UCL Match Round Preview, Team News & Predictions
2022-04-05 News
UCL Match Round Preview
Benfica vs. Liverpool Predictions
Having won their last 10 Premier League matches, Liverpool will fancy their chances in Portugal and we are backing the Reds to beat Benfica to nil in the Champions League tonight.
Key Stats
- Benfica have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool have won their last 10 Premier League games.
- Liverpool have won to nil in their last 4 matches across all competitions.
Teams Form
Benfica recently went undefeated in nine matches in all competitions. Nelson Verissimo’s side won 1-0 at Ajax in the Champions League after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. They had 31% possession in Amsterdam with Darwin Núñez scoring with their only shot on target. Benfica lost 3-2 at Braga on Friday. They were 2-0 down, equalising through Darwin Nunez and João Mário before conceding again in the 79th minute.
Their visitors Liverpool have won their last 10 Premier League matches and sit one point behind Manchester City at the top of the table. Jürgen Klopp’s side have won to nil in their last four games.
Injuries & Team News
Forward Rodrigo Pinho and Center-back Lucas Verissimo are both injured while midfielder Adel Taarabt remains a doubt for this fixture.
Center-back Joel Matip is expected to feature alongside midfielders Curtis Jones and Naby Keïta for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Verdict
Liverpool have won to nil in their last four matches and will fancy their chances in Portugal. We are backing the Reds to beat Benfica in the Champions League and keep a clean sheet.
Manchester City vs. Atletico Madrid Predictions
Man City a short-priced favorite in the Champions League will welcome LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid to the Etihad this evening.
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won 11 of their last 13 home matches in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have won their last 6 games in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have scored in their last 8 matches across all competitions.
Teams Form
Manchester City are currently one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Man City are coming off a 2-0 win at Burnley with Raheem Sterling assisting both goals for Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan.
Los Rojiblancos have won their last six matches in all competitions. Diego Simeone’s side won four straight in La Liga before a 1-0 win at Manchester United in the Champions League. It was enough to progress after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Injuries and Team News
Pep Guardiola is set to be without star defender Rúben Dias and youngster Cole Palmer due to injuries. Also right-back Kyle Walker remains suspended.
Center-back José Giménez did not make the trip to Manchester due to an injury he picked up against Alaves at the weekend and midfielder Héctor Herrera is also out with a thigh injury. Just like Kyle Walker, Belgian Yannick Carrasco is also suspended.
Verdict
Atletico Madrid have a dangerous attack that can score in Manchester which makes Both Teams to Score the best bet.
Chelsea vs. Real Madrid Predictions
Chelsea and Real Madrid recently suffered heavy defeats which casts a cloud on their form. With both sides struggling for form, we expect a bore-draw between both sides.
Key Stats
- Chelsea have won 6 of their last 7 matches across all competitions.
- Chelsea are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches in the Champions League.
- Real Madrid have won 6 of their last 7 matches in all competitions.
- Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema has scored 10 goals in his last 6 games across all competitions.
Teams Form
Chelsea have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.
The Blues are coming off a shock 4-1 defeat against Brentford. They went ahead through Antonio Rüdiger before conceding four unanswered goals.
Real Madrid on the other hand recently won five straight matches including 3-1 against PSG to advance in the Champions League. But Carlo Ancelotti’s followed their impressive victory with a shock 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in La Liga. It was a terrible performance after having 0.63-4.26 expected goals.
Los Blancos won 2-1 at Celta Vigo on Saturday. Karim Benzema scored both goals to make it 10 goals in his last six matches.
Injuries & Team News
Fullback Ben Chilwell remains injured while Callum Hudson-Odoi remains a doubt.
Real Madrid may be without Coach Carlo Ancelotti due to Covid-19, Eden Hazard is ruled out for the season and will not feature. Also, Isco Alarcon is out due to a back injury. Also, Ferland Mendy and Casemiro are available after suspension.
Verdict
Chelsea and Real Madrid are in a similar form which makes this one likely to be a close match. We are backing a draw in this fixture.
Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich Predictions
Villarreal have lost three of their last four matches in La Liga. They can score against Bayern Munich but could find it tough to stop the German club from running them over.
Key Stats
- Villarreal have lost 3 of their last 4 games in La Liga.
- Bayern Munich have won their last 2 matches against Villarreal in the Champions League.
- Bayern Munich have won 8 of their last 9 UCL matches.
Teams Form
Villarreal have lost three of their last four matches in La Liga. They lost 1-0 at Osasuna before a 1-0 win against Celta Vigo.
Unai Emery’s side won 3-0 at Juventus in the Champions League Round-16 second leg. They rode their luck before scoring three late goals to advance.
Bayern Munich beat Salzburg 7-1 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Robert Lewandowski hit a first-half hat-trick alongside goals to Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller (2), and Leroy Sané. The Bavarians are coming off two big wins in the Bundesliga. Julian Nagelsmann’s side won 4-0 against Union Berlin with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice. They are coming off a 4-1 win in Freiburg with Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, and Marcel Sabitzer on target.
Injuries & Team News
Villarreal are without flying wingback Alberto Moreno who is injured. Also, Boulaye Dia and Samuel Chukwueze are doubtful.
Alphonso Davies is back in training and Eric Choupo-Moting is recovering after testing positive for covid-19. Julian Nagelsmann’s side remains without Corentin Tolisso, who is out with a hip injury.
Verdict
Villarreal can score against Bayern Munich which makes BTTS the best bet.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Barcelona Predictions
Eintracht Frankfurt have the weapons to score against Barcelona but could find it tough to stop Xavi’s side over 90 minutes. This should be a great game with BTTS and a Barcelona win predicted in the Europa League.
Key Stats
- Eintracht Frankfurt have seen BTTS in 7 of their last 8 matches in the Europa League.
- Barcelona have won 8 of their last 9 matches in all competitions.
Teams Form
Eintracht Frankfurt started March with three straight wins. They then drew 1-1 against Real Betis, progressing to the Europa League quarterfinals after a 2-1 win in the first leg.
Their game over the weekend saw them draw 0-0 against Greuther Furth.
Xavi’s Barcelona have won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions. They are currently undefeated in their last 13 games.
Xavi’s side won beat Galatasaray 2-1 in Turkey to advance in the Europa League after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
The Catalan club returned to La Liga with a thumping 4-0 win against Real Madrid in El Clasico.
Barcelona are coming off a 1-0 win against Sevilla on Sunday.
Injuries & Team News
Oliver Glasner’s side are without defender Ragnar Ache and goalkeeper Diant Ramaj who are both injured. Defender Martin Hinteregger is available after being suspended in the Bundesliga.
Xavi who have the crux of his squad fit will be without Samuel Umtiti, Moussa Wague, Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati, and Balde who are all injured. While forward Luuk de Jong is doubtful due to coronavirus.
Verdict
Both Eintracht Frankfurt and Barcelona can score so we are backing both teams to score in this fixture.