Today's football picks for April 8, 2026: analysis of three promising matches to watch, featuring Liverpool in the UCL, and today's football schedule.
On April 8, 2026, today's football picks cover two major European club competitions: the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League. Both have reached the quarterfinal first leg stage. Here is the analysis and insights into three noteworthy matches.
- UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg / Kick-off at 02:00 GMT+7.
These two teams met last season in the round of 16, each winning 1-0 away before PSG triumphed on penalties to claim the European title. Recently in Ligue 1, PSG can be trusted somewhat after Lens lost 0-3 to Lille, leaving PSG four points clear at the top with one game in hand. PSG has won their last four matches in all competitions and is unbeaten in their last six against English teams (five wins). They are missing only Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz but retain key players like Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doué, Vitinha, and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Liverpool recently suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Manchester City, exiting the FA Cup quarterfinals and now only contesting this tournament for silverware. Their league position is still uncertain, having lost 1-2 to Brighton and struggling to secure a UCL spot. This season they have lost 15 matches, the most since the 2014-15 Brendan Rodgers era. Their last five games include just one win and three losses. They will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has been injured all month, and Alexander Isak is not yet fit to support Mohamed Salah in attack.
Analysis PSG to take the first-leg advantage.
- UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg / Kick-off at 02:00 GMT+7.
These two have met twice previously at this stage, with Barcelona eliminated both times (2013-14, 2015-16), winning only one of four meetings. However, in their last six encounters, "Barca" has lost just once and won five, including a 2-1 victory in La Liga last Saturday. They have been unbeaten for nearly two months (nine matches: eight wins). Injuries sideline Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc Bernal, but their attack remains strong with Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford, and Fermin Lopez.
Atletico Madrid appears to be struggling, having lost three consecutive matches in all competitions. Yet, in La Liga, they lead fifth-placed Real Betis by 12 points and can afford to ease off. They are aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016-17. This season, Atletico has lost four UCL matches (three in the group stage, one in round of 16). Despite a historical advantage over Barcelona in this competition, they currently have six injured players, including first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Julian Alvarez is well-rested, but Barcelona's home strength suggests they will secure a win first.
Analysis Barcelona to edge out Atletico Madrid again.
- Europa League quarterfinal first leg / Kick-off at 02:00 GMT+7.
In the previous round, Braga overturned a 0-2 first-leg deficit to Ferencvaros by winning 4-0 in the second leg, reaching the quarterfinals for the fourth time in club history and first since 2021-22. Their home form has been strong, with eight wins and two draws, only recently losing 1-2 at home to Porto. Braga holds the record for most clean sheets this Europa League season (7 out of 10 matches). However, they will miss key defender Adrian Barisic and must check the fitness of striker Rodrigo Salazar.
Real Betis also overcame a first-leg loss (0-1 to Panathinaikos) by winning 4-0 in the second leg to advance. However, their recent form is poor, with only one win in their last eight matches (four draws, three losses). Their last three away games all ended in defeat, with no goals scored in two of those. They are missing Giovani Lo Celso, Junior Firpo, and Angel Ortiz to injury and await the fitness of veteran playmaker Isco. Despite having former Manchester United winger Antony who has scored 12 goals this season, Braga's home resilience likely gives them the edge.
Analysis Braga to narrowly defeat Betis.