Champions League Semi-Final Predictions – 30 April-1 May
Borussia Dortmund travel to the Bernabeu on Tuesday hoping to hang on to their 4-1 lead from the first leg. Elsewhere, Barcelona battle Champions League favourites Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp, with the German champions carrying a 4-0 lead going into the match.
Sportingly Better picks out the best Champions League predictions from both semi-finals this week.
Champions League Predictions
Real Madrid (1.57) v Borussia Dortmund (5.50); Draw (4.75)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s away goal at the Westfalenstadion last week could prove crucial, but the Spanish giants will be up against it on Tuesday after trailing 4-1 from the first leg.
Real Madrid can still qualify for the final with a 3-0 win; a scoreline los Merengues managed to achieve at home against Galatasaray in the last round, but their burgeoning opponents do provide a very real threat on the counter attack.
Fourteen of Real Madrid’s last 16 games in the UEFA Champions League have gone over the 2.5 goals mark and with the hosts needing to score at least three goals, the smart money may be on backing over 3.5 goals in the football betting markets.
Fabio Coentrao, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mezut Ozil and Raphael Varane were all rested during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid on the weekend, meaning Jose Mourinho should have a fresh compliment of players for Tuesday’s encounter.
Visitors Borussia Dortmund remain undefeated in the Champions League this season and die Borussen know that even a two goal defeat at the Bernabeu would not be enough to end their European dreams.
Coach Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes during Dortmund’s 2-1 win away at Dusseldorf on Saturday, with forwards Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski all given the weekend off.
Lukasz Piszczek should overcome a groin injury to start at right back, in what is otherwise a fully fit squad die Borussen.
Real Madrid have managed to keep just one clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League all season and with the hosts eager to overturn their hefty deficit, another semi-final full of goals seems likely on Tuesday.
Recommended Bets
Over 3.5 goals (Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund) @2.00
Real Madrid to win @1.57
Barcelona (1.85) v Bayern Munich (4.00); Draw (4.20)
Bayern Munich’s 4-0 demolition over Barcelona at the Allianz Arena last week left many pundits contemplating the shift towards a new European force, but the German champions will need to close out their semi-final on Wednesday, if they are to book their place at Wembley.
Outgoing coach Jupp Heynckes will need to decide whether to stick with Mario Gomez in attack; after scoring in the reverse fixture last week, with the more-favoured Mario Mandzukic now back available from suspension.
Midfielder Toni Kroos remains suspended, so the likes of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery will look to provide die Bayern’s width and pace in attack.
Bayern have won five of their last six games in the Champions League and only Arsenal have managed to stop Jupp Heynckes’ side from scoring in the competition this season.
Hosts Barcelona have won just one of their last six games in the Champions League and the Blaugrana’s falling performances in Europe are proving to be increasingly concerning for the Catalans.
Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano remain missing from the back, so Tito Vilanova may draft in Eric Abidal at centre half, who made his return from illness on the weekend against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona know they have to score at least four goals to have any hope of reaching the final; a scoreline they managed to achieve against AC Milan in the last 16, despite trailing 2-0 from the first leg.
Bayern Munich have conceded just two goals in their last four games away in the Champions League and the German champions should be more than capable of keeping their illustrious opponents at bay on Wednesday.
Recommended Bets
Bayern Munich +1.5 Asian Handicap @1.53
Author Credit: Jonathan Day
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafe56/
Related Posts
Bayer Leverkusen v Stuttgart Betting Tips →
Lyon v Monaco Betting Tips →
Dortmund v Hoffenheim Betting Tips →
