The Champions League returns this week with the semi-finals, as teams battle it out for the chance to make it to the final in France. Manchester City host Real Madrid this Tuesday whilst Liverpool play host to Villareal on Wednesday.
Get involved in the action this week, and enjoy our selection of Champions League betting options.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS: BETTING TIPS
MANCHESTER CITY VS REAL MADRID
Two of the best teams in the world line up against each other in the Champions League semi-final this Tuesday evening. Manchester City eliminated Atletico Madrid in the previous round, while Real Madrid knocked out Chelsea in dramatic fashion to reach yet another semi-final.
At the weekend, Manchester City cruised past Watford, winning 5-1, with Gabriel Jesus netting four times to put his side above Liverpool once again in the Premier League. Real Madrid also tasted victory, winning away from home against Osasuna with a scoreline of 3-1. With the La Liga side playing last Wednesday, Ancelotti’s team enter their Champions League fixture with almost a week of rest, unlike their opponents City who played last Saturday.
All the teams that reach this stage in the competition have excellent quality within their squad, and these two are no different. Each has an abundance of talented players who could make a difference at any given moment. Manchester City have been conceding some sloppy goals, which can be attributed to losing concentration when not in possession. Still, we can anticipate that at the Etihad, the English side will dominate possession of the ball, with Los Blancos looking to pounce on the counterattack with their speedy wingers in the form of Vinicious Jr and Marcos Asensio.
We are pricing both teams to score at 6/7 (1.85), with Real Madrid to score first in the game at 41/20 (3.05).
Karim Benzema ran riot at Stamford Bridge, and we are pricing him to net anytime during the match at 18/10 (2.80)
For those who are anticipating a cagey affair, we are pricing under 2.5 goals in the match at 12/10 (2.20)
Riyad Mahrez was the difference against Atletico Madrid, and we are pricing the Algerian to score anytime during the match at 5/4 (2.25)
LV BET is pricing a draw at Half-time and a Manchester City win in the second half at 16/5 (4.20)
Match Odds: Manchester City are priced at 1/2 (1.50) to win, whilst Real Madrid are valued at 11/2 (6.50), and a draw is at 15/4 (4.75).
Previous game line-up:
Manchester City – Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Rodri, G.Jesus, De Bruyne, Sterling and Grealish.
Real Madrid – Courtois, L. Vazquez, E.Militao, Alaba, Nacho, Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos, Asensio, Benzema and Rodrygo
Injuries and Suspensions:
Manchester City – Joao Cancelo (Yellow Card Suspension)
Real Madrid – Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Mariano Diaz, Eder Militao (Yellow Card Suspension)
LIVERPOOL VS VILLAREAL
After eliminating Bayern Munich, Villarreal find themselves pitted against one of the best teams in world football, Liverpool. Both teams won their regional derby at the weekend by an identical scoreline of 2-0 – Liverpool enjoyed their day against a struggling Everton side, whilst Villareal’s Danjuma scored twice to secure three points against Valencia.
As is customary at Anfield, the home crowd will be in full voice as a win could put the Reds within touching distance of yet another Champions League Final in France. Jurgen Klopp and his side will be aware of how stern the Spanish defence is and how good can they be in transition, especially when Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are high up the pitch attacking. An experienced European coach like Unai Emery will know that if his team can hold on to a draw or even sneak a win at Anfield, it would be a monumental triumph for his side, who welcome Liverpool to the Estadio de la Cerámica next week.
We are anticipating Unai Emery to employ similar tactics as used against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Stadium and pricing under 2.5 goals in the game at 7/5 (2.40).
Liverpool are priced at 1/4 (1.25) to score first in the game and at 51/50 (2.02) to win to nil.
MATCH ODDS : Favourites to win at Anfield once again are Liverpool at 2/7 (1.28), whilst Villareal are at 11/1 (12.00), and a draw at 5/1 (6.00).
Previous game line-up:
Liverpool – Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Fabinho, Alcantara, Salah, Mane and Jota
Villareal – Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Mandi, Estupinan, Pino, Capoue, Pareja, Trigueros, Lo Celso and Groeneveld
Injuries and Suspensions:
Liverpool – No injuries or suspensions
Villareal – Alberto Moreno (Cruciate Ligament Rupture)
LV BET
Keep up to date and informed about the latest Champions League news and betting markets this week with LV BET.
Tune in to the LV BET Sports blog to find out more information about live sports, as well as the exciting online world of esports, and stay informed about the biggest sports events from around the world.
*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing