European Midweek Football Returns

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals brings the mouth-watering clash of Real Madrid hosting Bayern Munich. With plenty of attacking prowess on show there could be goals in this tie though Harry Kane faces a late fitness test for his side’s trip to the Bernabeu.

Wednesday evening brings another heavyweight clash as current Champions League holders PSG take on reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in what should be another special night at Parc des Princes. Though a generally misfiring Liverpool will go in as underdogs to make their first Champions League semi-final since 2022.

Meanwhile Barcelona, fresh from their last-16 mauling of Newcastle, travel to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in another interesting tie. Barca, after their painful 7-6 aggregate exit to Inter Milan at the semi-final stage last year, will be keen to go all the way this season and are third favourites to do so. Though it is always foolish to count out an Atletico side who have made the semi-final stages three times in Simeone’s reign as boss.

Of course there is also the first legs of the quarter finals of the Europa League and Conference League this week with three British sides still going for glory.

In the Europa League, Aston Villa travel to Bologna, having already beaten the Italian side in the league phase. Incredibly, Villa boss Unai Emery is going for his fifth Europa League title as a manager and his side are clear favourites to win the competition outright.

Nottingham Forest, in their first European quarter-final in 30 years, will have something to say about that. Though they face a tough away first leg versus Porto.

Meanwhile in the Conference League, Crystal Palace are in their first major European quarter-final ever and like Villa in the Europa League are favourites to go all the way. However they face a stern test as Fiorentina visit Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.

Follow all the midweek European football action this week at CopyBet.