IT’S all to play for in Monaco in this Champions League Quarter-Final second leg. Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) gives us his thoughts.
Monaco v Juventus | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 1
The first leg of this match last week produced a tight encounter and I would be surprised if that wasn’t the case again here. Visitors Juventus are clear favourites at 7/5 with William Hill but that’s too short for me.
It’s been an outstanding campaign for Monaco. Most people felt they wouldn’t get out their group with Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit and Benfica lining up alongside them. They won it and conceded just one goal over the six games.
Arsenal were next for them in the Last 16, and despite the world and his wife writing them off, they qualified via away goals due to their stunning 3-1 win at the Emirates. Taking Monaco on this season has proved an expensive exercise.
After destroying Borussia Dortmund away from home in the previous round, Juventus will have their supporters here. Let’s not forget though they lost to both Olympiakos and Atletico Madrid in the group stages away from home.
In fact, their away record over the last two Champions League seasons has been P7 W2 D1 L4. Do you want to play at (fairly) short odds with those stats in mind? I’m happy to swerve, bearing in mind they only need a draw.
Yes, Monaco haven’t been as effective at home this season. Just six wins out of 17 in Ligue 1 at the Stade Louis II, but only two of those 17 games ended in defeat. In the Champions League they’ve won two of their home fixtures with the 2-0 Arsenal reverse their only loss.
I doubt we’ll see many goals here just as the odds suggest. Both these sides have impeccable defensive records this season and I can see the home side trying to sneak a goal and take it to extra time.
The low scoring Correct Scores are all between 5/1 and 6/1 so I’ll avoid as I’d prefer to drop a couple in, so instead I’ll back the draw at 23/10 with Coral. 0-0 and 1-1 are certainly scores I can envisage so this seems a sensible selection.
Best Bets
Moanco v Juventus – Draw (23/10 Coral)
25/1 Bayern, Barca, Real, Juve Acca
This should pay out at 6/1 but new Paddy Power players can get it at a huge 25/1. Just join to get the 25/1.
TOPICS Champions League Tips European Football Football
