Two of the three top favorites to win the Champions League will be in action on Wednesday when FC Barcelona travels to Old Trafford to face Manchester United and Juventus heads to Amsterdam to face Ajax. Although Barcelona and Juventus are on the road, both teams are favored to win the first leg of their Champions League Quarterfinals matches. Manchester United and Ajax are looking to keep their Cinderella stories alive.
Champions League Quarterfinals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester United +260
FC Barcelona +104
Draw +266
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Overcoming a two-goal deficit to stun Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital in the Round of 16 played a huge part in Manchester United deciding to make Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the full-time manager. The Red Devils have been a different team since he was made manager in mid-December, and Paul Pogba has been phenomenal. Pogba is once again showing why he is one of the most dangerous midfielders in the role, and he gives United a puncher’s chance against Barcelona.
The Blaugrana have the best player in the world. Lionel Messi will turn 32 in June, but he is still going strong. Messi has already locked up the La Liga Golden Boot with 32 goals in 28 matches, and he is leading the league with 12 assists too. He and Luis Suarez continue to be a dynamic pairing up top.
Solskjaer’s job is all the more impressive considering Manchester United has been dealing with a number of injuries over the last couple months. Alexis Sanchez will miss this match, and Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia are likely to be out too. Marcus Rashford and Eric Bertrand Bailly may not be able to play due to injury either.
Ousmane Dembele is the only real injury concern for Barca. Dembele is back in training, so the Catalan side are optimistic that he will be able to play, and that would give them another option.
Barcelona have not been as overwhelming as we have seen in the past. I really like what Solskjaer has done with United, and I believe the Red Devils can raise eyebrows and earn a result.
Prediction: Manchester United 1, FC Barcelona 1
Ajax Amsterdam +249
Juventus Turin +115
Draw +246
Over/Under 2.5
This Ajax team is something special. We should have realized this was a different team after they nearly beat out Bayern Munich for the top spot in their group, but everyone is a believer after Ajax sent Real Madrid out of the Champions League last month. It won’t last for long as this team is set to be picked apart in the summer transfer window, but they are still together for now.
Juventus are tired of having their heart broken in the Champions League. They shelled out a ton of money this offseason to change their fortunes, but their centerpiece may not be available for this match. Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a thigh injury during the international break, and although the club is optimistic he will play, nothing is certain.
Even without Ronaldo, Juventus have a number of solid offensive options. Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are capable of creating, while Blaise Maltuidi has shown a scoring touch and youngster Moise Kean could see the pitch too.
Frenkie De Jong has been fantastic for Ajax this season, and he has already signed a big transfer deal to move to Barcelona in the offseason. He is at the head of the Dutch club’s attack, with David Neres, Donny van de Beek, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar showing moments of brilliance too. Mathijs De Ligt is the key in defense, and he is another highly valued youngster.
Ajax reminds me of Monaco from a few seasons back. I think they have the talent to knock off Juventus, and they are a great value at this price.
Prediction: Ajax Amsterdam 2, Juventus Turin 1
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