After four entertaining European first legs, the second legs of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League semi-finals take place across the course of next week.
Juventus and Real Madrid hold handsome leads in the Champions League. Juve sealed a comfortable win over Monaco at the Stade Louis II, whilst Real thumped rivals Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
In the Europa League, Ajax were superb in their big win over Lyon, whilst Manchester United earned a narrow, hard-fought victory at Celta Vigo. It seems like we might already know the four finalists but will see a comeback from any of the four underdogs this week?
- Juventus v Monaco – Juventus to Win to Nil (19/10 at BetVictor)
- Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid – Both Teams to Score (4/7 at Betfred)
- Lyon v Ajax – Lyon to Win (4/5 at Betfred)
- Manchester United v Celta Vigo – Manchester United to Win 2-0 (7/1 at Sky Bet)
Champions League
Both Juventus and Real Madrid look to be on their way to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, as the pair sealed impressive first leg victories. Massimiliano Allegri’s boys were excellent in Monaco, beating the French Ligue 1 leaders 2-0. 24 hours earlier, a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick inspired Zinedine Zidane’s boys to an easy 3-0 win against Diego Simeone’s Atletico. Monaco and Atleti need miracles but, as the saying goes and Leicester proved, it’s a funny old game.
Juventus v Monaco – 9th May
At the Stade Louis II, Juventus were as professional as ever in a deserved 2-0 win over Monaco on Wednesday night. The Italian Serie A leaders were solid at the back, with the outstanding Gonzalo Higuain netting a brace at the other end. Can Leonardo Jardim’s men make things interesting in Turin, or have they left themselves with too much to do?
Barring an unlikely shock, the Old Lady are on their way to their second Champions League final in three years. Allegri’s troops have yet to be beaten on their own patch in any competition this season, and we can’t see that changing anytime soon. Monaco look to have blown their chances, as realistically they needed a positive result at home before heading to the Juventus Stadium.
We can see the White and Blacks booking their place in the final in style on Tuesday. Bianconeri’s last seven victories have come without shipping. Therefore, we like the look BetVictor’s 19/10 for the hosts to win to nil. They don’t need to force things and will be able to keep their shape and pick off their opponents on the break. 19/10 looks like top value to us.
Juventus to Win to Nil – 19/10 at BetVictor
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid – 10th May
Atletico Madrid welcome rivals Real Madrid for the last ever Champions League match at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick, Atleti need nothing short of a miracle to turn this tie around. Nevertheless, Diego Simeone will demand his players fight until the final whistle.
Ronaldo has netted two triples against Atletico this season, having already bagged a hat-trick at the Vicente Calderon in a La Liga fixture back in November. Despite sitting 10 points behind their rivals in Spain’s top table, Los Rojiblancos did manage to seal a 1-1 draw in the Bernabeu in a league fixture last month.
Los Merengues did all their work in the first leg, as a three-goal lead should be more than enough for Zidane’s men. However, it’s not in Real’s nature to just defend, and we can see them scoring in the Calderon on Wednesday. Check out Betfred’s 4/7 for both teams to score in the Spanish capital.
Both Teams to Score – 4/7 at Betfred
Europa League
Peter Bosz’s Ajax put one foot in the Stockholm final by thumping Ligue 1 outfit Lyon at the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday. As for Manchester United, Marcus Rashford’s goal 25 minutes from time gave United a priceless win and away goal in their first leg. On Thursday, Lyon welcome Ajax to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, whilst Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils host Celta Vigo at Old Trafford.
Lyon v Ajax – 11th May
Lyon have a huge mountain to climb when they host Ajax in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. Bruno Genesio’s boys were second best against the Dutch outfit, leaving their European dreams hanging by a thread at best. As for Ajax, they will be heading to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais searching for another win and at worst a professional performance that sees them through to another European final.
Two Bertrand Traore strikes and goals by Kasper Dolberg and Amin Younes were enough to give Ajax a comfortable margin of victory in the Dutch capital on Wednesday. However, Mathieu Valbuena’s away goal has given Lyon a glimmer of hope.
We anticipate the French side to win on home soil, but it’s difficult to see them clawing back three goals. With that said, the standout bet in this tie is Lyon to prevail in the 90, which you can get at solid enough odds of 4/5 with Betfred.
Lyon to Win – 4/5 at Betfred
Manchester United v Celta Vigo – 11th May
Also on Thursday, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United will be looking to seal their place in the Europa League final, as they welcome Eduardo Berizzo’s Celta Vigo to Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead.
Marcus Rashford’s late goal at Balaidos has given United a strong hold on this tie. It was not a classic in Spain, but an away goal and a clean sheet was just what Mourinho and co. would have hoped for. With the Red Devils locked in a real battle for a top four spot in the Premier League, winning this competition could be their route into next year’s Champions League.
We’re predicting Man Utd to ease past Celta at the Theatre of Dreams on Thursday. Sky Bet are offering odds of 7/1 for the home team to win 2-0 on the night, a price we feel is worth taking advantage of. United rested players against Arsenal on Sunday and we fancy they willpower to a comfortable success on home soil.
Manchester United to Win 2-0 – 7/1 at Sky Bet