Champions League semi-final betting picks & top value plays

The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League is approaching its end. It’s sad we only have four teams left, but this is set up to be an electric finish. It’s two English teams against two Spanish teams and the storylines are everywhere. There’s the upstart Villarreal team, the old guard of Real Madrid, then Liverpool and Manchester City. Enough said. It’s coming down to it and soccer fans cannot wait. We will have one game to watch on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and we have a pick for each of them.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid

This is going to be an awesome fixture. Both of these teams are playing great football and have expectations to win the title. They are two elite teams and are some of the biggest clubs in the game. Real Madrid have historically dominated this tournament, and while they have a different team than their wins of the past, they still have the moxie of a champion. Man City, on the other hand, have choked in the Champions League over the past couple seasons and are still reeling from their final loss last year. This game has everything.

As far as the actual game, it should be relatively close. Yes, City have a more talented team and will be at home, but Real play a scrappy brand of soccer. They will make it tough on City, and Real’s star striker, Karim Benzema, can create goals out of nothing. With it being the first leg, these teams may try to be cautious and not risk anything. That will play into Real’s hands, as they will be more than willing to get into a defensive match. They also have young wingers who are capable of having a moment of greatness, so if they do just that, Real could even win this game. City are better on paper, but Real are playing with a swagger right now that makes them the pick.

Liverpool vs Villarreal

This game may not have the buzz of the aforementioned match, but it’s still going to be very entertaining. Villarreal have been the story of the Champions League, getting past Bayern Munich and shocking the world. They have a great coach in Unai Emery, and while they don’t possess the talent Liverpool do, something keeps working out for Villarreal. Unfortunately for them, Liverpool are playing at a top level right now, and as scrappy Villarreal may be, the Reds are a step above.

In Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool possess goalscoring talent that no one can stop. They are both playing very well, and they’ve given us no reason to doubt them. At this point, Liverpool cannot be slowed down and as long their defense holds up, they should win and cover. They will be at home, so that is a huge advantage, and as impressive Villarreal have been, Liverpool shouldn’t struggle too much. Villarreal simply do not have the creative talent Liverpool do and it will be hard for them to stay in this game. Take Liverpool and watch some of the best players in the world run circles around the Villarreal defense.

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