Midweek Champions League betting preview
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Lyon v Bayern Munich, 7.45pm
Will the Champions League final have a German or French representative? According to the bookmakers, Bayern are the likeliest to progress, with totesport bookmakers offering a best-priced 4/11 that they face Barca or Inter next month. Although a 1-0 first leg lead might not seem like a big advantage, Munich know that an away goal will now leave their opponents needing three. The visitors are 7/4 (Ladbrokes bookmakers) to come away from Stade Gerland with victory, although a draw (11/5 Stan James bookmakers) might be a better option. Louis Van Gaal will be reasonably confident that his team can deny Lyon too many goalscoring chances after a one-sided first leg.
Then again, the French side have already eliminated Real Madrid and it’s clear that Claude Puel’s team are a different proposition on home soil. Sky Bet offer 6/4 that they win Tuesday’s match and you can get 11/4 (Ladbrokes bookmaker) that Olympique are celebrating come the final whistle. A 1-0 victory (7/1 Boylesports bookies) is something which would take the tie into extra-time, although the reason that Bayern are favourites to qualify is down to the fact that they have scored away goals in Turin, Florence and Manchester in this competition.
It’s hard to play against Arjen Robben in the Champions League and the Dutchman has been Bayern’s match-winner on numerous occasions this season. Ladbrokes bookmaker offer 6/1 that he breaks the deadlock and Corals bookmakers go 2/1 that the winger finds the net at any stage.
Barcelona v Inter Milan, 7.45pm
There might not be any English teams left in the Champions League, although there’s no denying that this match is an attractive proposition to any Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea supporter. From a betting point-of-view, it’s slightly strange that Barca are overwhelming favourites (4/9 bet365 bookmakers) to win this game of football, although the visitors are odds-on (4/6 Ladbrokes bookies) to deny Pep Guardiola’s team the chance to retain their crown at the Bernabeu Stadium.
In truth, Inter are in a commanding position, having won the first leg 3-1 and they are arguably the most dangerous counter-attacking team in European football. While Barcelona are once again likely to dominate possession, Jose Mourinho organises his team so that they can break quickly and it’s not inconceivable that they will win at the Nou Camp, something which is on offer at 7/1 (William Hill bookmakers). After all, they managed to triumph at Stamford Bridge and Moscow, with Diego Milito (9/1 Ladbrokes free bets) scoring in the first leg and once again on Saturday.
The Barca supporters will hope that Lionel Messi can be the difference on Wednesday evening, although the star striker didn’t get a sniff at the San Siro last week. Even so, Sporting Bet bookmakers offer 11/4 that the Argentine opens the scoring and you can get 8/11 (Coral) that he’s on the scoresheet during the ninety minutes. Bet365 free bets offer 5/4 that Barcelona turn this around and book their place in the final.