The Champions League Quarterfinal fixtures are finally out as the battle for supremacy in Europe reaches the final eight stage. The battle on the road to Istanbul gets intense. The quarterfinal matchups are set and the fans in Europe will be treated to the best football matches ever. Let us now look at Champions League quarterfinal fixtures and predictions.
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Champions League Quarterfinal Fixtures
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
The matchup of last year’s quarterfinals. Chelsea once again will face the Spanish football giants. The last time when these two teams met in the quarterfinals Real Madrid knocked out the Londoners. Karim Benzema led Real Madrid to 3-1 victory the 1st leg in 2021. Chelsea made an emphatic comeback leading the game 3-0 and were oncourse to cause the biggest upset on their home soil. Benzema, Rodrygo led the charge and made a comeback in over time to edge past Chelsea.
Real Madrid look much more stronger than last season. They might be struggling in the ongoing LaLiga season as they are trailing by 9 points to Barcelona. When it comes to the Champions League they look solid and dangerous. The game against Liverpool (5-2) in the last round reminds of how dangerous they have been this season.
Chelsea are not the same team as they were last season. Graham Potter’s men surprised their opponents in the last three matches in the Champions League. The team is still looking for consistency and momentum. The Blues will have a tough challenge ahead and they need to be a much better team if they have to cause some problems when they travel to Madrid for their Champions League quarterfinal fixtures in April.
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A tough battle awaits for the Blues against Real Madrid in the quarterfinal round of the Champions League. The odds favoring Real Madrid are -112, while favoring Chelsea is +310.
When it comes to the head to head record Chelsea holds the upper hand winning 2 games, losing one and drawing one against Real Madrid. The Londoners scored 6 goals against Madrid in the Champions League. Madrid scored 6 goals against Chelsea in Champions League competitions. It is quite unusual and lucky for both the teams as the Champions League quarterfinal fixtures falling back to last year’s rematch.
Inter Milan vs Benfica
Another exciting matchup to watch out for in the Champions League quarterfinal round. The team from Italy will face Portuguese team Benfica in an all exciting Champions League quarterfinal fixture in April. Both teams meet against each other a long time ago in the European Cup final.
Inter Milan are not the same side as they were in the last season. They struggled against Porto and managed to hang on to the 1-0 lead in round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinal stage. They can play a good brand of football but yet to show that in this year’s Champions League.
Inter Milan defeated Serie A league’s top team Napoli. The win over Napoli clear says how good a team they are against strong teams. They will be up against the best team in Europe in the form of Benfica. Andre Onana will be the key player for Inter Milan in their Champions League quarterfinal fixture against Benfica.
Benfica lost a solitary game in the entire season. They are one of the best team’s in Europe right now. Roger Schmidt’s team lost Enzo Fernandez in a trade transfer to Chelsea in January. His departure doesn’t seem to have hurt them. Benfica plays their game with good intensity, ball movement. They got the skills and game awareness. Goncalo Ramos will be the key player for the Portuguese club in the Champions League quarterfinal fixture against Inter Milan.
Prediction & Betting Odds: Benfica are the favorites to advance to the final four. They are likely to defeat Inter Milan in their quarterfinal fixtures. The odds favoring Inter Milan is +130, while favoring Benfica is +129.
When it comes to head to head record, Benfica won 2 games and lost one game against Inter Milan. The Portuguese club scored four goals in 3 games, While Milan scored 4 goals in 3 games.
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich
Two dominant teams clash off in the all important Champions League quarterfinal fixture in April. The team from Germany defeated Paris Saint Germain in the round of 16. Manchester City displayed ruthless aggression in the 2nd leg of round of 16 competition. Both teams have huge ambitions of winning the Champions League this season.
Bayern Munich are undefeated in the champions League winning eight games. Munich scored 21 goals in 8 games. They are ranked 5th on offense. When it comes to defense Munich are the best defensive team in the Champions League. They conceded 2 goals in 8 matches this season. The team is a blend of youth and experience. Munich got players with Champions League pedigree in the form of Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller.
Manchester City displayed their ruthlessness in the 2nd leg of round of 16 against RB Leipzig (7-0). Erling Haaland score 5 goals. Their dominance is a warning to all the teams in the Champions League. Man City won five games and tied three games. They scored 22 goals in 8 games ranking third on offense, when it comes to defense they are the 2nd best defensive team in the league. Man city conceded 3 goals this season so far.
When it comes to head to head record Manchester City & Bayern Munich clashed off six times with three wins each. Bayern Munich scored 10 goals, while Man City scored 9 goals in 6 games.
Prediction: Bayern Munich certainly has the edge over Manchester City with the 2nd leg of the Champions League quarterfinal fixture to be played at Munich. Man City’s head coach Pep Guardiola likes to experiment with new tactics which could lead to their downfall. Man City will have to overcome their ghosts from the past of faltering at knockout games.
Betting Odds: The odds favoring Bayern Munich is 3.60 (+240), while the odds favoring Manchester City is 2.17 (+100).
AC Milan vs Napoli
Italian giants Napoli lash off against another Italian team AC Milan in Champions League quarterfinal fixture. The battle of two Italian teams, AC Milan former Champions League champions, while Napoli the dominant force in the league this season. Luciano Spalletti’s men defeated Milan 2-1 the last time they clashed off in September, 2022.
Seven time Champions League winners, AC Milan are having a rough time this season. They have struggled in the Serie A. AC Milan held on to 1-0 lead against Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16. Rossoneri scored 13 goals, while conceding 7 goals in the season. They are ranked 9th on offense & 6th on defense. AC Milan will have to strengthen their and mid field to stop Napoli’s forwards Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae. Fikayo Tomori held down Harry Kane in the round of 16. Tomori will once again have the handle Victor Osimhen and cause the biggest upset in the all important Champions League quarterfinal fixture.
Napoli are having a great time in Serie A and Champions League this season. They have been a dominant force leading the goal scorers charts with 25 goals in the Champions League. Luciano Spalletti’s men conceded 6 goals and are ranked 4th on defense. The rise of Victor Osimhen and Georgian international Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are the break out stars. Khvicha has had a huge impact on Napoli’s outcomes. He is a game changer for the team.
Napoli & AC Milan faced of in 31 matches in Serie A. Napoli won 13 games, lost 7 games and drew 11 games. Luciano Spalletti’s men clearly has the advantage over their domestic rivals AC Milan.
Prediction & Betting Odds: Napoli are the favorites to win the Champions League Quarterfinal Fixture against AC Milan. The odds favoring Napoli to win the game is 2.39 (+140), while favoring AC Milan to win the fixture is 3.40 (+210).
