⚽UEFA Champions League Discussion Thread -- 2023/24 | Prelim Qualifiers

[Lordhermes]

Liverpool are a really unfortunate team to have a draw against Real Madrid this much earlier. I wonder whether this will be the revenge time or not. It's just hard to say something about that confidently for now. But if I'm to make a comment on the team to advance taking the current conditions into account, then I can also say that Real Madrid are one step ahead. I like their performance in this season even more.

I can see the vast majority tipping Real Madrid to win against Liverpool but they have forgotten that football is unpredictable.
The main fact Real Madrid has had the upper hand over Liverpool in recent seasons doesn't mean it will continue. There must surely be a stop to it. And who knows, it might be this season because Liverpool this season has been unpredictable. February 14th is not that close. Anything can happen. Don't underestimate Liverpool now. They are coming back stronger by next year.

I know you're just saying this for typing sake,  just accept the fact that Liverpool is very unfortunate to be drawn with Madrid in the knockout stage of the champions league. Madrid is one of the favourite for the title this season, Liverpool has unbalanced team compared to Madrid that's complete from the defence to the midfield and to the attack. No one should deceive that Liverpool can scale through. This is their end to champions league journey.

[KTChampions]

I can see the vast majority tipping Real Madrid to win against Liverpool but they have forgotten that football is unpredictable.
The main fact Real Madrid has had the upper hand over Liverpool in recent seasons doesn't mean it will continue. There must surely be a stop to it. And who knows, it might be this season because Liverpool this season has been unpredictable. February 14th is not that close. Anything can happen. Don't underestimate Liverpool now. They are coming back stronger by next year.

I know you're just saying this for typing sake,  just accept the fact that Liverpool is very unfortunate to be drawn with Madrid in the knockout stage of the champions league. Madrid is one of the favourite for the title this season, Liverpool has unbalanced team compared to Madrid that's complete from the defence to the midfield and to the attack. No one should deceive that Liverpool can scale through. This is their end to champions league journey.

Brutal 
Although I support Real Madrid, I do not agree with such categoricalness - every team has a chance, even Villarreal was able to send Bayern home last year. But on the other hand, I do not agree with the bookmakers who believe that Liverpool is the favorite in this pair (it looks like a mockery against the backdrop of high-profile disasters that Liverpool have had this season). I think that Real is the favorite in this pair, and which team will go further will be seen later. Plus, we must take into account that the shape of the teams after the World Cup can seriously change.

[arimamib]

Liverpool are a really unfortunate team to have a draw against Real Madrid this much earlier. I wonder whether this will be the revenge time or not. It's just hard to say something about that confidently for now. But if I'm to make a comment on the team to advance taking the current conditions into account, then I can also say that Real Madrid are one step ahead. I like their performance in this season even more.

I can see the vast majority tipping Real Madrid to win against Liverpool but they have forgotten that football is unpredictable.
The main fact Real Madrid has had the upper hand over Liverpool in recent seasons doesn't mean it will continue. There must surely be a stop to it. And who knows, it might be this season because Liverpool this season has been unpredictable. February 14th is not that close. Anything can happen. Don't underestimate Liverpool now. They are coming back stronger by next year.

I agree with this, football is very difficult to predict, as Real Madrid just experienced when they lost to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Everyone bet on Real Madrid's victory, but in reality the outcome of the match said otherwise, Real Madrid was humiliated by Rayo Vallecano.
Not always Real Madrid can beat Liverpool and vice versa. Football is a team game that always gives unexpected surprises on the field, teams that are not seeded can sometimes be stronger than the seeded team.

Lately Real Madrid is experiencing a decline in performance, a draw with Girona and a loss to Rayo means that Real Madrid can't always win games, maybe this time Liverpool will be the team that can make Real Madrid suffer in the UCL.

[emrecemsan]

It looks like it is the end of the road for Club Brugge and Frankfurt on paper. Because both of them have really tough matchups against Benfica and Napoli respectively.

Benfica had a very impressive group stage. I think that it was a huge achievement for them to finish the group ahead of PSG by not even losing to them for once. This is showing how much willing they are to be successful in the Champions League now. They lost Nunez to Liverpool while he was like a goal machine. But this still didn't affect them badly at all. They should be eliminating Club Brugge nicely as well.

We know how insane Napoli are this season. They are just incredible not only here but also in the Serie A. Not every team can keep two important tournaments balanced. But Napoli are good at it now. They finished a group with Liverpool and Ajax as the leader. Now they have got the most comfortable matchup compared to the other teams. Frankfurt don't have much experience here. Unless Napoli lose their focus Frankfurt isn't a big obstacle.

[Cryptomultiplier]

It looks like it is the end of the road for Club Brugge and Frankfurt on paper. Because both of them have really tough matchups against Benfica and Napoli respectively.

Benfica had a very impressive group stage. I think that it was a huge achievement for them to finish the group ahead of PSG by not even losing to them for once. This is showing how much willing they are to be successful in the Champions League now. They lost Nunez to Liverpool while he was like a goal machine. But this still didn't affect them badly at all. They should be eliminating Club Brugge nicely as well.

We know how insane Napoli are this season. They are just incredible not only here but also in the Serie A. Not every team can keep two important tournaments balanced. But Napoli are good at it now. They finished a group with Liverpool and Ajax as the leader. Now they have got the most comfortable matchup compared to the other teams. Frankfurt don't have much experience here. Unless Napoli lose their focus Frankfurt isn't a big obstacle.

My interest is Napoli. How they fought from the beginning till now. They came prepared as far as the league is concerned and their performance so far as rightly put is absolutely incredible. Seriously, with serial A, they have been outstanding in discipline and ability to win matches while maintaining composure and in the champions league, they have shown they can go far. Football is however full of shocks. Let's hope Napoli wins their next fixture as it should be an easy one for them against Frankfurt. Victor  Osihmen is one player to look out for. Am hoping he plays and scores more scintillating goals.

[darxiaomi]

Yes Napoli seems for first time in a ton of years (To be more specific since Maradona join and leave them) very strong and with serious chance of doing something big.

But lets wait they are in the peak of performance and you cant be so much time in that peak, lets hope they have fuel to the second part of the season.

In P$G bayern i have no idea who can pass this round Bayern its not the same as years ago.

[CLS63]

PSG - Bayern Munich is indeed another interesting matchup in this round.

PSG did a really good job against them in their final meet in the Champions League. Maybe they eliminated them thanks to the away goal rule but the result was the most important thing of course. PSG didn't have Messi against Bayern Munich then as well. I have mixed feelings about this matchup again. Now PSG have a really great trio. Messi is injured now maybe but he would return until then I assume. Bayern Munich have lost Lewandowski and haven't brought anyone in his place. But they are still showing a marvelous performance. For now I won't favour any side and I want to see their recent forms right before this matchup first.

[Daniel91]

I can see the vast majority tipping Real Madrid to win against Liverpool but they have forgotten that football is unpredictable.
The main fact Real Madrid has had the upper hand over Liverpool in recent seasons doesn't mean it will continue. There must surely be a stop to it. And who knows, it might be this season because Liverpool this season has been unpredictable. February 14th is not that close. Anything can happen. Don't underestimate Liverpool now. They are coming back stronger by next year.

I know you're just saying this for typing sake,  just accept the fact that Liverpool is very unfortunate to be drawn with Madrid in the knockout stage of the champions league. Madrid is one of the favourite for the title this season, Liverpool has unbalanced team compared to Madrid that's complete from the defence to the midfield and to the attack. No one should deceive that Liverpool can scale through. This is their end to champions league journey.

Brutal 
Although I support Real Madrid, I do not agree with such categoricalness - every team has a chance, even Villarreal was able to send Bayern home last year. But on the other hand, I do not agree with the bookmakers who believe that Liverpool is the favorite in this pair (it looks like a mockery against the backdrop of high-profile disasters that Liverpool have had this season). I think that Real is the favorite in this pair, and which team will go further will be seen later. Plus, we must take into account that the shape of the teams after the World Cup can seriously change.

The Champions League is a very uncertain competition and surprises always happen and some clubs unexpectedly reach the semi-finals or quarter-finals of the competition, like Villarreal last season.
This season, there are many more surprises and even Barcelona, Juventus, Atletico did not make it to the knockout phase of the competition.
If the match between Real and Liverpool was played now, Real would definitely have the advantage, but I think that this break in all competitions due to the world cup could help Liverpool.
We don't know in what condition the players will return from the World Cup, and Liverpool was much better in the second half of the season last season as well.

[RealMalatesta]

The Champions League is a very uncertain competition and surprises always happen and some clubs unexpectedly reach the semi-finals or quarter-finals of the competition, like Villarreal last season.
This season, there are many more surprises and even Barcelona, Juventus, Atletico did not make it to the knockout phase of the competition.
If the match between Real and Liverpool was played now, Real would definitely have the advantage, but I think that this break in all competitions due to the world cup could help Liverpool.
We don't know in what condition the players will return from the World Cup, and Liverpool was much better in the second half of the season last season as well.

I do agree that it’s not going to be a year where nothing shocking happens, I think there will be some shocking results for sure, but it’s not going to be that much of a long term thing. What I mean is, maybe in the last 16 round now, or even in the quarter finals there could be a surprise team, but in semi finals the last 4 will be great teams for sure, I have no doubt about that.

I remember a year where Tottenham and Ajax, both teams nobody expected to see there, ended up playing against each other in semi finals if I remember correctly, nothing like that will happen this year. last 4 will surely be teams that really worth something and all four fighting for the title and contenders.

[Distraction]

I remember a year where Tottenham and Ajax, both teams nobody expected to see there, ended up playing against each other in semi finals if I remember correctly, nothing like that will happen this year. last 4 will surely be teams that really worth something and all four fighting for the title and contenders.

You remember it correctly. Tottenham eliminated Ajax in that season thanks to the away goal rule. Ajax's effort really deserved appreciation. It was the same for Tottenham also of course as they reached the finale. But Liverpool defeated them by 2-0 and prevented Tottenham from winning their first ever Champions League title.

There are quite many different teams in last 16 round now indeed. We might see at least one of them in the semi finals also. But I think this time there won't be any surprising team in the finale. I just expect and hope to see two big title contenders clashing for being the champion. I strongly believe that one of them will be Manchester City. But it is much harder to predict their opponent. Actually I'm hoping to see Real Madrid there. This would be one of the best matches for a Champions League finale.

[tokeweed]

CL is already at the KO stages.  buwaytress change the title and let's get more people in here.  One CL thread nobody likes to talk to me and the other one has a ton of people saying the same things over and over.  Nobody likes to talk to me there too.  I just need a little betting advice from everybody but nobody likes to share their leans, picks and analysis.   

Anyway, Club Bruges vs Benfica and BVB vs Chelsea.  No idea how these other clubs are doing other than Chelsea.  But I know enough to know that Benfica is better than Bruges and BVB is a decent club in the Bundesliga.  At first glance I like Benfica to win with under 4.5 goals combo at 2.02 and BVB double chance to win or draw and BTTS combo at 2.29.  What do you guys think?

[Franctoshi]

CL is already at the KO stages.  buwaytress change the title and let's get more people in here.  One CL thread nobody likes to talk to me and the other one has a ton of people saying the same things over and over.  Nobody likes to talk to me there too.  I just need a little betting advice from everybody but nobody likes to share their leans, picks and analysis.    

Anyway, Club Bruges vs Benfica and BVB vs Chelsea.  No idea how these other clubs are doing other than Chelsea.  But I know enough to know that Benfica is better than Bruges and BVB is a decent club in the Bundesliga.  At first glance I like Benfica to win with under 4.5 goals combo at 2.02 and BVB double chance to win or draw and BTTS combo at 2.29.  What do you guys think?

Yes Club Bruges vs Benfica, Benfica is definitely the better side to win this game, so I tip the game to be  -2/over 1.5 goal wining.
While the BVB vs Chelsea's game , Chelsea has not gotten theirs selves for some couple matches they've played so far in the premier league and in various compition, even with their recent signings they are only able to get draws in their previous two games after their losing streaks, to be in a safer side I tip BTS or over 1.5 goal will make sense for the match.

[buwaytress]

CL is already at the KO stages.  buwaytress change the title and let's get more people in here.  One CL thread nobody likes to talk to me and the other one has a ton of people saying the same things over and over.  Nobody likes to talk to me there too.  I just need a little betting advice from everybody but nobody likes to share their leans, picks and analysis.   

Anyway, Club Bruges vs Benfica and BVB vs Chelsea.  No idea how these other clubs are doing other than Chelsea.  But I know enough to know that Benfica is better than Bruges and BVB is a decent club in the Bundesliga.  At first glance I like Benfica to win with under 4.5 goals combo at 2.02 and BVB double chance to win or draw and BTTS combo at 2.29.  What do you guys think?

Title changed. Real life so busy I was sure I posted something in here to revive the thread but seems I was mistaken. Funny how your memory works in old(er) age heh.

There were complaints before about this thread being moderated but there you go, create a non-moderated one and it's a spam festival. Try to report them, especially the blatantly obvious ones.

Benfica the obvious choice, Bruges had a really good group stage but I doubt that is sustainable. BVB seems to be the natural choice too (it's my pick) but Chelski could perform in Europe, they certainly have the personnel.

In BSFL, I can see a number of people are tipping Benfica to win by the biggest scoreline.

At 2/1 your picks look good, problem is I don't trust Chelsea to score, but Benfica win and under 4.5 seems pretty safe!

[slaman29]

My sincere condolences to Liverpool.

Their guys got ahead so fast, and then conceded so fast.

I couldn't watch the game so maybe my comments are only based on reports but I read that when it was 3-2 Klopp decided to go all out attack instead and then lost 5-2. I guess Real just isn't the team of Liverpool.

[tokeweed]

^  Yup...  Not a Liverpool supporter but it hurts seeing Klopp losing like this and losing overall for a lot of the season.  I don't know what's going on in their dressing room but I feel like the back line could still do better than what they're giving rn.  I mean with the players they have, they should be winning matches or at least make it close and fight for the win.

But what can you do?  Real Madrid...  What a squad.  They're lined at 6 to win the UCL.  There's def some value there imho.

[joker_josue]

A few minutes before the start of the Inter vs Porto game, and with the starting line-ups already presented, do you think Porto will be able to beat Inter?

I have the feeling that the teams are on the same level of form. And the numbers of home competitions indicate just that. I would indicate that it will be a goal draw, with goals from Taremi and Martinez.

[CLS63]

There is a 50% chance for seeing a semi final matchup between two Italian teams right now. One of them is certainly an Italian team but I think the other one will also be like that. Because I think Inter have the capability of eliminating Benfica in this stage. They just need to play both legs very carefully. They already had big problems on eliminating Porto in the previous stage. It was a close one.

Benfica are another challenging Portuguese team for Inter. They are in the lead in the Liga Portugal right now and running to the league championship. While they are having a great season they would like to do their best in the Champions League as well. They didn't lose to PSG in the group stage too as you remember. I expect another close matchup but I see Inter one step ahead for now.

[sovie]

There is a 50% chance for seeing a semi final matchup between two Italian teams right now. One of them is certainly an Italian team but I think the other one will also be like that. Because I think Inter have the capability of eliminating Benfica in this stage. They just need to play both legs very carefully. They already had big problems on eliminating Porto in the previous stage. It was a close one.

Benfica are another challenging Portuguese team for Inter. They are in the lead in the Liga Portugal right now and running to the league championship. While they are having a great season they would like to do their best in the Champions League as well. They didn't lose to PSG in the group stage too as you remember. I expect another close matchup but I see Inter one step ahead for now.

I don't see any chance of securing Benfica's victory in the Champions League quarter-finals, as Inter Milan are far ahead of this team in terms of performance. But even then, if Benfica manage to secure victory, it will be truly incredible.

[CLS63]

Real Madrid and Chelsea are also going to have a draw against each other. I remember the latest one between them which was pretty competitive as well. Real Madrid had a really big difficulty in eliminating them as they made it after extra time in the second leg. Tuchel was doing a really fine job with Chelsea back then. But now we don't have the same Chelsea I'm afraid.

Potter's Chelsea are still having the same kind of issues they had at the beginning of the season. Their defending is not very well and they still have finishing issues in many matches. They are actually productive as for creating dangerous attacks. But they need to improve their scoring skills more until facing Real Madrid. Otherwise their job can be really difficult just as it was the same for Liverpool too.

[slaman29]

Real Madrid and Chelsea are also going to have a draw against each other.

Does anybody have any good tips for making early bets?

I know I'm probably going to waste money chasing losses if the first leg doesn't turn out but I do want to make sure I get good bets in.

Chelsea has Lampard now already as caretaker and I believe they will get great results from this. He won't last long and the effect won't last long but old players can give fresh motivation for the remainder of the same season.