Champions League Preview

The draw for the semi-final stages of the Champions League and Europa League took place on Friday morning. Here is our guide to the best of the bets from the tournaments.

It could still be an all Spanish or an all German final in the Champions League as the sides were kept in the draw. Barcelona are the 28/13 (BWin) favourites to lift the trophy which shocks me a little considering they have a very tough game against Bayern Munich ahead of them. The Spanish side did not impress in the quarter-final against PSG while the Germans eased through against a Juventus side that I would argue is better than PSG. Barcelona are the 4/6 (boylesports) favourites to qualify while Bayern look great value at 6/4 (Coral). Munich are the side who has impressed me most in this qualifying campaign while Barcelona need an injured Lionel Messi to get them out of jail. The Catalan side do not seem to have the same zip and fizz about them as in previous seasons and the 6/4 is a great price on Bayern.

The other semi-final features Borussia Dortmund up against Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho can afford himself a little smile this evening with his glass of wine as of the four Dortmund are clearly the weakest team. It is 52/100 (You Win) that Madrid qualify while Dortmund are 2/1 (bet365/Skybet). I like Madrid to qualify here and as such really like the 11/5 (bet365) on them to lift the Champions League. As exciting as Dortmund have been this season both them and Klopp do not have the experience of Mourinho who has been there and done it at this level. I think his side can mastermind a comfortable route to the final where odds of 11/5 will look huge value. In addition to Madrid at 11/5 it makes sense to enhance this further by taking the double at 5/2 (BetVictor) on Real to win the Champions League and Cristiano Ronaldo to finish as top scorer. Ronaldo on 11 goals is already three ahead of his nearest rivals and does not look like he can be caught.

In the Europa League it is Chelsea who are the 13/10 (ladbrokes/BWin) favourites to win the tournament. The London side will be happy with their draw as they have been giving Swiss side Basel in the last four. It is as short as 2/5 (Coral/william hill) that the English side qualify for the final while Basel are 5/2 (bet365/Stan James). After knocking out Tottenham in the last round I think the bookmakers have been a little harsh in their assesment of the Swiss side so I would not recommend anyone getting on Chelsea at those short odds. We will talk more about the game nearer the time but I could be tempted by Basel to get something out of the first leg which is on their own ground. Benfica and Fenerbahce meet in the other semi-final which should be an interesting two- legged affair. The side from Portugal are 2/1 (You Win) to lift the Europa League trophy and Fenerbahce are 6/1 (general) to do the same. While in terms of the to qualify market it is 1/2 (bet365/Coral/Bwin) that Benfica qualify for the final while the Turkish side are 2/1 (betfred) to make the final.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Real Madrid to win the Champions League, 11/5 (Bet365)
SILVER: Real Madrid to win CL and Cristiano Ronaldo to be top scorer, 5/2 (BetVictor)
BRONZE: Bayern Munich to qualify v Barcelona, 6/4 (Coral)

Go To bet365

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14/04/2013     © Frixo 2024