A memorable win for Juventus in the first leg? What’s the best bets in the follow-up? We asked Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79).
Real Madrid v Juventus | Wednesday 19:45 | Sky Sports 1
Juventus were very impressive in last week’s first leg when getting the better of Real Madrid 2-1, and the Italian side have a decent chance of reaching the final.
The onus is most definitely on Carlo Ancelotti’s team after that defeat, but do they have the tools to turn the tie around? While their illustrious rivals Barcelona have won 38 of their last 42 matches, this Madrid side have slipped to four defeats in their last 15 games. The aura of near-invincibility that Luis Enrique’s side have does not apply to Madrid.
While they swaggered and stomped through the first half of the season in blistering style, there has been a noticeable drop-off in form since the turn of the year. In five Champions League knockout matches they’ve won just two, compare that to the four of Juventus.
And then there’s the hunger issue as well? Madrid won the Champions League last season, will the desire be as strong this time round as we enter the final stages? Remember no side has ever defended this competition in a quarter of a century.
Then you look at Juventus, and you see a side who look better in 2015 than in 2014, certainly in this competition. The group stage was a toil. They won just three of their six games and were almost pipped by Olympiakos for a place in the Last 16.
They’ve drove on though in the knockout stages beating Borussia Dortmund home and away before cracking the puzzle that is Monaco. Last week’s victory was a huge deal for the club and for Italian football in general (just one side featuring in the last seven finals).
With the Serie A already wrapped up and key player Paul Pogba back from injury things look rosy in the Old Lady camp and they can give Madrid a real test here.
With Juventus buoyant and Real leaking in five of their last seven matches, the Both Team To Score bet at 20/23 looks a sensible call. I’ll back that up with nibbles on a 2-1 and 3-1 win for Real at 8/1 and 13/1 respectively.
Best Bets
Real Madrid v Juventus – Both Teams To Score (20/23 Boylesports)
Real Madrid v Juventus – Real Madrid to win 2-1 (8/1 Ladbrokes)
Real Madrid v Juventus – Real Madrid to win 3-1 (13/1 888 Sport)
9/1 Bayern and Madrid Double
Fancy both home teams to win this midweek?
New players to Betway get enhanced odds of 9/1 on this occurring. Keen?
TOPICS Champions League Tips European Football Football
