Europe Champions League Semi-finals Second Leg, 4-5. May

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko; Rodri, Gundogan, Silva; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden

Paris Saint-Germain:
Navas; Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Bakker; Paredes, Herrera; Di Maria, Verratti, Neymar; Mbappe

Manchester City and PSG will play the second leg of their Champions League semi-final showdown at the Etihad on Tuesday night. As You know, the Citizens won 2:1 at Parc des Princes. Pep Guardiola's side fell behind to Marquinhos' header, glanced in from di Maria's corner in the 15th minutes. However, the Citizens didn't give up and managed to turn out the first leg tie. Kevin de Bruyne equalized after 64 minutes with his 5th goal in the last eight Champions League appearances in the knock-out stage. Finally, Riyad Mahrez put his team in a position to reach their first Champions League final when his left-foot free-kick went through the wall to beat Navas in the 71st minute. To be worse for PSG, Idrissa Gueye saw a red card in the finish of the match for a dreadful challenge on Gundogan. He is the first player to be sent off twice in a single Champions League campaign since Alvaro Arbeloa from Real in the season 2012/13.

Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 2:0 on Saturday in domestic Premier League and it's just a matter of time before they mathematically secured the title. The previous weekend they lifted the Carabao Cup after beat Tottenham at Wembley. But the Arab owners are no more satisfied with domestic titles, they want the Champions League trophy, nothing less. Pep Guardiola is feeling a big pressure, he know how important this match is. This is the first semi-final for Pep as City manager. Previously he eliminated two German sides with the same name - Borussia Dortmund and Borussia M'gladbach. The Spanish coach decided to make lot of changes during the weekend. With no injury or suspension issues, Guardiola will put his best eleven here. Most probably, there should be an immediate recall for John Stones and Ruben Dias in the heart of the defense, while Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko should complete the defensive line. A complete overhaul of the attack should see Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling all dropping out.

Paris Saint-Germain failed to benefit from the home advantage in the first match. But that's not a big surprise, PSG haven't won any of the three home fixtures played in the Champions League during the knock-out stage. They lost 1:0 to Bayern Munich, played 1:1 with Barcelona and suffered the mentioned defeat from Manchester City. But they won at Allianz Arena and Nou Camp, so why not at the Etihad? Coach Mauricio Pochettino will try to restore the players confidence. But there are some injury and suspension worries for the Argentine coach. He will be without Idrissa Gueye after his red card in the first match. Considering the fact that Danilo Pereira played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, Ander Herrera is a logical choice to deputize in the midfield. Colin Dagba suffered an ankle injury against Lens, while Abdou Diallo is fit again. Pablo Sarabia, Julian Draxler and Mauro Icardi were solid against Lens, but is likely to start from the bench. Rafinha is rated as doubtful, while Juan Bernat is the long-term absentee.

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction:

In the history of the Champions League (including the former European champions Cup), there have been 47 instances of an English club winning the first match of a two-legged knockout tie away from home. On all 47 occasions the English teams secured the progress. Manchester City are huge favorites after the victory in Paris, but I think nothing is decided yet. PSG won't give up easily. They have top-class players like Neymar and Mbappe, so I believe PSG will score at Etihad. This should be an open and efficient match.

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.60 with Pinnacle

 

[ALEXXXXXXX]

Manchester City

They are in form, getting a four-match winning streak in various Leagues and Tournament. They rank the top in English Premier League now with 13 points lead, which puts them in an almost unassailable position. And they are stress-free as they get a 2-1 victory from PSG in last round.



Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

Kylian Mbappe Lottin who has scored 37 goals and made 10 assists for PSG this season, is their key to success. Whether PSG will play well depends on his state. But PSG still struggle for the title of France Ligue1 as they lack one point to rank the first.



Verdict:

Manchester City have never been defeated by PSG in past head-to-head clashes, which take the upper hand. And Manchester City have home advantage. It is believed that Manchester City are going to win in upcoming game.



Manchester City VS Paris Saint Germain (PSG)

1x2 Pick: 1

 

[spkutano]

Chelsea vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Chelsea:
Mendy; Silva, Rudiger, Christensen; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Chelsea welcome Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final battle on Wednesday night. The first match played at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano last week ended 1:1. Christian Pulisic scored the opener in the 14th minute, but Karim Benzema equalized 15 minutes later with a beautiful goal. It was Benzema's 71st Champions League goal and he become the joint-fourth highest scorer in the competition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have now scored more than Benzema. Real failed to secure any advantage ahead of the trip to London, but according to the experts, should be happy with the result. Chelsea were superior and might even regard themselves as unfortunate not to take an advantage into the return at Stamford Bridge. Real Madrid registered just one shot on target during the whole 90 minutes. On other side, it is unbelievable what Timo Werner missed in the first half when his shot from only six yards went straight at keeper Thibaut Courtois. However, 1:1 is an excellent result for the Blues and the whole pressure is on Zidane's side.

Chelsea are playing very good under Thomas Tuchel. The German coach is successful on all three fronts - in the Premier League, in the FA Cup and in the Champions League. Chelsea are inside Top-Four in the Premier League and secured the FA Cup final after eliminating Manchester City. But most of all, the owner Roman Abramovich is pleased with the results in the Champions League. They managed to beat Atletico Madrid and Porto in the previous stages of the competition. The players confidence is very high at the moment. On Saturday Chelsea beat Fulham with 2:0 and remain on the fourth place. Kai Havertz was the player of the match after scoring both goals. With only four games of the domestic season left to play, everything is in their own hands. Tuchel will try to use the momentum for another success. The German coach has almost all players available ahead of this match, only Mateo Kovacic is sidelined due to injury. Mason Mount is expected to be fit despite a scare against Fulham. Antonio Rudiger, who sustained a minor injury in the first leg, should be ready in time. The German coach has to decide about the attack - the fans are asking out-of form Werner to be benched. It is obvious he lost the confidence.

Real Madrid are in complicated position, they failed to secure advantage as hosts. But Real should not be underestimated as they are 13-time winners of the competition. It's very simple, they are the most successful side in Europe. Los Blancos have already eliminated Atalanta with 4:1 aggregate win, and Liverpool in the quarter-finals with 3:1 aggregate win. The domestic form is improving, Real beat Osasuna during the weekend. It was a hard victory, Real were unable to score until the 76th minute. However, centre-back Eder Militao netted a header, while Casemiro confirmed the victory four minutes later for the final 2:0. Three points from this match sees Real pile the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga. Next round will be very important as Top-Four teams play between them - Barcelona host Atletico, while Real face Sevilla. Zidane has some injury worries at the moment. Captain Sergio Ramos is struggling with a calf injury, but the medical team remain optimistic over his fitness for the match in London. Varane, meanwhile, is ruled out with an abductor issue. Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are also sidelined, while Ferland Mendy is doubtful with a calf problem. Midfielder Federico Valverde isn't sure and his appearance depends of the latest coronavirus test.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Real have to score in order to keep their promotional hopes alive. And I believe they are able to find the back of the net. Chelsea, meanwhile, will have lot of space for the fast counter-attacks. I expect both teams to score at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.95 with 10Bet

 

[betcatalog]

Real Madrid can not rely on their defense, although they are exhausted from absences to pave the way for the Champions League final, as they just have to go to London for goals to close their position. Such a strategy could leave Zidane's players vulnerable to Chelsea's rhythm in counterattacks, but the Blues are so good at defense, so we can predict a marginal match, where it will be judged again in detail. I will go with the few goals.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid @@ Under+2,5 Goals, odds 1,72