CL Best Bets – Wednesday
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals - First Legs
Wednesday, Apr. 10
Games scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET
Ajax vs. Juventus
Ajax are perhaps the most surprising entry in this year’s last eight of the Champions League, but the Dutch giants are fully worthy of their place after knocking out Real Madrid. They are 5/2 to qualify here, with Juventus 2/7.
A lot here depends on the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo. He had been a doubt a couple of days ago, but he has been included in the squad and the word is that he will be fit to play.
Nonetheless there is a sense that this is not the best time to be backing Juventus. The fallout from the controversy involving Moise Kean and Leonardo Bonucci still continues, and Juve were unimpressive in a 1-1 home draw against AC Milan - a game from which they were lucky to escape with a point.Ajax are a reasonably simple side to analyse. They are dangerous and enterprising going forward but suspect at the back. They will know that they will need to win at the Johan Cruyff Arena to have any realistic chance of qualifying, so they will play attackingly.
Having taken that into consideration, the 3/4 about both teams scoring looks the best bet.
Tip: Both teams to score at 3/5
Prediction: Ajax 1-2 Juventus
Manchester United vs. Barcelona
Barcelona are a bigger price to win away to Manchester United than Manchester City are to win at Tottenham. And you would much rather be on Barcelona at 21/20.
Barcelona are not a perfect team by any means, but there is a vast gap in quality here. Manchester United were frankly very very lucky to get past Paris Saint-Germain in one of the most bizarre Champions League matches of recent years. United were on the back foot all game, had hardly any chances and somehow came away with a 2-0 win.
They are a much more imperfect side. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started well by simply correcting mistakes made by Jose Mourinho, but this is still a deeply flawed squad, and the prospect of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones having to deal with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez should not fill United fans with confidence.
Barcelona battered Tottenham - a team of similar quality to Manchester United - away from home. United have lost comfortably at home to PSG and Juventus this year. Quite simply, at 21/20 Barcelona look fantastic value.
Tip: Barcelona at 21/10
Prediction: Manchester United 0-2 Barcelona
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