Champions League Picks

In the Champions League Quarter-Finals, we saw some outstanding play across the board, in what was will definitely go does as one of the exciting rounds in recent memory.

We first saw PSG and Chelsea pull off nail-biters against demanding clubs in Bayern Munich and FC Porto.

Only to then witness Man City climb their way back into the Champions League Semis, and Real Madrid knock out the defending champions Liverpool.

All these clubs have shown their worth thus far in the competition, taking out prolific teams night after night.

Whoever comes out of this mess alive definitely deserves their spot at the top.

However, with all of the hype just starting to build for the next round of competition, there are still questions looming as to if the season will even continue.

As of last week, stories have emerged of the potential for a European Super League to be formed, consisting of the top soccer teams on the planet.

This multibillion-dollar proposal is still in the works, but there are already some big-time clubs that decided to become founding members of the new league.

With 12 clubs having already committed to the idea, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

UEFA has also already fought back against this idea and warned the teams that remain in this year’s Champions League (Chelsea, Man City, and Real Madrid) about sanctions if they choose to participate in this new league.

Then they will be forfeiting their ability to play in future UEFA competitions.

This includes potential banning of International play, including the Olympics and the World Cup.

It is no surprise that these teams are some of the most valuable clubs in the world, as these money-hungry clubs have clearly shown their true colors.

The idea was met immediately with massive amounts of criticism, and outrage from fans, players, and even politicians worldwide.

As many have spoken out against the idea and are generally disappointed with the clubs involved.

Opponents say that it is no more than a greedy scheme for the mega-rich clubs to attract more money while capping the smaller clubs and limiting their potential.

It remains to be seen if this new league will indeed be formed, but the good news is that some of these clubs have already had meetings to discuss potentially dropping the proposal.

For now, we can hope that these super clubs realize the impact this new league could have on domestic competition, as well as international play.

However, assuming the Champions League matches are played as expected, we believe the games should go as follows.

Chelsea @ Real Madrid – 3:00 PM (EST)/Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Chelsea is coming off a narrow win over Portuguese club Porto with a 2-1 win on aggregate to clinch a spot in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 7 years. Chelsea has benefited tremendously from Jorginho, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, and Tammy Abraham.

As well as the strategic approach of Tuchel, as he changed Chelsea’s system to a 3-4-2-1, from the 4-3-3 previously used by Lampard. This change has allowed the club to be less predictable. The main objective of the formation is to completely overwhelm opposing defenses by outnumbering them on the counter-attack.

This new formation allows Chelsea far more tactical flexibility, as it gives them the option to adjust in real-time based on how the match is going. The 3-4-2-1 has allowed Chelsea to dominate possession and keep opponents on their toes.

However, Real Madrid should remain the betting favorites going into the matchup due to their overall talent level, experience, and depth. Real Madrid boasts one of the more potent lineups in the competition, with experienced superstars like Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Casemiro leading the pack.

At the same time, young studs like Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Ferland Mendy, and Vinicius Junior seek to etch their names in football glory. Zinedine Zidane’s squad sports a 4-2-3-1 formation and has goal scorers scattered all throughout the pitch.

As impressive as Chelsea has been in 2021, they will likely see their season cut short due to the overwhelming dominance of Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

Manchester City @ PSG – 3:00 PM (EST)/Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Manchester City is set to face a giant of European football, PSG. Following a dramatic finish over Borussia Dortmund in the Quarter-Finals, including a late goal in the second half to seal a 2-1 victory (4-2 aggregate). Man City is riding high right now with the play of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and their leader, Kevin De Bruyne.

This results in spectacular domestic play and one of the more robust defensive schemes left in the field with their formidable 4-3-3 formation. Their attack is brilliant and has been going for a while. But they’ve added greater defensive solidity, with only three goals conceded in their ten games played so far. But now they face the toughest opponent test of them all, Paris Saint Germain.

PSG is loaded with talent, including some of the biggest names in football, such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe, and Keylor Nevas. They are potentially the most skillful, athletic, and deepest-playing club left in the competition, and they had always delivered when it mattered. The French striker has been in absolutely magnificent form, scoring 3 goals on an away trim at Barcelona and then 2 more in Munich.

Even though Man City has reclaimed their spot at the top of English football, don’t expect it to continue as they face a team destined for glory, PSG. PSG are the betting favorites going into this game, and they should be able to win both legs on their way back to a Champions League Final. 

Conclusion

While many believe the winner of the Man City-PSG matchup to be the leading favorite to win the whole thing, don’t expect this to discourage the likes of Madrid or Chelsea.

All clubs involved are more than capable of taking home the trophy in Istanbul. All that’s left to do is pick your squad, find your preferred sportsbook, and place some bets.

With sports gambling now being legal in so many U.S. states, and with there being so much UEFA competition on the horizon. This is the perfect time to make your picks and place your bets and watch these talented squads duel it out to be the winner of the 2021 Champions League. Visit BestAppBet’s recommended sportsbooks in each state, and place your legal bets. Claim a free bonus today!