It’s all about Europe in midweek and whilst such a prospect might make Nigel Farage shudder, it excites the hell out of the rest of us as we anticipate the second legs of the semi finals of both the Champions League and its weaker, less popular (but still fairly interesting) little brother, the Europa League.
So grab a bratwurst, a chunk of chorizo or some Parma ham, sit back and feast on the latest betting tips that we hope will help you win a big pile of good old British pounds.
Tuesday 29th April 2014
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (19:45) – Correct score: 2-2 (15/1 with BetVictor)
Whilst many expected Real to go all out attack in the first leg in Madrid, it didn’t quite play out that way as Carlo Ancelotti’s men were content to sit back and soak up the pressure in a match that saw the Germans have three quarters of the possession. But the only stat that really counts is the final score, and – thanks to a Karim Benzema strike – the match ended 1-0 to Real, putting them in a great position to knock the European champions out of the competition.
While Bayern will clearly fancy their chances of getting the victory on home soil, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale amongst their ranks we just can’t see the visitors failing to score. If they do it will leave the home side requiring three goals to progress to the final, and the more they push for goals, the easier it will be for Ronaldo and co to find gaps. As such we anticipate a high-scoring encounter as both sides go all out for victory in the match that is likely to swing one way then the other but with Real ultimately winning their place in the final. A high-scoring draw is our tip here at very tasty odds, though backing both teams to score is a safer alternative.
Wednesday 30th April 2014
Chelsea v Atletico Madrid (19:45) – Half time correct score: 0-0 (6/4 with Sky Bet)
Chelsea performed heroically from a defensive point of view in Madrid to earn a 0-0 draw against Atletico in the first leg, but the loss of both John Terry and Petr Cech to injury, and the ongoing absence of their best player Eden Hazard, will make finishing the job at Stamford Bridge a really tall order. The Spanish side have many players capable of nicking an away goal, and though Chelsea are excellent on home soil, their lack of a prolific goalscorer (especially in the absence of the free-scoring Hazard) could cost them dear here.
We think the home side will come close but we agree with the bookies that Diego Simeone’s men are favourites to progress to the final, and though the Blues are excellent at grinding out the results they need, we just can’t see them overcoming the side who put Barcelona out in the last round. Jose Mourinho will know his side will be very much up against it if they concede and backing the game to be goalless at the break looks like a decent prospect to us, though we suspect it will end 1-1 with Atletico edging through to the final.
Thursday 1st May 2014
Juventus v Benfica (20:05) – Benfica to qualify (6/5 with BetVictor)
Benfica hold a slight advantage from the first leg of their Europa League semi against Juventus after Lima’s late strike earned his side a 2-1 victory. The newly crowned Portuguese champions got off to a great start when Ezequiel Garay headed them into the lead after just two minutes, but – in an exciting game – Carlos Tevez scored to level for Antonio Conte’s side. But though Benfica hold the aggregate lead, it is Juve who are favourites to progress to the final having scored the crucial away goal.
We don’t think they’ll have it all their own way in Turin, however, as Benfica have the verve and belief to take the game to the home side and will be eager to get an away goal for themselves. In a tie that could swing either way we are going to go against the grain and back Benfica to qualify for the final after earning a draw (or better) in Italy.
Valencia v Sevilla (20:05) – Under 1.5 goals (17/5 with BetVictor)
This all-Spanish semi looks likely to end in Sevilla’s favour after their assured 2-0 first leg victory over Valencia. Sevilla have won their last five matches (prior to their weekend game against Athletic Bilbao), and though Valencia have had the better of their league encounters having taken four points from the two matches, we feel Unai Emery’s men will have more than enough to finish the job.
The home side clear have to go all out for the win, but with Sevilla effectively needing just a single away goal to all but book their place in the final we think they will be happy to sit back and play on the break. In a game that is likely to be fairly tight despite Valencia’s efforts to score, our main tip here is to back under 1.5 goals as Sevilla do just enough to progress.