After last week’s first leg ties in Manchester and Liverpool, we now move on to the second leg of the Champions League semi finals, with both games taking place in Spain.
It’s been a lengthy process to reach this stage, with the teams remaining in the competition starting their journey back on Matchday 1 of the Group Stage. Now, the four teams are just 90 minutes away from a final in Paris.
First off tonight, we have the game between Villarreal and Liverpool, with the English side leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield after yet another impressive performance by the Reds.
Then on Wednesday night the action turns to Madrid where Real Madrid host Manchester City after a pulsating first leg tie that saw Manchester City emerge as the 4-3 winners in one of the best Champions League games of all-time.
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Let’s now take a look at the two big semifinal games coming up tonight and tomorrow.
Champions League Semi Final 2nd Legs
Tuesday 3rd May – 8pm
Villarreal (0) v (2) Liverpool
The first leg of this game saw Liverpool run out 2-0 winners in a game that the home team dominated from start to finish. Villarreal mustered just one shot in the whole game and that didn’t find the target as their attempts to come and nullify Liverpool came to naught.
The Spaniards did well in the first half of the game, as the teams went in 0-0 at the interval but two quickfire goals in the second half, an own goal from Estupinan and a Sadio Mane finish from a Mo Salah pass put the Reds in total control and in truth, they could have added more to that total as the game wore on.
With that defeat, Villarreal’s chances of making it into the final now look slim. Liverpool have lost just three games this season in all competitions, twice in the Premier League and once in the Champions League, all by just a single goal.
In addition, if you look at Villarreal’s home form compared to their away form over the course of the season in the Champions League, they have actually performed much better on the road than they have at home.
Add to that the fact that in five away games in the Champions League this season Liverpool have won all five games, scoring 15 goals in the process and the size of the task facing the Spaniards becomes increasingly apparent.
Of course, stranger things have happened in the Champions League. Teams have won first leg ties by more than two goals before and still gone out as Liverpool know very well from their exploits against Barcelona back in 2019.
However, this Liverpool team looks just too strong to do that here and in truth, I expect them to win comfortably.
Starting XI – Predicted
Villarreal – 4-3-3 – Rulli, Foyth, Estupinan, Pau Torres, Albiol, Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin, Chukwueze, Lo Celso, Dia
Liverpool – 4-3-3 – Alisson, Alexander Arnold, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Fabinho, Thiago, Keita, Salah, Mane, Diaz.
Betting Tips
As you may expect, I do not rate Villarreal’s chances of success highly in this game and as such, I am suggesting that the team to back for the win on the night is Liverpool at 8/11 with bet365 Sport.
I do feel Villarreal may score a goal on the night, so the Reds to win and both teams to score at 12/5 is a solid option here, but I do feel the Reds will win the game comfortably to progress to the final and a 3-1 Liverpool win is a 12/1 shot with bet365 Sport.
Anytime goalscorer bets that appeal include Sadio Mane (8/5), Luis Diaz (21/10) and Boulate Dia (12/5)
Wednesday 4th May – 8pm
Real Madrid (3) v (4) Manchester City
Your bet365 Sport Free £5 bet is available for use on this game if you have qualified for the offer as a new and eligible customer. Follow the link for more details on the bonus and remember to log in and place your bet before kick off on Wednesday night.
What a treat these two teams served up in the first leg of this game last week. City scored four goals and despite having plenty more chances, could not add to that total. Real, in contrast, did not have too many chances but those they did create, they took very well, with Karim Benzema scoring twice to give them a fighting chance at 4-3 behind.
However, in the last round, Real had a 3-1 lead from the away leg against Chelsea but were 3-0 down at home at one point as the English side caused them huge problems. Unfortunately for Real, I can see Manchester City being able to do this, and more, against them in the game on Wednesday night.
As talented as Real are, they are very reliant on Benzema and his goals and if City can cut the supply to the striker, then I think Real’s main route back into this game will be shut off.
City have so many quality players that they can use in midfield that I think they will control the game from there and create chances against a Real back line that I think sorely lacks pace and which, if you can get behind them, are vulnerable.
The visitors have that goal advantage heading into the second leg and I would not be surprised if they extended that by the end of the game.
Starting XI – Predicted
Real Madrid – 4-3-3 – Courtois, Carvajal, Mendy, Nacho, Alaba, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo.
Manchester City – 4-3-3 – Ederson, Walker, Cancelo, Laporte, Dias, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva.B, Foden, De Bruyne, Jesus.
Betting Tips
As I stated above, I think this is a very tough game for Real Madrid. I’ve seen plenty of pundits talking up their chances, but I think at the moment Manchester City are a much, much better team.
With that in mind, I am backing City to win here which is 15/4 if you back that result with both teams to score or a 11/10 chance if you just back City to win.
Two key games, one free bet and one big week of Champions League action lies ahead of us, and I can’t wait!
Tags: bet365 Sport Champions League
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