt them as the visitors squandered two chances towards the end of the match. Back on the domestic front on the weekend, Simeone’s men secured a morale-boosting 3-2 win over third-placed Girona, reducing the gap to their opponents by three points with seven league rounds remaining.
Samuel Lino accumulated a yellow card in the first and will remain in Spain as he serves a suspension of one match. Off-form striker Alvaro Morata is expected to lead the attack in Germany.
Atletico’s recent record of 10 consecutive games without a clean sheet makes me believe that they are bound to concede in Germany. I’m expecting Both Teams to find the net at Signal Iduna Park.
Prediction: Dortmund to qualify @ 2.52
