The UEFA Champions League continues this Wednesday and Thursday morning, with the first leg of the semi-finals getting underway.
On Wednesday morning, Manchester City host Spanish giants Real Madrid, while on Thursday morning Liverpool welcome Villareal to Anfield.
We take a look at our best bets for each semi-final match below.
Remember, the EPL, Champions League and A-League are in full swing to be sure to head to our Soccer Tips page for regular updates and betting tips.
Champions League Semi Finals Betting Tips (Leg 1)
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Manchester City currently sit top of the Premier League and they have looked as dominant as ever in 2022. In their last match the Cityzens thrashed Watford 5-1 and they will be full of confidence entering this clash.
Real Madrid is also at the summit of their respective league table and most recently eased past Osasuna 3-1.
Madrid has won five of the eight clashes against Manchester City despite in recent times having struggled against Premier League opposition. Of the last six matches against Premier League sides, Real have only registered a single victory.
Under Pep Guardiola Manchester City have become a force of world football with the Champions League the only one that has got away.
I personally believe this years Champions League will once again be won by an English side and I back City to progress in this tie.
From a betting standpoint there are a few plays I like in this match. The first one is for Manchester City to win. I believe the stats don’t tell the whole story this season for Madrid and while they may be top of La Liga and in the semis of the Champions League, they haven’t impressed me.
Despite saying that, I like the odds of Madrid finding the back of the net in this match. City’s achilles heel for years has been their defence and I believe Real’s pace on the wings mixed with arguably the most inform striker in world football Karim Benzema, I am backing the giants of Spain to score. As I see City winning the match and undoubtably scoring themselves, I will back both teams to score.
My final bet is one I usually don’t like which is the ‘early goal’ market. I believe there will be a high intensity from the start as I believe Real Madrid will come out aggressive. So whether it be Madrid hitting the front early or City finding the net in the opening 20 minutes, the early goal is the play.
Prop Bets:
Both Teams to Score ($1.90 at Bet365)
Goal Before 27 Minutes ($1.83 at Bet365)
Manchester City to win
$1.50
Liverpool vs Villareal
Liverpool has been in exceptional form this season and the unlikely quadruple is still well and truly on. If Liverpool are to progress through to the Champions League final, they will have played every possible match this season and that is an incredible achievement and stat.
Liverpool in their last game dispatched of local rivals Everton 2-0 in what was a tough win, while Villarreal came from behind to draw one all against Atletic Club.
Villarreal has been the surprise packages of this year’s competition, knocking out Juventus and then Bayern Munich to reach the final four.
What will make this match even tougher than it already is for the Yellow Submarine, however, is they will take on the Reds without their talisman Gerard Moreno who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
I won’t be diving too heavily into this game betting wise but I do really like the under 3.5 and under 2.5 goals market.
Villarreal has gone 13 European knockout games without letting in more than one goal and I believe they will focus heavily on keeping their backline tight and head back to Spain with their finals chances alive. Back the under.
