The first legs of the Champions League semi-finals were both great to watch, but have they ruined the ties as a contest? We basically know which two sides will be heading to the final in June, yet there are two midweek matches to settle first. While those two games aren’t the most enticing, we have picked out a couple of betting tips in case you want some extra interest in the two clashes.
We’ve also picked out two Europa League semi-final betting tips, with four European clashes coming in three days. UEFA’s second tier tournament seems a little more open, which makes both semis worth keeping an eye on. Ahead of all of this week’s action, take a look at our four best bets for the European ties.
Tuesday 9th May 2017
Juventus v Monaco (19:45) – both teams to score no (Evens with Ladbrokes)
Juventus put down a marker with their display in Monaco, cruising to a 2-0 win. The situation feels slightly similar to their quarter-final win over Barcelona. While Juve were favourites to make the final from this tie, no one saw them winning so comfortably in the first leg. That now raises the question of what kind of game we will get in Turin? With Monaco involved, the bookies are expecting another exciting tie. However, haven’t the Italian champions proven their worth enough to show that they won’t be pushed around at home?
Juventus have such a brilliant defence, as evidenced by their results so far in Europe. They said they’d come out fighting at the Camp Nou, but their defensive edge seemed to kick into gear and they shut Barcelona down. We can see a similar kind of display on Tuesday night, because Juve have already done most of the heavy lifting. They just need to see through this second leg, so they’re not going to be sucked into going blow for blow with Monaco. The hosts will be organised here, which makes “BTTS no”, at evens with Ladbrokes, look like a brilliant bet to us.
Wednesday 10th May 2017
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (19:45) – Real Madrid to win draw no bet (19/20 with Coral)
The other Champions League semi is in a similar position, although Atletico Madrid do have home advantage as they try to overturn a 3-0 loss. Diego Simeone’s side looked uncharacteristically sloppy at the Bernabeu, which has us wondering if the Argentine is getting ready to move on. He’s certainly not going to be able to end their push for the European Cup this term, as Real are going on to their third final in four seasons. Not only do they have a commanding lead, but they’ve got the tools to finish this one on Wednesday night.
This Real Madrid outfit aren’t the most expansive or fluid, but they are a team who know how to soak up pressure. They’ve done that in trips to Napoli and Bayern Munich in the Champions League already this term. Real have won both away knockout ties so far, and that’s because they have to push forward on the counter whenever they get the opportunity.
That’s how Zidane, a man who knows about winning knockout games, has set them up, and he seems to rarely change approach. We think that tactic will work perfectly with Atletico pushing forward to try and get back in the tie, which makes the European champions look like excellent value on the draw no bet market at 19/20 with Coral.
Thursday 11th May 2017
Manchester United v Celta Vigo (20:05) – both teams to score no (11/10 with BetVictor)
Manchester United have a 1-0 lead from the first leg, but do they have the players to see through the second? Jose Mourinho has been bemoaning his injury crisis, and that has us thinking that he’s going to look to close this tie out at Old Trafford, rather than push forward and try to kill off the game. United are lacking the forward players to end this contest, but they seem vulnerable at the back with so many injuries in central defence.
This is the type of problem Mourinho seems to fix, which is what makes him such a sought after coach. He’s a master of getting makeshift sides through crunch games, and that’s going to be his remit on Thursday night. After becoming the first side to stop Celta Vigo scoring in Europe this term, we expect a defensive display from the Red Devils. We’re backing against both teams to score on Thursday night, which is priced at 11/10 with BetVictor. Don’t rule out a bore draw 0-0.
Lyon v Ajax (20:05) – Lyon to win and BTTS (15/8 with Bet365)
Ajax have proven to be the real surprise package of the Europa League this term, and they claimed a 4-1 win over Lyon to move towards the final. That’s a huge achievement for such a young side, but they also need to worry about seeing out the second leg in France. Lyon are bound to hit back, especially after hitting seven past AZ Alkmaar in a previous round. They won’t find Dutch opposition as easy this time around, but we can see the Champions League dropouts pushing forward for the win.
Lyon should claim a second leg victory as they look to overturn a three goal deficit, but we can see the visitors getting a goal. Lyon have seen both teams score in all of their Europa League knockout ties this season, which makes goals seem extremely likely across these two legs. With the hosts heavily fancied to win, and Ajax in questionable away form in Europe, we think a home win and BTTS is the best value bet on this clash. Lyon are 15/8 with Bet365 to win and concede, which seems like a smart bet given that has occurred in all three home Europa League ties they’ve played in 2017.