Champions League Best Bets: Quarter-Finals First Leg, 7-8 April 2026

The knockout phase of the 2025/26 Champions League continues this week, as the eight remaining teams contest the first legs of the quarter-finals.

• Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will go head-to-head, as will PSG and Liverpool

• Arsenal face Sporting CP in Lisbon, while Barcelona host Atletico Madrid

Champions League Quarter-Finals Odds

The odds for the Champions League Quarter-finals contained in this article are taken from the Caesars sportsbook. Sign up for a Caesars account and claim your bonus using WSNDYW promo code: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x

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Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich

Over 3.5 Goals (+120) at Caesars Sportsbook

This is a mouthwatering clash between two genuine European heavyweights. Real Madrid are the most successful side in the history of this competition, having gotten their hands on the trophy no fewer than 15 times. Only the Blancos and AC Milan have triumphed more often than Bayern Munich, who have been crowned kings of the continent on six separate occasions.

Despite home advantage and their considerable Champions League pedigree, Madrid are underdogs for the first leg. In one sense that is not surprising: Bayern have been among the most impressive performers across the continent this term. Yet it is rare to see Madrid as second-favorites in any Champions League contest.

Avoid the moneyline for this one and instead look at the total goals market. Bayern’s matches this season have been ludicrously high-scoring, with this bet paying out more often than not when Vincent Kompany’s crew are in action. Madrid will have little choice but to fight fire with fire - good news both for the neutrals and for those who back over 3.5 goals.

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PSG vs. Liverpool

PSG to Win (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook

These two teams met in the last 16 of the 2024/25 Champions League. Liverpool won the first leg at the Parc des Princes with an extraordinary smash and grab, but Paris Saint-Germain ended up advancing after triumphing on penalties at the end of the second leg. It proved to be a vital step on the path to European glory for Luis Enrique’s side, who subsequently beat Aston Villa, Arsenal and Inter to lift the trophy.

Liverpool put that disappointment behind them to win the Premier League title, but they have looked much more convincing in Europe than at home this season. Arne Slot will hope that proves to be the case again when his team visit Paris this week, but Liverpool are in store for a difficult 90 minutes in the French capital.

PSG tend to be more effective against opponents like Liverpool who do not simply sit back and defend in a low block. With the home fans behind them, the defending champions can win the first leg of their quarter-final against Liverpool.

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Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid

Over 1.5 Goals Second Half (-140) at Caesars Sportsbook

An all-Spanish quarter-final pits Barcelona against Atletico Madrid, so La Liga is guaranteed to supply at least one Champions League semi-finalist. Atletico recently beat Barcelona over two legs in the Copa del Rey, so neither Hansi Flick nor his players will take anything for granted. However, Barcelona deserve to be favorites - both in the first leg at the Camp Nou and in the tie overall.

Flick’s team will not want to go into the second leg with a slender lead given how effective Atletico can be in front of their own fans. Barcelona will aim to win big this week to put their opponents in a difficult position. Expect plenty of attacking soccer from the Catalans.

Atletico are not as defensive as they once were, but they will go back to basics in the first half in particular, with Diego Simeone likely to instruct his players to keep things tight first and foremost. However, the match could open up after the break, so we like the look of over 1.5 goals in the second period.

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Sporting CP vs. Arsenal

Arsenal to Win (-140) at Caesars Sportsbook

Sporting CP mounted a comeback in the round of 16. After losing the first leg 3-0 to Bodo/Glimt, they did not let their heads drop and instead won the second leg 5-0 on home soil. The Portuguese outfit are rank outsiders to win the tournament from here, but they will aim to use their unfancied status to their advantage against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's men are on a downer. Two routes to silverware have been closed off recently, as Arsenal lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City before being dumped out of the FA Cup by Southampton. Arsenal need to get back on track quickly, so they will be under pressure to deliver against Sporting CP.

This will not be an entirely one-sided encounter. Sporting CP are capable of giving Arsenal something to think about, especially in the home leg. However, the Gunners should ultimately have too much for Sporting CP. An away win is the way to go in this first leg.

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How to Watch Champions League Quarter-Finals

• Location: Europe

• Dates: Tuesday 7 April - Wednesday 8 April

• How to Watch: Paramount+