Today's football tips for 8 Apr 2026: Analysis of 3 promising matches, Liverpool's UCL challenge, today's match schedule. The focus is on three key games worth following.
On 8 April 2026, today's football tips cover two major European cup competitions: the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Both have reached the quarterfinal first leg stage. Here is an analysis and outlook for three noteworthy matches.
- UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg / Kickoff 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, PSG has some comfort in Ligue 1 after Lens lost 0-3 to Lille, leaving PSG 4 points clear at the top with one game in hand. PSG has won all their last four matches in all competitions and remains unbeaten against English teams in their last seven encounters (winning five). The squad misses only Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz, with key players like Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fit and available.
Liverpool just suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat to Manchester City, exiting the FA Cup quarterfinals and leaving this as their only trophy chance. Their league position is precarious, having lost 1-2 to Brighton previously and now fighting hard to qualify for the UCL. This season they have lost 15 matches, the most since the 2014-15 season under Brendan Rodgers. In their last five games, they have won only once (losing three). For this match, goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains injured all month, and Alexander Isak is not yet fully fit to support Mohamed Salah in attack.
Outlook PSG likely to win the first leg.
- UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg / Kickoff at 02:00 GMT+7.
These teams have met twice before at this stage, with Barcelona eliminated both times in 2013-14 and 2015-16, winning only one of four matches. However, in their last six encounters, Barcelona has lost only once and won five, including a 2-1 victory in La Liga last Saturday. Barcelona is unbeaten for nearly two months (9 matches, 8 wins). Injured players include Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc Bernal, but their attack remains strong with Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford, and Fermín López.
Atletico Madrid seems to be struggling, losing three consecutive matches in all competitions. However, in La Liga they lead fifth-place Real Betis by 12 points, allowing them to ease off. They aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2016-17 season. This season they have lost four UCL matches (three in group stage, one in round of 16). Despite having a favorable UCL record against Barcelona, Atletico currently has six injured players, including first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Although Julian Alvarez is fully rested, Barcelona's home strength makes them likely to secure a win first.
Outlook Barcelona to edge Atletico Madrid again.
- Europa League quarterfinal first leg / Kickoff at 02:00 GMT+7.
In the previous round, Braga made a remarkable comeback after losing 0-2 in the first leg against Ferencváros, winning 4-0 in the second leg to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth time in club history, first since 2021-22. Their home form is strong, with 8 wins and 2 draws before recently losing 1-2 to Porto. Braga has kept the most clean sheets in this Europa League season (7 out of 10 matches). However, they will miss key defender Adrian Barisic and must assess the fitness of striker Rodrigo Salazar.
Real Betis also overturned a first-leg 0-1 loss to Panathinaikos by winning 4-0 in the second leg to advance. Yet their recent form is poor, with only one win in their last eight matches (4 draws, 3 losses). Their last three away games have all been losses, including two scoreless matches. Injuries affect Giovani Lo Celso, Junior Firpo, and Angel Ortiz, with uncertainty over veteran playmaker Isco's fitness. Despite having former Manchester United winger Anthony, who has scored 12 goals this season, Braga's home resilience gives them the advantage.
Outlook Braga to narrowly defeat Real Betis.