And then there were four. The semi finals of the Champions League kick off this week as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich thrash it out for European glory.
The Bet365 offer is back, once again available for this week’s big clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid. The rules are simple. Any new or existing customer can place a bet up to £50 on the game ahead of kick-off to trigger a risk-free in-play bet of the same value. Win the in-play bet and you’ll take the profit, lose and Bet365 will refund the stake to your account.
In this week’s Champions League tipster we suggest how to get the best out of Bet365’s promotion as well as selecting our best bets for the other semi final tie.
TUESDAY
Manchester City vs Real Madrid - full match preview
We kick off the semi final encounters at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City hope to secure the upper hand in their first leg meeting with Real Madrid. City geared up for the encounter with Los Blancos with an impressive 4-0 thumping of Stoke City at the weekend, while Real Madrid showed impressive spirit to come back from 2-0 down to overcome Rayo Vallecano 3-2. With both teams scoring freely at present and capable of netting at any time, the odds on both teams to score in the first half are available at a tempting 4.00.
Indeed, place a £50 bet and both teams scoring in the opening 45 minutes would secure a hefty £200 return. With City netting in the first half in two of their last three home fixtures and Real Madrid doing so in three of their last five away matches, this is an offer worth exploring, and in the process earns you a risk-free in-play bet of the same value. In turn, the odds on Kevin De Bruyne scoring anytime (3.40) are appealing given he netted in both legs against PSG and with the risk-free in-play bet of £50, you’re looking at a return of £170 should the Belgian hit the back of the net. If he doesn't Bet365 refund the £50 back into your account.
WEDNESDAY
Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich - full match preview
On Wednesday night, Atletico Madrid host Bayern Munich in what could be considered one of the toughest games to predict. Atletico are unequivocally resolute at the Calderon, but then Bayern can find a way past any team as and when required. It’s Atletico defensive resolve that could in turn see them progress to the next round of the competition at Bayern’s expense and I’m tempted in the odds of both teams not scoring at 1.70.
At least one side has failed to net in seven of Atletico Madrid’s last eight home fixtures and since Diego Simeone’s appointment as Los Colchoneros manager back in 2011, the Madrid side have conceded just four goals in 16 home Champions League ties, excluding penalty shoot outs. Their regimented defence knows how to shut out any opposition, regardless of their calibre, and it’s certainly possible for Atletico to keep the Bayern attack at bay on Wednesday night, and indeed vice versa.
