Manchester City are 9/4 favourites in bwin’s Champions League winner predictions after being paired with 25/1 longshots Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final draw.
The winner of that tie will face a semi-final clash with holders Bayern Munich or PSG, who are 7/2 and 7/1 respectively to lift the trophy.
In the other half of the draw, Chelsea have been cut to 5/1 after coming out alongside 33/1 outsiders Porto.
Liverpool can be backed at 6/1 to claim outright glory for the seventh time ahead of taking on 13-time winners Real Madrid, who are quoted at 10/1.
Europe’s elite club competition is the big prize missing from Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden reign at City.
On facing Dortmund, the Spaniard said: “I didn’t see much of them this season because we don’t have time, but Dortmund are always a good team.”
City will have to contend with facing young sensation Erling Haaland, who has scored 10 goals in the competition this term, four more than any other player.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Guardiola of the 20-year-old. “He is one of the best strikers in the world right now for his age. I know the quality of this player.”
Bookmakers believe Chelsea fared best of the English teams in the draw, but Petr Cech is taking nothing for granted.
Cech, who helped the Blues beat Bayern Munich on penalties in the 2012 final, told UEFA: “They are an opponent which we obviously need to respect.
“They have history in the Champions League and European Cups, but they’re a team that we’ll be prepared for and ready to play against.”
Old foes renew rivalry
Liverpool and Real Madrid have met in two previous finals, with the Reds prevailing 1-0 in Paris back in 1981 and the Whites winning 3-1 in Cardiff in 2018.
Anfield legend Ian Rush was on the bench 40 years ago and said: “It just brings back so many memories and they’re two great teams with tremendous reputations.
“No matter what sort of players you have, just the name Real Madrid comes to mind, just like Liverpool, so I think it’s going to be really, really entertaining.”
Real forward Emilio Butragueno commented: “Liverpool are a great team, an extraordinary team with so many virtues.
“They play with great intensity, they have a great coach, they have very dangerous players up front, so they’re going to be a very tough opponent.
“But we’re Real Madrid and this is our competition – and we have players with great experience in these kinds of matches. There’s no doubt we’re very excited.”
Current Whites front man Rodrygo added: “The further you go in this competition, the tougher it gets. At this stage, all sides are really strong and Liverpool are one of the strongest.
“They’ll be two great games, with little in them. Real Madrid versus Liverpool is always a big game with two of the biggest names in world football.
“I remember the 2018 final well, I was supporting Real Madrid! It was a special and memorable game.”
The quarter-finals will be played over the weeks of April 6/7 and 13/14, while the last four will take place on April 27/28 and May 4/5.
All roads then lead to Istanbul for the decider on May 29.
Join bwin today and receive up to £20 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager (3+ selections at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater) is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
