The Champions League quarter-finals enter the second half this week and they are some eagerly anticipated fixtures after the first 90 minutes proved to be eventful ties across the board.
Here our tipster looks through the pick of the ties on both days as the European elite go in search of a spot in the final four of the biggest club competition in the world.
Man City v Liverpool
At the halfway stage back in Istanbul 13 years ago no-one gave Liverpool a chance of coming back from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in the Champions League Final.
But a Steven Gerrard-inspired showing led Rafa Benitez’s side to glory on the night, and Man City will be looking to emulate that feat as they look to produce a European night to remember and secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
Despite the 3-0 deficit you can ill-afford to write off Pep Guardiola’s side. If they get an early goal, the Etihad atmosphere could inspire them to the big victory they need, while Liverpool have been known to throw away some big leads in the past – including throwing away a three-goal lead at Sevilla in the group stages.
Man City are at an interesting 4/1 to go through come the end of the night, whether it be after 90 minutes or extra time, while Liverpool are unsurprisingly a short-priced 1/7 to reach the last four.
Goals are almost a given between these two sides with their recent records and even over 3.5 goals in the game doesn’t represent great value at 19/20, but a possible bet which could give you a good return is 5 or more goals to be scored in the game at 7/4.
With City needing a fast start, a goal in the opening 15 minutes could also be on the cards at 8/5.
Bayern Munich v Sevilla
While it looks nigh-on impossible to see Juventus overturn a 3-0 deficit to Real Madrid in Wednesday’s other quarter-final second leg, this tie is not a complete foregone conclusion.
Bayern go into the game with a 2-1 advantage following their victory in Spain last week and are overwhelming 1/50 favourites to progress. If you fancy a massive upset then Sevilla are 16/1 to come from behind at the Allianz Arena and secure their passage through to the last four.
Although it looks highly unlikely, you cannot completely rule it out though following their surprise 2-1 win at Manchester United in the last-16 stage to make the quarter-finals.
Those markets look extremely tough but one with more obvious appeal is the goalscorer market and if Sevilla are to have any chance of progressing then they will need Wissam Ben Yedder – who is the second top Champions League goalscorer this term with eight to his name – to net and he is good value of 7/2 to score anytime.
It is hard to look beyond Bayern though in this tie, and a repeat scoreline of the 2-1 first leg win for the Germans could be a decent bet, and one I will be going for at 9/1.
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