European semi-final top tips - Ronaldo, Manchester United & more

Juventus-Monaco - Under 2.5

The previous game was billed as Europe’s best attack vs Europe’s best defence but that’s a disservice to the Old Lady’s enviable firepower, as the first leg proved. Gonzalo Higuain scored in each half to ensure Juventus have one foot in what would be a second Champions League final in three years. That showpiece against Barcelona in 2015 was the last time that the Serie A champions conceded three goals in 90 minutes of a European game, and that’s what Monaco must do to progress in regular time on Tuesday.

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The Juventus rearguard have conceded just twice in the Champions League all season though, with three consecutive clean sheets against the top two goalscorers in Europe’s top 5 leagues in the form of Barcelona and Jardim’s side. Expect another masterclass in defending and controlling the game from the hosts, making odds of 2.00 on under 2.5 goals too hard to resist. 

Atletico-Real Madrid - Ronaldo to score anytime

Let’s make this a quick one. Ronaldo, who was rested at the weekend, has scored back-to-back Champions League hat-tricks as well as two trebles in meetings with Atletico this season. Against a side that will have to come out of their comfort zone and attack from the outset, chances are guaranteed for Zidane’s men given the hosts’ need to break out from their rigid lines and Ronaldo is 1.90 to score at any time. 

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Lyon-Ajax - Lyon highest scoring half = 2nd

After a 4-1 humiliation in the first leg - a scoreline that could have been considerably worse had Anthony Lopes not produced 12 saves - Lyon need to go for the jugular on Thursday. OL are certainly capable of scoring the three goals that they need as a minimum requirement but Ajax will no doubt look to keep things as tight as possible, particularly early on. Bruno Genesio may well end up throwing on more attacking players as the game wears on, and his side has scored the majority of their goals in the second half of 10 of their last 13 home games. A repeat, with the hosts’ highest scoring half being the second, is at 2.10 with Bet365.

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Manchester United-Celta Vigo - 0-0 at HT

Holding the narrow advantage from the first leg, albeit with a crucial away goal, Jose Mourinho will be in no rush to try and kill the game off against Celta Vigo on Thursday. Whilst they controlled the game in Spain, the Red Devils have been wasteful in front of goal all season, particularly at home, where they have drawn all too often. It would be no surprise whatsoever if this were another nervy affair for the United fans, who have only seen an unwarranted Wayne Rooney penalty scored by either side in the first half of their last 4 matches. Another 0-0 draw at the interval is at 3.25.

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