Betting odds and predictions for Champions League semi finals

The Champions League quarter finals have just passed and we can not say that events went exactly as expected. Not that Villarreal is a weak team, but still, their opponent was Bayern Munich, which reached this stage undefeated, with 7 wins and an impressive positive goal difference. Just before the match, the Germans had averaged winning odds of 1.44 (0.44/1) while the Spanish squad entered the battle with odds of 9.0 (8/1). Those who have noticed the coregeous pressing play of Villareal during the first leg and have backed them with a wealthy bet, now rub their hands. Bayern out of the Semis, wow! In a season when Northern Macedonia prevented the European champion Italy from taking part in the World Cup, apparently anything is possible. Real Madrid and Chelsea provided us with two real football spectacles and after a total score of 5:4 the Spaniards went ahead.

From the second quarter final night we expected to find out if there will be a third Spanish team in the next phase of the tournament or if bookmakers were right to give Manchester City an advantage in their football predictions. No surprizes here, after a not that exciting match, without a single goal scored and 1:0 in the first leg, Man City reached the semifinals, where they will face Real Madrid. The last quarter final was a sight for sore eyes, with six goals, three for each team, this was a final before the final. Despite their efforts and indisputable skills of Benfica players, Liverpool turned out to be an insurmountable obstacle for them.

Manchester City – Real Madrid Betting Odds

Football players are still recovering from last night’s matches, but bookmakers are already accepting bets for the semifinals on April 26th and 27th. All popular bet types are available for pre-match wagering including 1×2, Total Score, and Asian Handicap. Currently, online betting platforms unanimously give preference to Man City in their predictions. The difference in betting odds is quite significant – for the Citizens they are 1.53 (8/15) while Real comes with odds of 6.25 (21/4).

Let’s see why Man City is considered a favorite. Pep Guardiola has a well-balanced squad that currently seems to be better than the one of Carlo Ancelotti, as subjective as this statement may be. Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates are leaders in the standings in the Premier League and have not lost in their last 5 games. In addition, they reached the semifinals of the FA Cup relatively easily, where this Saturday on April 16th their opponent will be Liverpool. On the other hand, Real Madrid have also occupied the top position in La Liga and boast a tremendously successful history. They have shown us many times how they manage to gather strengths and show the best of themselves in the right place and at the right time.

It is not a good idea to blindly rely on the official football betting odds. You remember what happened to the top favorite Bayern Munich just a few days ago, don’t you? The good thing is that both teams have matches in their domestic championships before the first leg of the Champions League semi finals, which will help us have a better idea of their current form.

Predictions on Liverpool – Villarreal Semi Final

Here, at least seemingly, the duel does not appear to be so contested with Liverpool being the clear favorite (averaged odds of 1.29 against 13.0). With their seventh place in the current La Liga standings, the Spaniards are not that far behind, but in the last 5 matches they have suffered 3 losses, which is a crummy statistic. If they continue to perform this way, we will not see Villarreal in the Champions League next year.

Liverpool reach this stage of the tournament almost every year, while the last participation of Villarreal was in the distant 2005-2006 season. We have to admit that this year’s draw put Liverpool in a really tough competition. So far, of their Champions League rivals, only Atletico have never won the event. This makes even more impressive their already great performance – ten matches and only one loss in the second match against Inter Milan. Who would dare place a bet against the Reds? Not us, for sure.

Will the Champions League have a new winner?

In a little over a month we will know the name of this year’s champion in the most renowned European football tournament. The eyes of footballers, fans, and punters are on Stade de France, where on May 29th the long-awaited final will take place. According to current betting odds announced by top European bookmakers, the winning chances of Manchester City and Liverpool are almost equal. One thing is for sure, the British-Spanish dominance in the tournament will continue. Grab the popcorn, chill the beer, and let’s watch.