Once again only four countries will be represented in the last eight of the Champions League this season but at least we have an unusual face in there attempting to tear up the script.
Villarreal, winners of last season’s Europa League, will be aiming to reach the semi-finals of competition for only the second time in their history but have European superpower Bayern Munich standing in their way tomorrow night.
Tonight, 2-time champions Benfica will be the flag-bearers for Portugal at Anfield. They’ve been European Cup semi-finalists on nine occasions but not yet under the tournament’s current guise as the Champions League.
There’s a long way to go to glory for the Eagles, and if it wasn’t tough enough beating the cream of Europe on the pitch they’ll need to end the Curse of Béla Guttmann, who in 1963, infamously stated, “Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champions again” just a year after they last lifted the trophy. Since then five finals and come and gone without success plus a further three losing apperances in UEFA Cup / Europa League finals. Nevermind, only another 41 years to go until the curse expires.
Whether you believe in curses or not the chances of Benfica progressing past Liverpool look slim. 8/1 in fact, according to Bet365.
Inter Milan gave the Reds a bit of a fright in the previous round but the hard work had already been done before the Italians nicked a 1-0 win at Anfield. A better barometer for tonight could be Liverpool’s 5-1 and 2-0 win over Benfica’s Primiera Liga rivals Porto in the group stages.
Jurgen Klopp’s side swatted aside the Portuguese league leaders, whom Benfica trail by 15 points, and it could be a similar story tonight. While you can’t write off Benfica’s terrific victory over Ajax in the last round, tonight presents Klopp an opportunity to get the job done and allow him to ease up in the second leg. With some crucial matches on the horizon, none moreso than the clash with Manchester City on Sunday, the Reds might go for the jugular here.
Benfica conceded nine over two matches to Bayern earlier in the competition so despite being just 4/11 to win, three or more goals for Liverpool makes plenty of appeal at 11/8.
Diego Simeone’s blueprint for Atletico Madrid’s success has alway been built on a solid defensive footing and that was evidenced in their dogged 1-0 at Old Trafford in the previous round, but the La Liga champions are suffering something of an identity-crisis this season, conceding 37 goals in the league – the highest tally in the top eight, and keeping just nine clean sheets in 30 top flight matches.
They could be forgiven for qualifying with a negative goal difference from a group that included Liverpool, Porto and AC Milan but it all points to a weakness that Man City will be well equipped to exploit when the teams meet tonight.
10/1 on Atleti to win is a little bit tight, it puts them on a par with the likes of West Ham or Spurs visiting the Etihad but the bookies clearly don’t expect any slip-ups from Pep Guardiola’s men who are 3/10.
Expect City to secure a first leg lead and to score a couple of goals in the process.
Super Singles
- Liverpool to score 3+ Goals 11/8 Bet365
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Tue 19:45 Sheffield United v QPR
- Tue 19:45 Preston North End v Blackpool
- Tue 19:45 Millwall v Swansea City
- Tue 20:00 Benfica v Liverpool
- Tue 20:00 Manchester City v Atletico Madrid
- Wed 12:05 Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
- Wed 19:45 Middlesbrough v Fulham
- Wed 20:00 West Bromwich Albion v AFC Bournemouth
- Wed 20:00 Villarreal v Bayern Munich
Today’s Racing Tips
Rizzel landed a 8/1 winner on Monday, he has two selections at Pontefract for Tuesday’s action. Meanwhile, Cairnzy has one selection which has caught his eye at Southwell.
- Racing tips: Southern Raider Maketh Believeth catches the eye at Ponte
- Tuesday’s Free Racing Tips: Ange Endormi will strip fitter for recent run
As always, let us know your tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
The post Tuesday’s Betting Tips: Jurgen To Go For The Jugular in Portugal appeared first on MrFixitsTips.