Midweek tips: Champions League second leg action

With the Champions League second legs and midweek Premier League action coming up, there's plenty to preview over the next few days.

Arsenal have been a joy to watch recently and they maintained their push to secure Champions League football after breezing past Leicester City on Sunday to earn a fifth successive Premier League win.

They face another huge game on Wednesday when Liverpool roll into North London. The Reds kept the pressure on leaders Manchester City at the weekend by beating Brighton 2-0 and this is an intriguing clash between two teams in rare form.

Jurgen Klopp’s men crushed the Gunners 4-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, but it feels like Arsenal are made of sterner stuff these days with Thomas Partey and the brilliant Bukayo Saka in particular impressing in recent weeks. The sheer fluidity and creativity of Saka has been impressive and Arsenal will surely have their backers here at 100/30? Liverpool are 4/5 favourites and the draw is a top price 15/4.

Liverpool at odds on looks a little short, especially if Mo Salah missies out. The Egyptian was substituted in the second half at the Amex Stadium with Klopp concerned about his condition ahead of their trip to Arsenal.

Yet the route to profit here might be to actually swerve the 1x2 market altogether and instead have a punt on ‘Over 3.5 goals’. Liverpool are averaging an impressive 2.6 goals a game in the Premier League this season and the Gunners have themselves scored 43 goals in 26 matches.

At time of writing Liverpool have the three leading scorers in the Premier League. Salah is on 20 goals while Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota have scored 12 goals apiece. Over 3.5 goals is a 7/4 shot at the Emirates and given both teams like to play on the front foot it should land.

The Nap – Over 3.5 goals at 7/4 (bet365)

 

Manchester United’s Champions League last 16 clash with Atletico Madrid is delicately poised and the contest could go to the wire this Tuesday at Old Trafford.

When the smoke cleared after a titanic first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano it was honours even, with young gunslinger Anthony Elanga levelling for the Red Devils with virtually his first touch after Joao Felix had put ahead Atletico early on.

Ralf Rangnick's side know any kind of win in 90 minutes on Tuesday and they will advance and they will feel it is possible after Saturday’s Ronaldo-inspired 3-2 victory over Tottenham. However, there is a worrying fragility about this Manchester United defence and one wonders if they will be good enough to keep Atleti at bay?

The omens are not great for Rangnick's men, who have been eliminated from their last three UEFA Champions League knockout stage games when drawing the first leg (against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Sevilla respectively).

The Spaniards bossed the first leg for longs spells and won’t fear a trip to Old Trafford. However, both of these teams are struggling in terms of consistency and it would not be a major surprise to see the match go beyond 90 minutes.

Atleti are not the side they were last season but should not be underestimated here and Diego Simeone’s men look a spot of value at 9/1 to win on penalties.

Value Tip – Method of Qualification - Atletico Madrid to win on penalties at 9/1 (bet365/Paddy Power)

 

Everton face a crunch clash against Newcastle in the Premier League on Thursday after suffering a fourth straight league defeat at the weekend. Sunday’s 1-0 reverse against Wolves left Frank Lampard's side above the bottom three only on goal difference, though they do have games in hand on the teams around them.

These are worrying times for the Toffeemen, who could do with a win against a resurgent Newcastle team to put a bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom three. The Mags were easy 3-1 winners when these two teams met back in February at St James’ Park, so it’s surprising that the bookies make Everton fairly solid 7/5 favourites here. The teams have met 53 times in the Premier League era, with both clubs winning 21 games having also played out 11 draws.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin heads the first goalscorer betting but he looks pretty short at 9/2 given his last goal for the Blues was back in August and he wasn’t even named in the squad for that weekend defeat against Wolves.

A better shout could be Chris Wood at 6/1. One goal in nine matches since his move from Burnley can hardly be regarded as prolific form around the old onion bag, but Wood has played an integral role in Newcastle’s recent upturn in fortunes.

You have to go back to April 2018 for the last time Everton beat the Magpies at Goodison, and Wood can help the Toon extend that unbeaten run by scoring first under the lights on Thursday.

First Goal Flutter – Wood to score first at 6/1 (bet365/betway/888sport)

 

Juventus have lost at the last 16 stage for the last three seasons on the spin but even with this in mind I still wouldn’t put punters off having a bet on them at a shade under even money to see off Villarreal on Wednesday.

Since the first leg on February 22 – where the teams played out a cagey 1-1 draw - Juventus have won four straight matches and look the logical call to advance.

The Italian giants came into this tie as Group H winners having crept past Chelsea in the final moments during their sixth and final group game. Similarly, Villarreal also came through some last-day drama in the group phase, with a 3-2 victory at Atalanta giving them second place in Group F.

Brilliant youngster Dusan Vlahovic has the skills to fire Juventus to glory against the Yellow Submarine, and Massimiliano Allegri’s in-form side can move into the last eight with minimal fuss in Turin.

The Euro Banker – Juventus to win in 90 minutes at 10/11 (Betfair/Coral/Hills/Skybet)