A big weekend of profit for the column with a couple of solid winners, including a 9/1 treble. It’s all about the Champions League again this week, and whether Manchester City can stay on course for the Quadruple by edging past Tottenham.
Running total: -£46.25
The Banker
Manchester City are a 4/6 shout to qualify for the semifinals despite losing that first leg 1-0 at Tottenham. The tie is delicately poised, and Wednesday’s game should be a cracker. Much will depend on Raheem Sterling, who scored a brace in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. However, there is so much quality in this City side it’s hard to see them slipping up, though Spurs will know an away goal changes the whole complexion of the tie. Mauricio Pochettino said recently that City are “still the clear favourites to win the Champions League and the Premier League.” Whether or not Poch was trying to play mind games, he has a point and if Pep Guardiola’s men can get on the front foot early then 4/6 looks a gift.
Selection: £9 on Manchester City to qualify at 4/6 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
Real Madrid travel to Leganes on Monday evening with Zinedine Zidane insisting “we are going to make changes” to their squad in the summer. It’s been a bitterly disappointing campaign for Los Blancos, who were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 and trail Barcelona by 14 points in La Liga. Marco Asensio is one of those players playing for his future and the youngster could be worth a punt at 6/1 to score first here.
Selection: £1 on Asensio to score first at 6/1 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Liverpool were always comfortable when beating Porto 2-0 at Anfield and look worth a go at 11/10 to win at the Estadio do Dragao. The Reds ran out 5-0 winners when they played Porto away last season and while a similar result is probably beyond them, they look good things for the win. Elsewhere both teams to score looks the way to go again when Juventus host Ajax. The pair drew 1-1 in Amsterdam but this fearless young Ajax side won’t freeze in Turin and are fancied to get among the goals. Add in Manchester City to qualify for a Champions League treble paying better than 5/1 with bet365.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 5.3/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Juventus are favourites to come through against Ajax but have struggled recently against teams who deploy a high-pressing style of football. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a crucial away goal in Amsterdam but the result flattered Juventus somewhat, and if defensive colossus Giorgio Chiellini misses out again then Ajax have the players to win here. The Dutch masters are 9/4 to qualify and that looks too big if that first-leg display is anything to go by.
Selection: £4 on Ajax to qualify at 9/4 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Barcelona didn’t play brilliantly at Old Trafford but a 1-0 win puts them firmly in the box seat against Manchester United. The Red Devils have struggled since confirming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their permanent boss and look up against it here. Barca will again dominate possession and have the players to really stretch this United defence at the Camp Nou. You can get 9/2 that the Blaugrana score a penalty and given the fact that VAR will be in use that price looks a tempter.
Selection: £2 on Barcelona to score at penalty at 9/2 with bet365.