UEFA Champions League Semifinals: Match Preview and Betting Lines
Published April 24, 2018 by Sol FH
It is down to the final four teams in the Champions League, and we've got action Tuesday and Wednesday Night at 19:45 GMT.
Tomorrow Night the first leg of the first semifinal match of the Champions League will be played at Anfield between Liverpool and Roma. Both of these teams were underdogs in their quarterfinal matches, but Roma beat the odds to make it this far. If you recall, last round Roma lost the first leg to Barcelona 4-1, but, it was that single away goal that was the turning point for them. In the second leg, Barcelona was stunned by Roma 3-0 leaving them out of a tournament in which they were favorites to win.
The Reds were also underdogs in the quarterfinals against Manchester City, but they put on a show in the first leg at home, winning 3-0 and then they won yet again while at the Emirates winning 1-2. It would've been tough to predict such a display of effort from both Liverpool and Roma, but, such as soccer and with it the upsets.
Liverpool vs. Roma
Roma finds themselves in a similar situation as in the quarterfinals. Betfair Sports has posted odds against them at 6.50, while the Reds are at 1.55 to win. It has been over a decade since Liverpool was in the semifinals and the electricity in the air can already be felt throughout the city as they prepare. Liverpool must push for an early goal and give Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain room to attack. Roma will not be a pushover, despite what Liverpool fans think. It will be an exciting two-legs, but, the year is here for the Reds and expect them to advance.
Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid
The following evening, Wednesday at 19:45 GMT, Bayern hosts Real. Zidane is now solely focused on making the Finals as the league season is over, with Real currently in third place (final match of league play is Saturday at 17:30 GMT), he has taken a strategic approach at readying his side for Bayern. Real Madrid made it to the semis by the skin of their teeth, after a questionable penalty call in the '94 minute against Juventus gave them the away-goal needed to advance. Bayern beat Sevilla in the first leg and held them for a draw in the second. Real looks poised to win a third-straight Champions League, but has a problematic two matches to play first. 888 Sports has posted first leg odds in favor of Bayern at 2.04, but Real is not too far behind at 3.70. A draw in the first leg could be the best bet at 3.70.
