Champions League quarter-finals: Predictions, best bets and odds

Champions League: Quarter-finals predictions, best bets and odds
Champions League: Quarter-finals predictions, best bets and oddsFlashscore/AFP

The UEFA Champions League makes a welcome return this midweek for the quarter-final first legs. Football betting analyst Frank Monkhouse previews all four matches.

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The UEFA Champions League enters the quarter-finals, with a 36-team field reduced to just eight. We lost some big names in the Last 16, including Newcastle United, Galatasaray, Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, and Man City. That leaves Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Sporting, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG and Liverpool in the running.

The four quarter-finals are spread evenly across Tuesday and Wednesday. With every match broadcast on television and the best live streaming apps, it's a great time to be a football fan.

We have games in Madrid and Lisbon on Tuesday, before the action in Barcelona and Paris takes centre stage on Wednesday. All four ties kick off at 20:00 BST.

The UKGC betting apps featured on this page offer a wealth of pre-match and live markets on all four quarters.

You can keep it simple and predict the match winner or hunt for value in the both teams to score, handicap, totals, first scorer, and more. Need a helping hand? Football betting writer Frank Monkhouse guides Flashscore readers through his picks

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, Tuesday, 20:00 BST

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Real Madrid vs Bayern MunichFlashscore/AFP

It may be the quarter-finals, but Champions League fans enjoy a pairing that's good enough to be a final: Real Madrid v Bayern Munich.

The competition's most successful team against one of the early-season favourites. This match will be decided over two legs, but Blancos know their best chance of progressing comes from making home advantage count.

The head-to-head stats available at Flashscore show that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have met no fewer than 28 times in competitive action.

There's very little between the sides, with Madrid winning 13 times, Munich claiming 11 wins, and four matches ending in a draw. The most recent clash produced a 2-1 win for the Spaniards two years ago.

Real Madrid finished ninth in the Champions League. Stats of five wins against three defeats forced them into a two-legged playoff with Benfica. A 2-1 win at this venue meant Madrid won 3-1 on aggregate.

They then thrashed Man City 5-1 over two legs in the Last 16. Madrid's results show that a bet on over 2.5 goals landed in their previous three UCL starts.

Bayern Munich started the 2025/26 Champions League campaign as favourites with many respected bookmakers. The Germans got through their first eight games with seven wins, losing only to Arsenal.

FCB scored 22 goals in those eight matches, before beating Atalanta 6-1 in Italy, and 10-2 on aggregate. Back this match to produce more than two goals.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/9 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need Real Madrid v Bayern Munich to produce more than two goals.

Sporting v Arsenal, Tuesday, 20:00 BST

Sporting vs Arsenal
Sporting vs ArsenalFlashscore/AFP

Sporting and Arsenal go head-to-head at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The home team secured their place in the Last 16 by finishing seventh in the Champions League.

Stats of five wins, one draw, and two defeats placed Sporting ahead of Man City, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and PSG. Arsenal finished in pole position, thanks to eight wins from eight games.

Sporting drew Bodo/Glimt in the previous round. They lost the first leg 3-0, meaning the pressure was on Sporting at home in the return.

They needed a big performance, and got it. A 5-0 home win ensured their progress. That result means each of Sporting's last five Champions League games has produced three or more goals, and 22 in total.

When a high-scoring host plays a confident visitor, armchair fans get excited. Arsenal finished top of the Champions League after winning all eight of their matches. They crossed the line as the competition's highest scorers and the team with the best defence.

In the Last 16, Arsenal drew 1-1 at Leverkusen and beat the Germans 2-0 in London. I expect more goals, and suggest backing both teams to score.

Flashscore app users know these teams have met seven times previously. Sporting have never beaten the Premier League leaders, with the head-to-head stats showing three wins for Arsenal and four draws.

The most recent match ended in a 5-1 win for the Brits on the road in November 2024. The visiting fans would love a repeat performance.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need these high-scoring teams to find the net at least once each on Tuesday evening.

Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, Wednesday, 20:00 BST

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Barcelona vs Atletico MadridFlashscore/AFP

Moving to Wednesday, and we have another two exciting showdowns. Barcelona play Atletico Madrid in an all-Spanish affair, ensuring La Liga will have at least one side in the semi-finals.

Barcelona are experienced enough to know they must make home advantage count. Atletico Madrid aim to avoid defeat and keep the tie alive ahead of the second leg.

Barcelona have won this title five times between 1992 and 2015. That's impressive, but it's been more than a decade since they last lifted the trophy, too long, in the opinion of most fans. Barcelona won their last three UCL league games to finish fifth, scoring 22 goals in total, just one shy of Arsenal. 

They then thumped Newcastle United 8-3 on aggregate, thanks to a 7-2 win at this stadium.

Atletico Madrid make the short trip for this match, knowing they haven't beaten their opposition on the road since December 2024.

The teams have met twice at the Camp Nou this season, with the aggregate score reading 6-1 in Barcelona's favour. That encourages us to side with the home win. Add Barcelona to your midweek accumulators and hope this match follows the form.

The head-to-head stats show Barcelona have 40 wins in this fixture, with Atletico Madrid on 21 victories, and 18 draws. Madrid beat Wednesday's rivals 4-0 in the Copa del Rey in February, ensuring they'll prepare without fear. Barcelona are the better team and boasts the home advantage, making them a strong addition to our midweek multiples.

Tip: Barcelona win @ 1/2 (bet365)

Bet explanation: If Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid, you'll beat the bookies. A 1-0 win pays the same as a 5-0 result.

PSG v Liverpool, Wednesday, 20:00 BST

PSG vs Liverpool
PSG vs LiverpoolFlashscore/AFP

I've saved the best for last, with the defending champions playing the six-time European Cup winners in Paris. PSG surprised many when finishing 11th, with four wins, two draws, and a couple of defeats.

They edged fellow Ligue 1 side Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, drawing 2-2 at the Parc des Princes. PSG were more convincing when beating Chelsea 8-2 in the Last 16.

Liverpool finished third in the Champions League, eight places above their hosts. The Reds met Galatasaray in the Last 16, losing the first leg 1-0 in Turkey.

Arne Slot's team swung things in their favour with a dominant display at Anfield, winning 4-0 to charge through. A clean sheet and four different scorers made it a special night for Liverpool and their fans.

PSG have played six home games in this season's Champions League. It's worth knowing that both teams scored in the last five. In the games played at this iconic stadium, the defending champions scored 18 goals and conceded 10. Liverpool have played five away games, scoring nine goals and conceding three.

Those stats encourage us to bet on over 2.5 goals in this match. The odds allow you to bet as a single, but it'll work best in accas.

Trawling through the PSG vs Liverpool head-to-head stats shows the Parisians and Reds have crossed paths six times already.

PSG have three wins, with Liverpool claiming victory in the other three matches. BTTS landed in half of the last four meetings, with the team playing away from home winning the previous two. Another fascinating encounter awaits.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 1/2 (bet365)

Bet explanation: If both PSG and Liverpool find the net at least once on Wednesday evening in Paris, you'll beat the bookies and secure a profit.

Discover the Best Betting Bonuses

If you're looking to take advantage of the Champions League matches for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you'll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.

The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.