It is do or die time for the four teams in Champions League action on Wednesday evening. Two teams will have already advanced to the semi-finals by the time these matches take place and we could be set for a thrilling night of European football.
Liverpool are in a commanding position ahead of their second leg with FC Porto. The Reds, still in contention for a Premier League and Champions League double, will take a two-goal lead into Wednesday’s fixture and an away goal will settle that particular tie.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have work to do against Tottenham Hotspur. The Premier League champions are involved in a hard-fought title race but Pep Guardiola’s side will be focused on reaching the semi-finals. Overturning the 1-0 deficit from the first leg will NOT be easy.
Neutrals will be hoping for a dramatic night of Champions League football and we’re hear to cast our eye over Wednesday’s double header. Without further ado, here are our best bets ahead of both games…
FC Porto vs LIVERPOOL
Porto won’t give up without a fight but it may prove prudent for Sergio Conceicao to focus on their upcoming Primeira Liga clash with Santa Clara.
With the Portuguese outfit now 15/1 to advance to the next round, the odds are very much against the hosts. You won’t find too many punters siding with Porto here…
Like Liverpool, Porto are involved in a nip-and-tuck title race. Currently level on points with Benfica, Porto will be hoping that avoiding defeat (10/13) against Liverpool can boost confidence.
Liverpool, now as short as 7/2 in the latest Champions League winner odds, will be quietly confident of getting the job done on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have won their last seven games in a row in all competitions and plenty of punters will fancy the Reds to extend that streak here.
11/10 could turn out to be a huge price for a Liverpool win. The Reds are lethal on the counter attack and the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane can expose this Porto defence.
This is quite difficult to predict but Liverpool are in the driving seat and they should create chances against Porto. The odds for Klopp’s side are too good to turn down.
TIP: Liverpool to win @ 11/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Porto 0-2 Liverpool (Priced at 17/2 with 888sport)
MANCHESTER CITY vs Tottenham Hotspur
Write Manchester City off at your peril. The Blues were underwhelming in the first leg but the defending Premier League champions bounced back with victory at Crystal Palace.
With City hunting an unprecedented quadruple, there are signs that the sheer number of matches is taking its toll. However, 4/6 for Guardiola’s men to reach the semi-finals is a very good price.
An early goal should settle any nerves and Tottenham will be wary of a City onslaught. The Blues are 13/20 to take a lead into half-time and that has been a regular winner in 2018/19.
Can Tottenham get the job done in the absence of Harry Kane? Spurs emerged victorious in the first leg and kept a clean sheet – it was almost the perfect night from their perspective.
However, Kane’s injury may prove crucial. Son Heung-Min has stepped up to the plate this season but he isn’t an out-and-out striker; Pochettino has a big decision to make.
Son scored the only goal of the game last week and the South Korean is a 29/10 shot to get his name on the scoresheet on Wednesday night. This one is still firmly in the balance.
There is little value in backing City to win but 4/5 for the hosts to score in both halves is a decent option. Guardiola’s side should have too much firepower on home soil…
TIP: Man City to score in both halves @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Man City 3-1 Spurs (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
