Champions League Betting Preview: Quarter-finals, Apr. 14-15

And then there were eight.

The Champions League resumes this week with the first leg of the quarter-final stage on show, offering up some thoroughly intriguing matchups - both new and old.

There's familiarity in Spain, with the latest installment of the Madrid derby accompanied by a group-stage rematch between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, Juventus versus Monaco offers a meeting of two sides who, for different reasons, may not have been expected to still be kicking by this stage of the tournament.

And then there's the German juggernaut that is Bayern Munich, walking wounded thanks to a handful of injuries to some of the very best players the sport has to offer. Can Porto pull off what would be, regardless of the ailments hampering the Bundesliga side, a massive upset?

Here's a betting overview for this week's matches.

Juventus v. Monaco

Odds:

Analysis: Monaco will head to the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday looking for a repeat of the performance that saw them score three away goals in the opening leg of their round-of-16 tie against Arsenal. Against a Juventus side that has conceded just once in their last seven matches - six of those being wins - that looks to be a daunting prospect for Leonardo Jardim and company. 

The tie looks destined to be a tight, low-scoring affair, and the recent rest afforded to a number of key starters, the high-flying Carlos Tevez chief among them, could be enough to see the Italian side edge out what should be an intriguing matchup.

Prediction: Juventus 1, Monaco 0

The Play: Juventus to win at 1/2 (bet365)

Atletico Madrid v. Real Madrid

Odds:

Analysis: Atletico Madrid is enjoying an unprecedented run of success against their more illustrious city counterparts, going undefeated in the last six Madrid derbies - with their four wins highlighted by an emphatic 4-0 hammering at the Vicente Calderon in February.

Real Madrid seems to have gotten back on track since that debacle, and while they will be much improved on Tuesday, this fiery contest has all the makings of a thoroughly entertaining draw.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 1

The Play: Draw at 23/10 (bet365)

FC Porto v. Bayern Munich

Odds:

Analysis: Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Medhi Benatia, Javi Martinez. This isn't an All-Star lineup for a seven-a-side match. No, this is a list of all the players Bayern Munich will be missing in the opening leg of their contest with Porto, as injuries continue to ravage the German champions.

Regardless, a Bayern side that has kept a clean sheet in six of eight Champions League matches this season still has a wealth of firepower going in the other direction, with the likes of Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze fit and firing on all cylinders.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 1, FC Porto 0

The Play: Bayern Munich to win at 5/6 (William Hill)

Paris Saint-Germain v. Barcelona

Odds:

Analysis: This is not the Barcelona that conceded three goals and lost to Paris Saint-Germain in their Group F encounter earlier this year. No, this is the most fearsome attacking team on the planet, one that has lost a mere four times in their last 42 matches since the aforementioned contest in September.

Going up against a PSG side that will be missing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti and Serge Aurier through suspension, along with David Luiz and Thiago Motta due to injuries, Barcelona should take care of business on Wednesday.

Prediction: Barcelona 2, PSG 1

The Play: Over 2.5 goals at 20/23 (BetVictor)

Odds courtesy bet365, BetVictor, William Hill