The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals didn't really provide many answers, but it did, however, leave bettors and fans with plenty of questions.
Are Manchester City vulnerable after squeaking past Borussia Dortmund on home soil? Can Liverpool overcome a daunting two-goal deficit in its quest to win the Champions League title for the second time in three years? Will favored Bayern Munich be able to recover from a stunning home loss to PSG? And can Chelsea continue a run as the best defensive unit in the tournament?
All of these questions will be answered this week, as the field shrinks from eight teams to four.
Here are our top Champions League picks and predictions for April 13-14:
Champions League predictions for April 13-14
Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain
The outright odds were thrown into complete chaos with PSG's thrilling 3-2 victory over the defending Champions League winners last week. The rematch of last year's tournament final saw Bayern dominate the shots (31 to six) and time of possession (63.6 to 36.4) but come up frustratingly short thanks to Kylian Mbappe's 63rd-minute winner.
The return engagement in Paris is going to be explosive, with Bayern looking to rack up the shots yet again and PSG geared to capitalize on the counter-attack. The first game easily could have produced more than five goals and, with both teams desperate to reach the final four, you can be sure that there will be plenty of goals in Tuesday's rematch.
PICK: Over 3.5 (-110)
Porto vs Chelsea
Make it seven clean sheets in nine Champions League tournament games for the Blues, who made their scoring chances count while frustrating the FC Porto attack in a 2-0 away victory that puts them on the cusp of their first semifinal berth in seven years. Now treated to the comforts of their home stadium, Chelsea are -120 favorites against their Portuguese foes (+310).
Porto should mount a significant challenge here, having scored two goals in each of their previous five away matches across all competitions. And while the Blues have proven equal to just about any challenge they've faced in the tournament, we're confident that the visitors will join the hosts on the scoreboard in what should be an entertaining second leg.
PICK: Both teams to score: Yes (-125)
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund
You have to feel for Dortmund, who came oh-so-close to stealing a draw at Etihad Stadium before yielding Phil Foden's second-half injury-time goal. And the trends are not favorable for the German side in Wednesday's second leg: Manchester City come in having won 15 consecutive away matches in all competitions and have yet to yield a road goal in the tournament.
We like that last trend to fall by the wayside, thanks to the electrifying scoring exploits of Erling Haaland. The Norweigan mega-star was held off the scoresheet in the first leg but continues to lead the Champions League in scoring (10 goals) by two over Mbappe, and will have home-field advantage in his favor Wednesday. If anyone is going to solve City on the road, it's this guy.
PICK: Erling Haaland anytime goal (-110)
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
Both teams are coming off victories in league play, but it's clear that Real Madrid come into this one with more momentum than the reeling hosts. Madrid rolled to a 3-1 home victory in the first leg, and are coming off a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the latest edition of El Clasico. Liverpool, meanwhile, held off Aston Villa 2-1 for their first victory in Premier League play since Dec. 16.
Ignoring that incredible run of mediocrity in domestic action, Liverpool have fared much better in this tournament with wins in three of their first four home matches. And while Madrid are primed to advance to the semifinals, you can expect the 2019 champions to put up plenty of resistance in the rematch. This isn't a Premier League match, so we like Liverpool at home.
PICK: Liverpool (-110)
Champions League betting card for April 13-14
- Chelsea-FC Porto both teams to score: Yes (-125)
- Paris-Saint Germain-Bayern Munich Over 3.5 (-110)
- Liverpool (-110)
- Erling Haaland anytime goal (-110)
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