Early on last week, we brought you our preview of the UEFA competition semi final 1st leg ties that took place from Tuesday to Thursday.
It would therefore be a little remiss if we didn’t take a look at how each game stands before we give your our preview and prediction for how the second leg will pan out, including our tip for which of the teams competing will reach their respective final.
With it being such a big week in the football calendar, with the Premier League potentially being decided at the weekend, as well as the finals of all the three European competitions, you can bet on bet365 Sport having a bumper selection of markets on offer.
So let’s begin with a look at how last week’s first leg ties turned out, before we turn our attention to the second leg games this week.
An interesting rather than spectacular game in Madrid saw plenty of high quality football and two teams who scored when the other was on top. City bossed the first half but fell behind to a fantastic 20-yard shot from Vinicius Jr.
But in the second half, as Real seemed to gain more of a foothold in the game, Kevin de Bruyne swept home an unstoppable 20 yard shot past Courtois to pull City level and leave the tie on a knife edge.
Inter Milan quickly gained a stranglehold in this game and then hung on to severely dent AC Milan’s chances of reaching the final. The game was just a few minutes old when Edin Dzeko somehow volleyed the ball home around his defender to give Inter the early lead.
Milan were stunned and Inter looked dangerous every time they came forward and added a second when Mkhitaryan burst through the exposed defence to slot home past the keeper. Milan rallied a little in the second half, but lacked a genuine attacking threat with Leao out injured.
Despite dominating the possession, Bayer Leverkusen head into the second leg a goal behind from the first thanks to Edoardo Bove’s second half strike. The youngster swept the ball home after the Leverkusen keeper could only parry out Tammy Abraham’s shot.
In what was an even game, both sides had chances to score a goal. Florian Wirtz missed a great chance on 6 minutes for Bayer and then Frimpong’s shot from a mistake by Roma keeper Rui Patricio was blocked on its way into the goal. Roma’s best chance to add to their tally saw Hradecky save well from Ibanez’ header on the stroke of half time.
Sevilla’s seeming invincibility in this competition continued as they bossed this first leg with Juventus, scoring a 26th minute oipener from En-Neysri who slotted home Ocampo’s cross. They should have added to that in the second half when En-Neysri and Ocampos both missed great chances.
Juventus were very much second best throughout the game but struck an underserved equaliser late on when Pogba did well to keep in Danilo’s header that was heading wide where he hooked it across goal for Federico Gatti to head home to give the Italians an undeserved draw.
Despite having the ball for most of the game, Fiorentina fell to two devastating counter attacking goals from FC Basel in the second half, after a bright first half where they could have led by more than just Cabral’s goal against his former club.
The home side had further chances in the second but FC Basel looked very dangerous on the break and Andy Diouf scored a fantastic equaliser, running from half way before cutting inside and slotting the ball low into the net. They then snatched the win in injury time when Amdouni forced home Males cross after Fiorentina failed to clear a free kick.
West Ham came back from a goal down to claim a first leg win in London. After a poor first half for the Londoners, AZ took the lead with Reijnders shot from outside the penalty box nestling in the corner past the diving keeper.
It took West Ham until the hour mark to really get on top but they were gifted an equaliser when Ryan’s attempt to clear saw him bundle into Bowen to hand the Hammers a penalty which Benrahma despatched well. Then Antonio put the Hammers in front when Aguerd’s header was blocked on the line but Antonio bundled the ball home to give the Hammers a first leg lead.
Now let’s take a look at our key predictions for the games this week.
How do Inter approach this game? I can see them trying to hit AC on the counter attack like they did in the first leg. AC should have Leao back this week which will benefit them but I still feel Inter will pick up the result they need to progress.
The draw is a good shot here at 23/10 as Inter don’t need the win.
There’s not a lot between these two sides but with the home leg being in Manchester, I think that does hand City a slight advantage and that may be all they need to secure the win here that would take them into a second Champions League Final. But expect this to be a close and dramatic game.
Back Manchester City to land the win here and both teams to score at 2/1.
Can Bayer Leverkusen land the win to either reach the final or force extra time? Roma are going to come and sit back and hit on the counter I believe which may suit the Italians. But I do think Bayer will win the game, but we may need extra time or even penalties to decide the winner.
Take Leverkusen to win the game at 13/8.
After a fantastic performance in Italy last week, in a game they should have won, I am confident that Sevilla may feel their name is on the trophy again this year and so I think they are the sensible option to back even against a Juventus side with a decent away record in this competition.
Take Sevilla to land the win here at 7/5.
AZ will feel their first half performance in London should give them a chance here, especially after warming up for this game with a big win at the weekend. West Ham’s away form in this competition though has been excellent and I think the Hammers will do just enough to squeak through.
Back the draw here at 5/2.
Fiorentina have won their last four away games in the Europa League by three of four goals and I can see them doing something similar here. FC Basel did very well to land the win in Italy last week, but I think Fiorentina are suited to playing away from home and that they will get the job done here.
Take Fiorentina to win the game at 4/5 or to qualify which is a 6/5 bet.
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