A thrilling round of games in the Champions League last week has left us with a mouth watering slate of second leg matchups this Wednesday and Thursday morning. We take a look at the key matchups of the week in the UEFA Champions League and give our betting tips below.
Manchester City vs Liverpool (Wednesday 4.45am AEST)
A 3-0 home win to Liverpool in the first leg has set up what should be a thrilling contest between Manchester City and the Reds on Wednesday morning. Liverpool blew the game open in the first half an hour of their leg one matchup, scoring in the 12th, 20th and 31st minute of play and holding onto the 3-0 lead.
It’ll make it extremely tough for Manchester City this weekend, regardless of the fact that they are at home. They will need to win 3-0 to send it to extra time, or by four goals to advance straight through. The hardest part of their task will come if Liverpool manage to score. Manchester City will need to score a minimum of five goals if the Reds score just once, something they have done on just four times this calendar year.
Manchester City did down Liverpool 5-0 in their meeting at the Etihad back in September, but the two matchups between the two sides since then have both resulted in Liverpool wins, albeit both at Anfield. Really tough to find value in this game. If Liverpool get an early goal we could see one of the all out attacking displays of all time from the Citizens. We like Man City to net at least 3 here to make it interesting.
TIP: Manchester City OVER 2.5 goals - $2 at Sportsbet
Real Madrid vs Juventus (Thursday 4.45am AEST)
Interesting matchup here as Real Madrid were able to come away from Italy in leg one with a 3-0 win. They’ll return home this week and are hot favourites to advance to yet another semi final berth. Real Madrid had a tough matchup in the domestic competition on the weekend, drawing 1-1 with cross town rivals Atletico Madrid in a game which saw Ronaldo subbed off in the 64th minute.
It was a really uncharacteristic loss for Juventus in leg one of the quarter finals. They have lost just one game at home throughout the Italian domestic competition and were undefeated in the Champions League at home until they met Real Madrid.
Juve’s defence has been fantastic in the Serie A all season, allowing just 18 goals throughout 31 games. Real Madrid won’t be in a aggressive mood here, as even a draw would send them through to the next round. We think this will be a low scoring draw or Real win.
TIP: Total goals UNDER 2.5 - $2.44 at Sportsbet
Bayern Munich vs Sevilla (Thursday 4.45am AEST)
Bayern were able to capture a great away win last weekend as they travelled to Spain and downed Sevilla 2-1. They’ll just need to win or draw at home to advance to the final four here, which they are strong favourites to do. Bayern Munich have won their last seven games in a row in the Champions League, and haven’t lost at home in this season’s domestic competition or the Champions League.
Sevilla were fantastic in their away leg against Manchester United in the Round of 16, claiming a 2-1 win to advance to the quarter finals. However, Bayern Munich have been one of the strongest home teams in all of football over the past decade.
Hard to see Bayern letting this one slip. They only need a draw to advance and in 14 home games in the German Bundesliga this season they have conceded just 9 goals. They are also a scoring powerhouse, netting 76 goals in their competition, which is the highest tally of any top-flight team barring Manchester City, PSG and Barcelona. If Bayern get an early one, Sevilla will go ultra-aggressive, we can see this one being a high scoring game.
TIP: Total goals OVER 3.5 - $1.87 at Sportsbet
