Two UCL quarter finals conclude on Tuesday with the second legs of the match ups between Liverpool and PSG and Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
Liverpool v PSG
Last week’s first leg in Paris saw PSG take control of the tie, scoring a goal in each half to win 2-0 on the night. Desire Doue got the first after just 11 minutes and the second goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia followed on 65 minutes whilst Liverpool ailed to register an attempt on target throughout the whole game.
Liverpool lost the first leg of their Ro16 clash with Galatasaray 1-0 in Istanbul but they turned things around in some style with a 4-0 victory in the return at Anfield. Liverpool finished third in the League Phase with 6 wins and 2 defeats to qualify automatically for the Ro16. Aside from losing 1-0 away to their opponents here they put in a shocker in a 4-1 home defeat to PSV but were otherwise foot perfect.
At the weekend Liverpool were 2-0 winners ta home to Fulham which keeps them in fifth place in the standings and unless they win the UCL this season they will need to stay in the top 5 to qualify for this competition in 2026/27.
PSG made short work of Chelsea in the first knockout round, winning 5-2 in Paris and 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. They started the League Phase well including a victory away to Barcelona but they won just 1 of their last 5 and missed out on auto qualification with 14 points. They were matched with Monaco in the play offs and after a 3-2 win away from home a 2-2 draw in Paris saw them edge their way through.
PSG had their weekend Ligue 1 fixture postponed and they are currently 4 points clear of Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 standings and they also have a game in hand.
The Verdict:
Liverpool have to go for it but they barely laid a glove on PSG in Paris last week and I’m with the visitors to keep them down to no more than a single goal.
Bet: Liverpool total goals, under 1.5 at 9/10 with Lucky Fish
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
Last week’s first leg at Camp Nou saw Barca start as short price favourites but Atletico came away with aa 2-0 win ahead of this return in Madrid. Just before half time Pau Cubarsi picked up a red card for Barca and Julian Alvarez scored from the resulting free kick to give Atletico a 1-0 lead at half time. Barca pressed for an equalizer in the second half and hit the woodwork but Alexander Sorloth grabbed Atletico’s second goal on 70 minutes and it finished 2-0.
Atletico won their first leg of their Round of 16 clash with Spurs 5-2 in Madrid and although they lost the return in London 3-2 on the night they went through 7-5 on aggregate. Atletico had to take the play off route to qualify for the Round of 16 and after drawing the first leg of their clash with Club Brugge 3-3 they ran out 4-1 winners in the return in Madrid. In the league phase Atletico won 4, drew 1 and lost 3 of their matches and they faded in the later rounds to finish 14th.
Barca drew the first leg of their R016 match up with Newcastle 1-1 on Tyneside but the return on home turf saw them romp to a 7-2 win on the night (8-3 on aggregate). Barcelona qualified automatically with a League Phase record of 5 wins,1 draw and 2 defeats to finish fifth. Despite getting off to a flyer with a 2-1 away win over Newcastle they dropped points in defeats at home to PSG and away to Chelsea and also in a draw at Brugge before they won their last 3 matches to make up the lost ground.
These teams met in La Liga in Madrid two weeks and Barca were 2-1 winners. Atletico took the lead in that match but Barca were level before half time and Atletico then had Ganzalez red carded, they played the whole of the second half with 10 men and Lewandowski popped up with an 87th minute winner. Barca also won the first league meeting this season 3-1 although Atletico did knock them out of the Cope del Rey 4-3 on aggregate.
At the weekend Barca thrashed Espanyol 4-1 to go 9 points clear of Real in the standings. Atletico lost 2-1 at Sevilla and they remain in fourth place but well clear of the trams in fifth and sixth.
The Verdict:
This is set up for a cracking contest, I wouldn’t rule Barca out but they have a mountain to climb and I can Atletico getting on the scoresheet at least once and I’m with Alvarez to register again. For additional interest I’m with both halves to see at least 2 goals scored.
Bet: anytime goalscorer Julian Alavrez at 39/20 with Sportingbet
Both halves over 1.5 total goals at 2/1 with Lucky Fish
Note odds quoted are subject to change