UCL 2025/26: Quarter-finals second leg previews and predictions

Here, we present our previews and predictions for each second-leg encounter of the quarter-final stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool (0) vs Paris Saint-Germain (2)

Liverpool has all to do in the second leg at Anfield after the domination from PSG in the first leg in Paris. The Reds were lucky too as PSG weren’t as clinical and their goalkeeper made some incredible saves or this could have been a thrashing. Arne Slot went against the usual tactics and played a back five to strengthen the defending but it didn’t work as PSG dominated possession and attacking play and scored two goals. In reality, it should have been two or three more if not for poor finishing on the part of the PSG forwards and some great goalkeeping from Liverpool’s Georgian shot stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili. PSG would have been surely disappointed that they couldn’t finish the tie in Paris. 

Coming to the second leg, playing at Anfield under the lights could be a game-changer. If Liverpool want to make a comeback, they would need to set the tempo early and find at least one goal in the first half. The Merseysiders would have found some confidence after the comprehensive 2-0 win against Fulham at the weekend. However, PSG would have the advantage in terms of having a fully rested squad as they didn’t play in the league this weekend. 

In terms of injuries, Liverpool will miss Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Geovanni Leoni and Stefan Bajcetic due to long-term issues while Curtis Jones could be doubtful due to a groin injury. The Parisiens will be without Fabián Ruiz, Bradley Barcola and Quentin Ndjantou for this fixture. 

Considering their form, quality and squad depth, PSG are still the favourites to proceed. Liverpool’s recent form doesn’t fill us with confidence about their ability to make a comeback. Though we do believe they could score at home but since they have to overcome a two-goal deficit, the game will be more open and could give their opponents opportunities to score as well. We feel this game would end in a draw and the defending champions will go through to the semis. 

Score Prediction: Liverpool 1–1 PSG (PSG win 3–1 on aggregate) 

Bayern Munich (2) vs Real Madrid (1)

Real Madrid lost to Bayern Munich at the Bernabéu last week in an entertaining end-to-end encounter. Los Blancos came up against an inspired Manuel Neuer who stood like an absolute wall between his opponents and the goal. Despite several attempts, Madrid couldn’t breach the Bayern defence and also ended up conceding a winner leading to a 1-2 home defeat. 

They now travel to the Allianz Arena in the hope of turning around the one-goal deficit and progressing to the Champions League semis. However, going to the Allianz and beating Bayern Munich would be a tall order as the Bavarians have been imperious on home turf. Their dangerous front line of Luis Diaz, Harry Kane and Michael Olise have been unstoppable against most oppositions. They have lost only one home game all season and that too came in the Bundesliga. They have also scored an incredible 16 goals in five UCL games at home this season. To add insult to injury for Real Madrid, they also drew their league game to Girona, giving rivals Barcelona a nine-point lead in the title-race. As for Bayern, they thrashed St Pauli 5-0 away from home and are almost certain of retaining the Bundesliga crown again as they lead the table by a 12-point gap to second placed Borussia Dortmund. 

Injury-wise, Bayern will have a fair few out with Sven Ulreich, Cassiano Kiala, David Santos, Lennart Karl and Wisdom Mike unavailable while Real Madrid will miss Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo for this all-important fixture. 

Even though Bayern are literally unbeatable at home, we are talking about the 15-times Champions here. With Real Madrid you can never be sure as they play with a different mentality in the UCL.  Having said that, their defence could still be under question as they did look vulnerable against the Germans as good as their forwards and midfield may have been. Beating an in-form Bayern away from home could be a mountain too high to climb for Real Madrid and we believe Bayern will win this game and progress to the semis to play against either PSG or Liverpool. 

Score Prediction: Bayern 3–1 Real Madrid (Bayern win 4–2 on aggregate)