UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals Leg 1 Best Bets (Archive)
The early Champions League odds are now available as we are back with our favorite soccer expert advice and free betting predictions.
Read on for this week’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final leg 1 betting advice, soccer analysis, and free soccer picks.
SL Benfica vs. Liverpool FC
Tuesday, April 05, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Estadio da Luz
Form, Mentality, and Champions League Trends
- Liverpool have won their previous 4 away games in the Champions League
- Liverpool is undefeated in 8 of their last 9 Champions League fixtures
- Liverpool has scored 1 or more goals in 9 consecutive UCL away games
- Benfica is unbeaten in 10 of their previous 12 Champions League matches
The Easiest Draw
Critics and fans alike have assumed that Liverpool has received the most accessible path to the Champions League semi-finals by drawing Benfica.
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And on paper, this may be true, but I think Benfica's merging superstar Darwin Nunez could have his own opinion on this matter.
After proving the doubters and oddsmakers wrong in their final-16 meetings with Ajax, Nunez and Benfica sent the Dutch giants packing with just 13 minutes remaining in their second-leg clash.
The free-scoring Uruguayan striker could be a star in the making with his 2021/22 performances thus far.
Inter Milan couldn't overcome Liverpool's incredible run this term, and the Scudetto champions were ejected from the UCL tournament when the Reds triumphed at the San Siro.
Despite winning the second leg meeting at Anfield, Inter Milan's 1-0 goal tally wasn't enough, and we should note this fixture was the first in 17 meetings in all competitions where Liverpool hadn't won the game.
Real Madrid eliminated Liverpool from last season's UCL quarter-final. Still, Jurgen Klopp and the company should find solace in knowing the level of competition is significantly lower than their counterparts for the potential to book a place in the semi-finals.
Final Thoughts and Betting Odds
For obvious reasons, the available Champions League odds expect Liverpool to win both legs versus Benfica, disregarding the home/away advantages and disadvantages.
A Nunez-energized Benfica will undoubtedly be prepared for a highlight anticipated game on their turf.
Still, the defensive backline isn't as inspiring, and I envision the Reds walking through them without an issue.
Score Prediction: Benfica 1 – Liverpool 2
Soccer Pick: Liverpool & U3.4 (+120) [2.20] [1u wager returns 1.20u of profit] with Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
Chelsea FC vs. Real Madrid
Wednesday, April 06, 2022 - 03:00 PM EDT at Stamford Bridge
Form, Mentality, and Champions League Trends
- Chelsea has avoided defeat in 6 consecutive Champions League meetings
- Chelsea has avoided defeat in 19 of their last 21 UCL meetings
- Chelsea has won and kept a clean sheet in 5 successive UCL home games
- Real Madrid is undefeated in 5 of their last 6 Champions League meetings
- Real Madrid concedes an average of 0.63 goals in their UCL fixtures
Déjà Vu
In a repeat of last season's Champions League semi-final, Real Madrid will travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of a quarter-final battle with hopes of avoiding a 2020/21 repeat performance.
In an awe-inspiring comeback versus PSG, Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid squad overcame a 2-0 first-leg deficit and crushed the hopes of France's most dominant team, who're still hunting for their maiden Champions League piece of silverware.
A Karim Benzema hat-trick kept Real Madrid from faltering to PSG, and he'll unquestionably be the main danger for Chelsea.
Fortunately for the Blues, Real Madrid's domestic form was compromised to a 4-0 thrashing against Barcelona, and they barely got through Celta Vigo at the weekend.
However, this downtrend in the form matches the Blue's Premier League form, who were embarrassed by Brentford to a 4-1 defeat this past weekend.
With that said, European success has been consistent for Thomas Tuchel's men this term.
Chelsea will arrive at their Champions League quarter-final first leg, winning their previous 5 home games with 5 clean sheets.
Final Thoughts and Betting Odds
The betting odds have positioned Chelsea as the favorites but watching Brentford ship 4 goals doesn't bode well when a veteran in Benzema is paying a visit to Stamford Bridge.
With that said, Los Blancos' underwhelming performance over the weekend could allow Tuchel to rearrange his defense to the original back-three that's been more successful this term.
It's quite an unpredictable matchup, but I anticipate a tightly fought contest that shouldn't provide more than two goals.
The first 45 minutes should deliver caution from both ends, giving value to the half-time draw betting market.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 1 – Real Madrid 0
Soccer Pick: Halftime draw (+105) [2.00] [1u wager returns 1.05u of profit] with Everygame
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.