Champions League preview: Barcelona look to ease past Manchester United

The UEFA Champions League trophy [Courtesy]

The quarter-final second leg ties of the UEFA Champions League are set to take place this week, with all eight teams still in with a chance of making the final four. On Tuesday night (16 August) La Liga champions Barcelona welcome Manchester United to Camp Nou while Italian champions Juventus host Ajax. The following evening, Porto host Liverpool and Tottenham defend their 1-0 lead away at Manchester City.

First things first

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Champions League now in the knock-out stages, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Where should I be investing my money?

First up, let’s start with the clash between Barcelona and Manchester United at Camp Nou. Barça are the favourites to win the Champions League this season and are priced at just 3.50 to do so – in addition, they hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

United need to pull off another miracle just like they did against PSG in the round of 16. However, Barcelona have far more pedigree on the continental stage.

Man United travel to Barcelona [Courtesy]

And it is Barcelona who come into this match as the clear favourites to pick up the win. You can back Barça to triumph at just 1.36, while United are out at 9.00 to win in Spain, and 10.00 to progress to the semi-finals – a draw is priced in the middle at 5.50, according to Oddsshark.

This should be a comfortable evening for Barça. A 2-0 win for the home side is priced at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$40 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.62.

Juventus should ease past Ajax

Cristiano Ronaldo heads to score against Ajax [Courtesy]

On the same night, Juventus host Ajax having secured a 1-1 draw on the road. The Old Lady are intent on winning the Champions League this season and are priced at 5.00 to do so.

Ajax upset Real in the last round and will be confident of doing the same here, although the odds are not in their favour. They are priced at 3.25 to progress, while Juventus are at just 1.33 to go through to the semis.

And regarding this second leg tie, Juventus are the clear favourites to win on home soil. You can back the Italians to pick up the victory at just 1.72, while Ajax are out at 5.50 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.80.

We think Juventus should cruise to victory here. A 3-1 win for the Old Lady is priced competitively at 13.00, thereby offering more than a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Juventus win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.50.

Porto face tough task against Liverpool

The following evening, Porto have a mountain to climb against Premier League giants Liverpool. Porto lost 2-0 at Anfield and are facing elimination.

Liverpool players celebrate scoring against Porto in the first leg [Courtesy]

Liverpool of course reached the final last year and are priced at just 2.25 to do so again this season. In addition, they come in at just 1.030, while Porto are all the way out at 15.00 to somehow find a way past the Reds.

And while the betting is closer for this return tie, it is Liverpool who come in as the favourites to win on the road. You can more than double your money by backing the Reds to triumph at 2.10 while Porto, despite home advantage, are out at 3.80 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.50.

And we are expecting Liverpool to win again. A narrow, 1-0 win for the visitors is priced at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$40 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing a “No” to both teams scoring, at 2.05.

City need to overturn deficit against Tottenham

And finally, Manchester City host Tottenham looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. City are intent on lifting the Champions League trophy and are priced at just 4.33 to do so.

Man City take on Tottenham at the Etihad [Courtesy]

But it is Tottenham who have the advantage in this tie. Spurs are at 2.10 to make the final four, while City are slightly shorter at 1.66 to go through.

However, City come into this clash as the overwhelming favourites to win. You can back the home side to triumph at just 1.30, while Tottenham are all the way out at 11.00 to record what would be a shock win on the road – a draw is priced in the middle at 6.00.

And we believe that this one could well end up honours even. A 1-1 draw comes in at 11.00, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.75.

Champions League quarter-final second leg ties:

Tuesday, 16 April

(1.36) Barcelona x Manchester United (9.00); draw (5.50)

(1.72) Juventus x Ajax (5.50); draw (3.80)

Wednesday, 17 April

(3.80) FC Porto x Liverpool (2.10); draw (3.50)

(1.30) Manchester City x Tottenham Hotspur (11.00); draw (6.00)