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Champions League Odds Ahead of Semifinals Make Liverpool and Man City Co-Favorites

   Published Date: April 13, 2022
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  • The Champions League semifinals are now set after several tantalizing matches in the quarters
  • The Champions League odds are favoring Man City and Liverpool at +120 ahead of the last four
  • Read on for the analysis and best bet to win Europe’s most prized competition

There are officially four teams left in the 2021/22 Champions League after several must-see fixtures in the quarterfinals. Liverpool will face Villarreal in the semis, while Manchester City lock horns with Real Madrid, who knocked off holders Chelsea in a drama-filled second leg at the Bernabeu.

Heading into the last four, both the Reds and Citizens sit as co-favorites in the Champions League odds at +125, followed by Madrid at +550 and the Villarreal at a long +1800.

Champions League Odds

Team Odds
Manchester City +120
Liverpool +120
Real Madrid +550
Villarreal +1800

Odds as of April 13th at DraftKings

Liverpool Should Be in the Final

Jurgen Klopp’s men were handed a relatively simple road to the semis, beating an inexperienced Champions League side in Inter in the Round of 16, then defeating Benfica in the quarterfinals. Liverpool convincingly won 3-1 in the first leg against the Portuguese standouts then decided to bench numerous starters in the reverse fixture on Wednesday. That almost backfired as it ended 3-3 but the Reds came out victorious 6-4 on aggregate.

Nevertheless, the Merseysiders shouldn’t have any problems getting past Villarreal. Yes, they just eliminated Bayern in historic fashion, but the Reds’ experience on this stage will prove to be crucial.

City Not Convincing

The Citizens were far from clinical in the quarters, only winning 1-0 across two legs vs Atletico Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s group played extremely defensive in the Spanish capital on Wednesday and lacked any real attacking intent. City basically seemed happy with just keeping Atleti at bay, although the hosts nearly drew level in a wild 10 minutes of injury time.

Los Blancos awaits and it will not be easy for the English title-holders. While Madrid is a much different team than a couple of years ago, City did beat them 4-2 across two legs in the 2019/20 last 16, which is a positive sign. Hopefully, a similar trend can follow as the Sky Blues look to find their attacking form and book their ticket to a second final in a row.

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Can Madrid Pull it Off?

The most successful club in the history of the competition, Madrid held a 3-1 advantage on aggregate heading into the second leg against the Blues. However, Thomas Tuchel’s side came out firing, scoring three goals by the 75th minute. Los Blancos responded though, with Luka Modric finding Rodrygo with a world-class ball to send the match to extra time. None other than Karim Benzema ultimately sent his side through to the final four, scoring an emphatic header in the 96th minute.

It was an impressive comeback from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, but they did collapse and let Chelsea fight their way back into the tie. Despite City’s lack of finishing in the quarters, the Premier League side will punish Madrid if their backline falters like this again. With Benzema in the form of his life though, anything is possible.

Can Villarreal Continue Cinderella Run?

The Yellow Submarine won Europa last term, but no one could’ve predicted they would be in the semifinals of the UCL. Villarreal did it in style too, convincingly knocking off Juve and then shocking Bayern. To be frank, the Germans played extremely poorly, especially in the final third. But, Unai Emery’s men did enough to find a winner on Tuesday courtesy of Samuel Chukwueze.

Say what you want, but the La Liga club is still searching for glory. That being said, Liverpool will be perhaps their toughest task yet. The Reds are smack in the middle of a title fight in England and firing on all cylinders in Europe.

Champions League Pick

Honestly, Liverpool is the team who I believe will lift the trophy. It could very well be an all-England final, but whether it’s Madrid or City as their opponent, the Reds should be considered the favorite. They’re fundamentally sound in all areas and capable of beating any team left in the competition. The value is terrific.

Pick: Liverpool +120

The post Champions League Odds Ahead of Semifinals Make Liverpool and Man City Co-Favorites appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

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Author: Stacy Hoffman