Europe UEFA Champions League Semi-finals, 2nd Leg (3-4 May)

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Villarreal vs Liverpool Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Villarreal:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Capoue, Coquelin, Parejo; Lo Celso; Chukwueze, Dia

Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Luis Diaz

Villarreal welcome Liverpool to La Ceramica in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday. The Reds are closer to the final after they won 2:0 at Anfield last week, Jurgen Klopp's men demonstrated big patience to break down the well organized Villarreal defense. They needed a touch of fortune to break the deadlock after 53 minutes when Jordan Henderson's cross was deflected beyond keeper Geronimo Rulli by Pervis Estupinan. Sadio Mane set the final 2:0 when he touched Mohamed Salah's pass beyond Rulli two minutes later. Liverpool had the possession and limited Villlarreal to just one shot in total, none on target. By the way, it isn't so simple against the side that claimed the scalps of Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous rounds.

Villarreal are the most pleasant surprise of the season in the Champions League. I will repeat, they managed to eliminate the former European champions Juventus and Bayern Munich in the previous stages of the competition. They are fully focused on this match and perhaps that was the reason for Saturday's defeat from Alaves in domestic La Liga. Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze scored, but Villarreal conceded twice and lost 2:1. Coach Unai Emery made eight changes from the starting eleven at Anfield in the first leg. Only Pau Torres, Dani Parejo and Chukwueze were still starters. Emery did it to keep his key players fresh. To be worse, he has lot of injury worries. The former Liverpool player Alberto Moreno and Yeremi Pino remain sidelined, while Arnaut Danjuma was ruled out in the finish of Saturday's match due to discomfort and is uncertain. The key striker Gerard Moreno is still doubtful due to hamstring problem.

Liverpool were not that good for the weekend, but still won 1:0 at St James Park. Jurgen Klopp made five changes leaving top scorer Mohamed Salah and key midfielder Thiago Alcantara on the bench. It was clear he need to rotate in order to save some players for this match. Newcastle started strongly, pressing Liverpool high and forcing them into a couple of early mistakes. But Liverpool scored the lone goal through Naby Keita in the 19th minute. The midfielder showed great composure as he dribbled across the box and past Martin Dubravka before slotting into the net. Jurgen Klopp has the majority of his players available, only the Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino is rated as doubtful. His foot injury is proving more complicated than initially anticipated. Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas have both returned from illness to find between the reserves against Newcastle, while Divock Origi is also fit. However, it is hard to believe Origi could start as four top strikers are already fighting for three places in attack - Salah, Jota, Diaz and Mane.

Villarreal vs Liverpool Prediction:

I expect an open and efficient match in Spain. Villarreal have no space for calculation, they must attack as they need to score at least twice to stay in life. However, it is dangerous to attack team like Liverpool who have excellent counterattacks. Mo Salah and Luis Diaz will try to found the back of the net, but Sadio Mane will be particularly motivated - if he scored his 15th Champions League knock-out goal, the Senegal international would equal the record for the most strikes at this stage of the tournament for a Premier League club - currently held by Frank Lampard. In any case, I expect an open and efficient game.

Villarreal vs Liverpool Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.65 with Pinnacle

 

[ALEXXXXXXX]

Over (3/3.5) @105

Analysis:​

UEFA Champions League Semi Final is ongoing. The 2nd between Real Madrid and Manchester City will kick off at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Real Madrid
In the last game, they defeat RCD Espanyol 4-0. Their fifteen-point lead put the team in an unassailable position of Spanish La Liga. What they need to do at present is to concentrate on European games and win another champion.

Manchester City
They are sitting in the first place in EPL, with just one point ahead of Liverpool. As the gap between them and the second is narrow, they must try their best for the rest of this season. They have a psychological advantage as they get one goal lead in 1st leg.

 

[qpLucas]

Villarreal - Liverpool
Pick: Liverpool and Both teams to score @ 3,25

 

[spkutano]

Real Madrid vs Manchester City Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Manchester City:
Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Foden

Real Madrid welcome Manchester City to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg semi-final tie on Wednesday. The Citizens won 4:3 at the Etihad Stadium last week, but one-goal advantage do not guarantee anything. Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring with a diving header from Riyad Mahrez's cross in the second minute, while in-form Gabriel Jesus made it 2:0 from close range nine minutes later. Real could easily concede the third, but Mahrez was selfish and hit the side-netting instead of finding the unmarked Phil Foden. According to a unwritten "football rule" Karim Benzema took advantage from Ferland Mendy's cross after 33 minutes. City restored their two-goal advantage when an unmarked Foden headed home Fernandinho's cross in the 53rd minute. Vinicius Junior made it 3:2 when he ran from inside his own half to score a superb second for Real. However, a brilliant sense for advantage from referee Istvan Kovacs allowed Bernardo Silva to fire into the top-left corner for City's fourth. The final result was set in the 82nd minute when Benzema converted a penalty following Aymeric Laporte's handball.

Real Madrid should not be underestimated, particularly not in the Champions League. After all, they are the most successful club in the history of the competition with 13 titles. The atmosphere in the club is excellent as they had a successful weekend in domestic La Liga. Los Blancos beat Espanyol 4:0 on Saturday to confirm the 35th league title. Two goals were scored by Rodrygo, while Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema also found the back of the net. Real are 15 points clear of second-placed Barcelona with four games to play. Coach Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager to win the title in all five of Europe's major leagues. He had already won titles in Serie A, French Ligue 1, the Premier League in England and Bundesliga. Ancelotti has some injury worries ahead of this match. He took a risk rushing David Alaba back for the first leg following his injury woes, and the Austrian was taken off at half time at the Etihad. Alaba also missed the match against Espanyol and he is rated as doubtful here. In addition, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Luka Jovic are also struggling with injury. Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez are back from domestic suspensions. Isco is also a doubt due to illness. Rodrygo is hoping to keep his place in the starting eleven after bagging a brace against Espanyol.

Just like Real, Manchester City also won 4:0 in domestic league during the weekend. They outplayed Leeds United and remained on the top of the table one point clear of the second-placed Liverpool. Pep Guardiola's men needed the victory after Liverpool had overtaken them earlier in the day with victory at Newcastle. And they produced an impressive performance at Elland Road, scoring four unanswered goals. City went ahead in the 13th minute when Rodri glanced home Phil Foden's free-kick. Manchester doubled their advantage nine minutes after the break from another set-piece, Nathan Ake pouncing from close range when Foden's corner was headed down by Ruben Dias. Foden was the key name on the match and he was involved again when he set up the third for Gabriel Jesus with 12 minutes left, before Fernadinho added the fourth with virtually the last kick of the game. Guardiola has some injury worries ahead of this match. Kyle Walker will travel to Madrid, but he is doubtful with an ankle injury. Nathan Ake trudged off with a knock in the win over Leeds and will need to be assessed, while John Stones remain sidelined. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez are expected to return to the first XI after being named among the substitutes against Leeds. Gabriel Jesus is pushing for a starting spot amid his hot streak of goalscoring form.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City Prediction:

I think Manchester City will win. Of course, Real Madrid should not be underestimated, they are the most successful club in the history of the competition with 13 trophies. Real have already eliminated PSG and Chelsea, but I think that's their maximum. Manchester City are class above the other teams. Real were lucky to lose only 4:3 in the first match, but I don't think they will be lucky again.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City Pick: Manchester City to win @ 2.10 with Bet365

 

[spkutano]

Villarreal vs Liverpool Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.65 with Pinnacle

2-3

 

[qpLucas]

what a game yesterday... by far one of the most exciting 2 leg battle I've seen in a long time!

 

[Betting Forum]

What were the odds before the 2 goals? Damn, must have been astronomical for Real to qualify.

 

[spkutano]

What were the odds before the 2 goals? Damn, must have been astronomical for Real to qualify.

Surely astronomical, maybe 101,00