Champions League Semi Final Second Leg Previews
Last week saw the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, where evenly-matched Bayern Munich hosted and beat Real Madrid 2-1 and where betting underdogs Chelsea hosted and beat Real Madrid 1-0. This week, the teams will take part in the Champions League semi-finals second leg.
Barcelona vs Chelsea
The first of two second legs will take place tomorrow night (Tuesday, April 24) at Camp Nou in Barcelona, where the home team will be eager to make up for their leg one loss against Chelsea. Not only will Barca have the advantage of playing in front of their enthusiastic home fans, but they'll have notable defender Gerard Pique back on the team.
It won't be lost on Champions League betting fans that with the welcome return of Pique to Barcelona's starting lineup tomorrow night, the Spanish side will be crammed with talent going into their matchup against the Blues, with only Andreu Fonta, Eric Abidal and David Villa still on the sidelines. As such, Barca coach Pep Guardiola is confident that his team will prevent another Chelsea victory. Barca have been laid as the overwhelming betting favorites.
Meanwhile, Chelsea interim coach Roberto Di Matteo will in all likelihood start pretty much the same team that pulled off a win last week, with the exception of one, maybe two, key players. While Blues defender David Luiz will be absent after being stretchered off in Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham, playmaker Didier Drogba may also miss tomorrow's match due to a knee injury. For our betting buck, Barcelona will successfully exact their revenge.
Barcelona vs Chelsea Odds at Bodog
| Barcelona | 2/7 |
| Draw | 11/2 |
| Chelsea | 9/1 |
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
On Wednesday evening Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-finals second leg, and just like Barcelona, they need to dispatch the German team if they have any hope of moving on to the finals. While Real lost to Bayern last week, at least they boosted their confidence by dispatching fellow Spanish side Barcelona in 'El Clasico'.
Plus it won't hurt Los Blanco's chances any that they'll have the home advantage on Wednesday evening. But they'll need more than to keep the Germans at bay. Not a team to give up, Bayern Munich secured a victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals thanks to a majestic last minute goal courtesy of Mario Gomez, who added to Franck Ribery's first half effort.
Interestingly, despite Bayern's victory last week, it is Real Madrid who've been laid as the overwhelming betting favorites. However, with a front line as powerful as theirs is, don't for a second believe that Bayern won't overcome their underdog status with a decent attack or two, where they more than have the skills to find the back of Real's net. For our betting buck, Bayern Munich will once again prove victorious.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Odds at Bodog
| Real Madrid | 1/2 |
| Draw | 7/2 |
| Bayern Munich | 11/2 |
