By the end of the week, we will know this season’s match-ups for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League semi-finals.
Last week’s action brought us three close matches and a major upset in Europe’s elite club cup competition, with three ties hanging in the balance ahead of the return legs. Here’s a look at them:
Chelsea vs FC Porto
Thomas Tuchel’s impressive start as Chelsea manager continued last week with a 2-0 win in the away leg to FC Porto in the first leg. The Blues now have one foot into the semi-final where they would face either Real Madrid or Liverpool.
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell scored the goals in a deserved win for the Premier League side, who would need a massive slip up in the home leg not to reach the final four.
Both ties are actually being played at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Chelsea’s domestic game was across London this weekend whilst Porto went to Tondela, both on Saturday evening.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain produced the surprise of the first legs with a 3-2 win away to defending champions Bayern Munich last week.
The German side’s defence were asleep for much of the match as Marquinhos took advantage of space left to him, scoring either side of Kylian Mbappe’s brace.
A late goal from Thomas Muller gives Bayern a chance, and they should not be overwhelmed by the first leg defeat given their talent and PSG’s history of bottling big matches in recent years.
Robert Lewandowski’s absence will be a huge blow for the visitors to the Parc des Princes, but odds of 9/4 to quality still look attractive, especially when using bet365 codes online.
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City
Phil Foden scored a late winner in the first leg as Manchester City didn’t have it all their own way in beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1.
Marco Reus’ away goal will certainly give the German side a boost heading into the home leg, and it should have been more but for Jude Bellingham’s first-half goal being inexplicably ruled out.
Manchester City are running away with the Premier League title whilst Dortmund are down in fifth domestically.
Erling Braut Haaland is on somewhat of a goal drought by his standards, but if the Norwegian can get back to his best, then Dortmund have a chance of causing an upset here. The attacking talent of both sides makes this a must-watch game this week.
The Citizens have only ever reached the Champions League once previously in their history but are strong favourites to progress from this tie and have the shortest odds at 2/1 to lift the trophy.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid are coming off an excellent week – winning the first leg of their quarter-final 3-1 over the defending Premier League champions, and then came away 2-1 winners over Barcelona in El Clasico to leapfrog their rivals in La Liga.
Zinedine Zidane’s side can’t afford to take their foot off the pedal at Anfield this week as Liverpool have a wealth of firepower to fire them into the next round.
With Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane still sidelined and limited rotation over the past couple of games, Madrid aren’t a certainty to progress from this tie, but a 3-1 lead should be enough.
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