UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Predictions Including PSG vs Liverpool

The Champions League quarterfinals have arrived, offering some teams the hope of redemption for their 2025-26 seasons, while others look to march on, seeking further champion glory beyond their domestic leagues. Here’s your look at the first legs including PSG vs Liverpool.

Arsenal at Sporting CP (Tuesday in Lisbon)

With Arsenal suddenly out of form and set to travel to Lisbon, Sporting CP has renewed belief of making this a contest. Arsenal were knocked out of both English trophies recently, but they continue to lead the Premier League and could do the double if they also lift the Champions League. Arsenal don’t play thrilling football, but they know who they are and they know how to win. Sporting CP has won 17 straight at home and sit second in the Liga Portugal table, having lost only once this season overall. Arsenal has been relatively dominant in the UCL this season and still won’t be afraid of the away trip. Viktor Gyokeres just lifted Sweden into the World Cup and now takes on his former club, this time in the gunners jersey. Colombian international gem Luis Suarez is the Sporting CP man to watch.

Arsenal misses Piero Hincapie the Ecuador international, along with Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze. Sporting CP will have up to 3-5 regular players out, including Luis Guilherme and captain Morten Hjulmand. Sporting CP’s home form, and Arsenal’s attritional style of play sets this match up for a draw, Sporting CP will want to seize control of the contest and make Arsenal chase, but Arsenal might be too good for that. Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Bayern Munich at Real Madrid (Tuesday in Madrid)

An iconic matchup in world football, Spain’s most decorated team Real Madrid, goes up against Germany’s giant Bayern Munich. While Bayern marches on in the Bundesliga title race, Real Madrid are sinking, following a shock loss to Mallorca on the weekend. Real Madrid needs to win the Champions League, or the season looks to be a bust at the card table. Bayern away will look to avoid defeat before the matchup shifts to Germany. Looking rested and ready, Bayern have the best attack in Europe, Real Madrid look to be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and three other regular starters. Bayern could be without Harry Kane and will need to lean on Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson to fill that gap. Bayern’s goal will be to keep Real Madrid in a defensive posture for long periods of play.

Real Madrid don’t lack motivation, and Federico Valverde’s recent hat trick shows that anything is possible with the individual talents of many of their players, but it’s hard to see them blitzing Bayern here, a draw feels more suitable. Prediction: 2-2 Draw

Liverpool at PSG (Wednesday in Paris)

A game in hand an four points clear of second place in the Ligue 1, the signs are positive that PSG will get another domestic title. Repeating in Europe as winners of the Champions League also remains in frame, but they will need to get past Liverpool first. Liverpool are 5th in the Premier League and only have a single win in their last five matches across all competitions. Liverpool’s famous names, Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijik, the ones who have carried the club for years, are not performing at a high level. Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz are set to miss for PSG, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson will miss for Liverpool, but both squads are relatively fit.

Liverpool’s backline is vulnerable, and playing at home, PSG will do whatever they can to exploit that and put up 2+ goals. PSG should leave Paris with a defensible lead. Prediction: PSG 3-1

Atletico Madrid at FC Barcelona (Wednesday in Barcelona)

Lamine Yamal puts up a highlight reel every week, and FC Barcelona leads La Liga, but it’s the Champions League the Catalan club wants the most. Facing rival Atletico Madrid, a team they just beat, playing much of the match against 10 men, on the weekend, they look to continue that momentum. Twice Atletico Madrid stopped a prime FC Barcelona in the Champions League, they believe they have the squad to extend that record.

While Atletico are just 4th in La Liga, they are clearly focused on this series to define their season. Barcelona misses Brazilian international and key player Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong is also absent, while Jules Kounde might be able to come back and start. Atletico Madrid are set to miss US Men’s international Johnny Cardoso in the midfield, and Jose Gimenez in the backline.

The strikers duel is one to watch, Robert Lewandowski’s Poland missed out on the World Cup but he just scored the match winner on the weekend. Julian Alvarez continues to be the key scoring threat for Atletico. Playing at home, this should be Barcelona’s moment to shine, but their backline concedes more than they would like, as evidenced by Atletico’s 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals (that was followed up by a 3-0 Barcelona win in the next clash). Prediction: Barcelona 4-3