The UEFA Champions League returns this week with the quarterfinals as Manchester Metropolis, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Inter Milan, Actual Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan and Napoli battle it out for an opportunity to advance. The First legs start on Tuesday April 11 with the second legs beginning on April 19.
So, what’s the greatest recommendation for bettors seeking to get in on the Champions League motion this week? Paul Carr and Dalen Cuff break all of it down for you right here.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
Tuesday
Man Metropolis (-135) vs. Bayern Munich (+340) Draw (+290)
Champions league quarterfinal motion will get underway on Tuesday evening with Manchester Metropolis taking over Bayern Munich because the English membership appears to be like to safe their first European Cup title in opposition to six-time winner Bayern. What are your ideas on the chances and which workforce do you see coming away victorious?
Paul Carr: As tempting because the longshot costs are for a Bayern win or draw, particularly with Thomas Tuchel’s historical past of irritating Man Metropolis, I am sticking with the higher workforce right here. Metropolis are rolling like few groups can, with eight straight wins and not less than three objectives in six of these video games, plus Metropolis is aware of they want an excellent end result on this sport with the second leg in Munich. I will parlay the Metropolis double likelihood with over 2.5 objectives to get an even-money parlay.
Dalen Cuff: I am not as tempted as Paul is right here with Bayern. Thomas Tuchel is just three video games in with blended outcomes beating Dortmund and Freiburg whereas shedding to Freiburg within the DFB Pokal. It is a bit juicy, however my favourite play is Metropolis to win -135. Tuchel’s success in opposition to Pep Guardiola might are available how he units up his workforce, being the primary sport of a two-legged tie, he could also be hoping to reduce objectives leaked versus scoring themselves. I believe the below 2.5 objectives +120 is in play.
Benfica (+112) vs. Inter Milan (+265) Draw (+220)
Carr: Each groups are coming off disappointing weekend outcomes, however Inter’s type has been a lot worse these days, going winless in six straight video games together with Friday’s 1-1 draw at Salernitana. Whereas Inter’s underlying numbers look higher than their outcomes, struggling in opposition to bottom-half groups is not an excellent signal for his or her probabilities in Portugal.
Cuff: Benfica misplaced to Porto in a reasonably even sport on Friday for his or her first defeat of 2023 however have nonetheless scored in all 17 video games this 12 months, with a number of objectives in 13 matches. Benfica have been higher than Porto on the entire this season and Inter was lucky to get by Porto final spherical. I will take plus cash on Benfica to win this sport.
Wednesday
Actual Madrid (-145) vs. Chelsea (+400) Draw (+270)
Carr: Actual Madrid do not appear to do regular video games. Their previous 4 matches have averaged 4.5 objectives and three.8 anticipated objectives, and it is laborious to see Actual sitting on a small house lead in opposition to a weak Chelsea aspect. The Blues can be thrilled with a low-scoring draw, and the protection could also be optimistic with N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva again in coaching. I am not satisfied both will maintain up for 90 minutes, and Actual Madrid will inevitably do Actual Madrid issues to create objectives. I will go together with over 2.5 objectives at -110.
Cuff: I believe Madrid’s League type and place within the desk issue right here. They simply misplaced at house to Villarreal 3-2, are 15 factors again from Barca atop the desk and Carlo Ancelotti mentioned his workforce was not 100% motivated on the weekend. They are going to be Wed at house because the Champions League is their predominant focus now. Regardless of the return of Silva and Kante, I believe Madrid dominates this sport so my play is Madrid -1.5 +205
AC Milan (+180) vs. Napoli (+155) Draw (+220)
Carr: Beneath 2.5 objectives looks as if the plain play, because the -140 worth suggests. Aside from the 4-0 win at Napoli two weeks in the past, when all the things appeared to go in, Milan have scored a number of objectives as soon as in 9 video games, whereas conceding a number of objectives twice in that stretch. The Milan loss apart, Napoli’s protection has been sturdy, and with Victor Osimhen‘s standing doubtful, the plain play is the one I am making. Beneath 2.5 objectives at -140.
Former ESPN senior researcher Paul Carr is director of content material for TruMedia.