Champions League Semifinals: The Final Four Battle for a Spot in the Championship
Published May 1, 2018 by Sol FH
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich and Roma vs. Liverpool; check out the match preview and bettings odds ahead of the Leg 2 action.
It is "do or die" for Bayern Munich, and, for Roma as the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals gets underway tonight. After significant losses in the first leg for both of these teams, this will be the last chance for survival and a potential ticket to face one another in the championship match. For the time being, Real Madrid will face Liverpool in the Finals in Kiev on May 26, and Los Blancos has a real shot at winning their record-breaking 13th Champions league, and, their third in a row.
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich - May 1, 19:45 GMT
Real Madrid is the winningest team in the history of the UEFA Champions League tournament. Los Blancos won it for five-straight years from 1956-1960 and now have a chance to make it three-straight since 2016. Although Real didn't win their League title again this year, as Barcelona put on a show throughout the year, but, Real is an entirely different kind of monster in the Champions League.
There have been questions asked about the job-security of Zidane if he achieves anything less than a third-straight title, but when talking to the press, he said that the decision to remain in Madrid is independent of his squad winning. As it stands, Real Madrid is considerable favorites to beat Bayern tonight and advance to the Finals, after winning the first leg in Munich 2-1. Bayern is in a desperate situation and needs away goals and a big win if they would have any chance.
Online bookmakers like Betfair Sports have posted their odds, and the lines are all in favor of Los Blancos. The Outright Win odds are at 2.20 for Real and 3.10 for Bayern. A draw is listed at 4.00. Betfair Sports has posted hundreds of odds ahead of this match and are also offering Live In-Play betting markets throughout all 90 minutes of action.
Roma vs. Liverpool - May 2, 19:45 GMT
After a big victory in the first-leg, the Reds are looking to close out Roma. This was almost the same case in the quarterfinals against Barcelona, as Roma lost the first match 4-1, but, came back under their home-stadium lights and won the second-leg 3-0. Roma is miracle-makers at home and needs yet another one against Jergen Klopp's men.
Roma could potentially have another fantastic comeback to knock Liverpool out, as the Reds will be without four first team-players. Last week, Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a season-ending knee injury against Roma, Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, and Emre Can are all still sidelined. Klopp may bring Sadio Mane back as well.
Roma will only be without Diego Perotti, and Kevin Strootman, so things are not all bad for the Italians. 888 Sport is siding with Liverpool, but only by the slightest of margins at 2.55 for outright victory for the Reds, and 2.60 for Roma. A draw is listed at 3.95.
