Champions League Quarter-Final Tips: Back Barca in their pursuit of history

James Horncastle
07 April 2019

Can Poch ruin City's procession?

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The Champions League quarter-finals are upon us with Manchester City chasing a quadruple, Barcelona the treble and Ajax another upset, as James Horncastle reports...

"Spurs have had a week's rest and can harness the effect of a jaw-dropping new stadium."

Can Spurs end City's quadruple dreams?

Tottenham v Man City
Tuesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Spurs have lost three in a row to Man City. They have lost four of their last seven games in all competitions. City on the other hand have won 13 of their last 14, keeping seven clean sheets in the past nine too.

The quadruple is on and Kevin de Bruyne is back doing Kevin de Bruyne things again, like setting up Gabriel Jesus' winner in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton. His return at this stage of the campaign feels almost unfair.

What is the case for Spurs then? Mauricio Pochettino has led Spurs to victory over City before. City have found the quarter-finals a glass ceiling in Guardiola's time in charge. They went out to Liverpool last year and have lost all four of their European ties against English opposition.

Spurs have had a week's rest and can harness the effect of a jaw-dropping new stadium. In terms of a boost, it's their equivalent of having de Bruyne back and on form. With that in mind, taking a home win or draw is definitely worth considering on Double Chance @ 2.1411/10.

The Old Lady mustn't underestimate Ajax

Ajax v Juventus
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 3

Juventus remain optimistic but Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Wednesday's game in Amsterdam. The loss is mitigated somewhat by the rise of Moise Kean. The teenager keeps winning game for his club. Kean was at it again on Saturday, coming off the bench to decide Juventus' clash with Milan in much the same way he did against Empoli the previous weekend. He has now scored in five consecutive games for club and country.

Ajax, meanwhile, keep going from strength to strength. After reopening the title race in Holland with an impressive 3-1 win over PSV, they trounced Emmen 5-2 in midweek and then Willem II 4-1 on Saturday. Aside from right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who is suspended for the first leg, coach Erik Ten Hag can choose from a full complement of players.

The exchange makes Juventus favourites to qualify @ 1.251/4. Odds of a win at the Johan Cruyff Arena are 2.23. It reflects perhaps the run Juventus went on between the end of last season and the beginning of this one when they beat Spurs at Wembley, Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Valencia at Mestalla and Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Since then though the Old Lady has lost her last two away games in this competition and Ajax play exactly the kind of up'em at'em style that causes Max Allegri's side problems. Ajax need only look at the mistake Leonardo Bonucci made at the weekend to be confident that playing a high press will bear fruit.

Juventus should have enough to qualify. But the first game in Amsterdam could be the stage of another Ajax show. Ten Hag's side are 3.613/5 to win.

Belief in treble grows at Barca

Manchester United v Barcelona
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Barcelona moved 11 points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win over Atletico on Saturday night. The margin of victory would have been greater were it not for the woodwork and another outstanding display of goalkeeping from Jan Oblak.

Down to 10 men to two-thirds of the game after Diego Costa's straight red, Atleti tried to make it interesting with bold substitutions. Diego Simeone replaced his full-backs Santiago Arias and Filipe Luis with Angel Correa and Alvaro Morata. But this was far from the bruising encounter Manchester United fans will have been hoping for ahead of Barcelona's trip to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Catalans travel to England knowing an eighth La Liga title in 11 years is in the bag and with it the first constituent part of another treble. United have had a week to prepare and Marcus Rashford looks set to be fit after an ankle injury.

Barcelona, on the other hand, have never won at the Theatre of Dreams and one wonders how much going out at this stage in each of the last three years will weigh on the players' minds. Lionel Messi has failed to score in his last 11 Champions League quarter-final ties and Luis Suarez has gone 24 hours without an away goal in this competition. His last one came against Roma - not last year, but in the group stages in September 2015.

The question is: can United take advantage of this bizarre trend? Are they Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea in Red? The problem is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have not played well of late and have already lost to Juventus and PSG at Old Trafford this season. Messi has scored in six consecutive games and if he performs like he did at Wembley against Spurs in October, it will be a long night. Take Barcelona @ 2.0811/10.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer head and shoulders 1280.jpg

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