The Champions League semi-finals continue this week and by late Thursday morning, we will have just two teams left in the race for the trophy. As usual, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the return leg of both fixtures below.
Champions League Semi Finals Betting Tips
Manchester City vs Paris Saint Germain
Wednesday 5th May 5am (AEST)
Manchester City was too good for PSG in the first leg of their semi-final fixture. The English side travelled to France and recorded a 2-1 win on the road, which gives them a massive advantage as they head back to Manchester on Wednesday morning. PSG scored the first goal in the 15th minute to take a 1-0 lead in the game but goals to Keven De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez in the 2nd half followed by a red card to PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye sealed the deal.
Manchester City are now just $1.10 to qualify for the next round after the away win, meaning any win, any draw or even a 1-0 loss would see them advance. The massive advantage for Man City here is their bill of health. No players are currently unavailable for the game, while star PSG striker Kylian Mbappe is the big issue for the French side as he battles a calf injury.
Manchester City have been unstoppable at home this season in both the domestic competition and the Champions League. They have won 12 of their last 14 games at home and have led at HT in 10 of them. If they have a lead at HT in this game, it’s almost curtains as the French side will need to score in bunches to pull the aggregate score back. They have a 3-1-1 record against French opposition at home in their history and won 1-0 in their only Champions League meeting in Manchester.
Manchester City won’t be taking any risks here and will probably start the game in a pretty strong defensive mindset. Can see this one finishing in a low scoring draw to see the home side advance to the final.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Thursday 6th May 5am (AEST)
Chelsea travelled to Spain for their opening leg against Real Madrid and were able to secure a 1-1 draw on the road. That should hold them in good stead to reach the final as they return home needing any win or a 0-0 draw to advance straight through to the final. Chelsea have conceded just 31 goals in the EPL this season, the fewest of any team outside of Manchester City, that defensive prowess should help them on Thursday morning as a clean sheet here would see them automatically advance.
Real Madrid will be without some key players for this game in the likes of Carvajal, Lucas, Mendy, Ramos and Valverde while only Kovacic is currently ruled out for Chelsea. The two teams have played each other just four times in history, and interestingly, this will be the first time they have faced off in London.
Chelsea has been strong at home in the 2020-21 EPL seaso to date, maintaining an 8-6-3 record at Stamford Bridge so far. Real Madrid have also been solid on the road, losing just one game away from home in the La Liga this season.
Finding is pretty difficult to split these two sides, although the bookies have opened with Chelsea as pretty firm favourites. Given they secured a 1-1 draw on the road just last week and have a cleaner bill of health here, I’m leaning slightly towards the home side. Back them to win in a closely fought battle.
