Sunday 30 April 2017

Match Preview: AS Monaco - Juventus

Monaco have been a big hit this CL Season and will try to prevent Juventus from reaching their 2 Final in 3 years. Juve are favourites, but Monaco have proven they can score against anyone, and if Mbappe and Falcao continue their scoring run, anything is possible. Both teams have a fully fit squad, the only one missing will be Sami Khedira, as he has a yellow card suspension. At Friday's training session there was a collision between Glik and Bakayoko - who suffered a broken nose and is now doubtful for the first match.

Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini & Barzagli helped Juve to only concede 2 goals in this season of UCL (Photo: betfair.com)
Predicted Lineups:
Subašič; Sidibe, Glik, Jemerson, Mendy; Fabinho, Bakayoko/Moutinho, B.Silva, Lemar; Mbappe, Falcao

Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Marchisio, Pjanić; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandžukič; Higuain

Kylian Mbappe vs Gonzalo Higuain (Photo: sport.bt.com)
Our Prediction:
Juventus will use their experience and play cautious in the away match. Expect less Monaco goals than usual, as Juve do not concede many. Result: Draw 1:1

Match Preview: Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid

This Season we will see the Madrid Derby again, as last year's Finalists will play for a place in the Cardiff Final. They met in 2 of the last 3 Finals, with Real Madrid coming out as winners both times. Can Atletico finally beat their rivals or will the Blancos end Atleti's dream once again?
Both teams have some injury problems, as Bale and Pepe are out for Real Madrid and Juanfran, Carrasco and Gimenez are out for Atleti.

Ronaldo scored a penalty in last season's Final (Photo: sportskeeda.com) 
Predicted Lineups:
Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrič; Isco/James, Benzema, Ronaldo

Oblak; Hernandez, Savić, Godin, Filipe Luis; Saul, Gabi, Partey, Koke; Gameiro, Griezmann

Sergio Ramos vs. Antoine Griezmann will be one of the key battles once again (Photo: football fans.ge)
Our Prediction:
Atletico will be very cautious and will focus on defending, while Real Madrid will try to score to be in a leading position for the return leg at the Vicente Calderon. As always it should be a tight encounter with a low score. Result: Draw 0:0

Monday 17 April 2017

Match Preview: Barcelona - Juventus

Juventus took their chances and locked their clean sheet - they carry a big 3:0 lead to Barcelona. Is it possible that Barca manage another miracle? It will certainly be even more difficult as Juventus are a very experienced team and have a strong defence and legend Buffon in goal. But anything is possible in football so we should see a very exciting battle. Can Messi score against Buffon for the first time in his career?

Dybala scored twice at home but is an injury doubt for the return match (Photo: sportsnet.ca)
Predicted Lineups:
Ter Stegen, S.Roberto, Umtiti, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitič; Suarez, Messi, Neymar

Buffon; Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Pjanić; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandžukič; Higuan

Can Messi and Neymar manage another comeback?
Our Prediction:
Barcelona will surely give it all they have, but it might be to little against a tactically strong Juventus. Result: Barcelona win 3:1

Match Preview: Monaco - Borussia Dortmund

Monaco managed to win in the away match, but it was a very difficult match for the BVB team as their bus was in a bomb attack the day before the match. It was obvious that the players were still shocked but managed to score 2 goals nevertheless. Marco Reus is also back which could boost their chances to turn it around.

Mbappe was on fire vs BVB (Photo: ligainsider.de)
Predicted Lineups:
Subašić; Mendy, Glik, Jemerson, Raggi; Bakayoko, Moutinho, B.Silva, Lemar; Mbappe, Falcao

Burki; Durm, Piszczek, Sokratis, Ginter, Guerreiro; Sahin, Weigl; Dembele, Kagawa, Reus; Aubameyang

Our Prediction:
BVB need a good start and composure in front of goal as they should have plenty of opportunities. Result: BVB win 3:1

Match Preview: Real Madrid - Bayern Munich

Real Madrid were 1:0 and a penalty down, but Arturo Vidal's missed penalty and a red card for Javi Martinez gave Real Madrid a chance which they took really well. The win could have been even bigger, however Manuel Neuer saved a couple of shots that only he is capable of saving. Robert Lewandowski, who missed the first leg due to injury is back in training and will boost Bayern' chances of turning the tie in their favor. The Germans have injury problems in defence though, as Javi Martinez is suspended and Boateng and Hummels are both injured.

One of the key battles will be Robben vs. Marcelo (Photo: newsday.com)
Predicted Lineups:
Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrič; Vazquez, Benzema, Ronaldo

Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Alaba, Bernat; Vidal, Alonso; Robben, Thiago, Ribery, Lewandowski

Our Prediction: 
We should see an enteraining match again and with Lewandowski back, Bayern's chances are much better. Result: Bayern win 2:1 and go through on penalties.

Match Preview: Leicester City - Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid dominated in the first leg, but were unable to score more than Griezmann's penalty, so they only carry a 1:0 lead to England. Leicester will be looking for a surprise again, but Atletico Madrid have a really good defence, so it will be an uphill task.

Griezmann sent Schmeichel the wrong way from the penalty spot (Photo: mirror.co.uk)
Predicted Lineups:
Schmeichel; Simpson, Benalouane, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Ndidi, Drinkwater, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy

Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savić, F.Luis; Koke, Saul, Gabi, Carrasco; Gameiro, Griezmann

Our Prediction:
Leicester City will be giving everything to upset Atletico, but Atleti should be too strong, especially in defence. Result: Atletico win 0:1

Monday 10 April 2017

Match Preview: Atletico Madrid - Leicester City

One of the strongest defenses in the competition will host perhaps the most surprising Quarter Finalists - Leicester City. Can Vardy, Mahrez & company continue their run?

Atletico Madrid vs. Leicester City (Photo: atleticodemadrid.com)
Predicted Lineups
Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savić, Luis; Saul, Gabi, Koke, Carrasco; Torres, Griezmann

Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton; Slimani, Vardy

Who will celebrate in the end? (Photo: si.com)
Our Prediction:
Atletico Madrid should be able to use their experience and win this match. Result: Atleti win 2:0

Sunday 9 April 2017

Match Preview: Bayern - Real Madrid

Defending Champions Real Madrid travel to Munich to meet Bayern, who are arguably the most in-form team in Europe at the moment. There are no major injury problems, Varane is out for Madrid and Manuel Neuer faces a race against time to be fit for Wednesday.

Photo: vtvcab.vn
Predicted Lineups:
Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Martinez , Alaba; Xabi Alonso, Vidal; Robben, Thiago, Ribery; Lewandowski

Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Photo: si.com)
Our Prediction:
This could be Bayern's year, they are in top form and could be too strong for Madrid. Result: Bayern win 3:1.

Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund - Monaco

Two of the most attacking teams in the tournament will be battling for a Semi-Final place. This should be an open, attacking display with plenty goals.

Photo: Twitter
Predicted Lineups:
Burki; Durm, Piszczek, Sokratis, Bartra, Schmelzer; Weigl, Castro; Dembele, Kagawa; Aubameyang

Subašič; Sidibe, Glik, Jemerson, Mendy; Fabinho, Joao Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Lemar; Mbappe, Falcao

Aubameyang vs. Falcao (Photo: Sport1.de)
Our Prediction:
Monaco are a very exciting team, but BVB should use their experience at the biggest stage and win. Result: BVB win 4:2

Match Preview: Juventus - Barcelona

Juventus meet Barcelona in the Quarter Finals and this should be a very entertaining match. Barcelona lost at the weekend but they are still flying high after their miracle turnaround against PSG.

Photo: forzaitalianfootball.com
Predicted Lineups:
Buffon; Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio; Mandžukič, Pjanić, Dybala; Higuain

Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitič, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Higuain & Dybala vs. Messi, Suarez Neymar (Photo: si.com)
Our Prediction
Juventus has a very strong defence, but Barca's MSN attack should be able to get at least one away goal. Result: Draw 1:1.