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2019 UCL Finalists: Odds Favor Barcelona vs Ajax or Tottenham

Ryan Metivier

by Ryan Metivier in Soccer News

Updated Jan 4, 2023 · 6:37 AM PST

Barcelona's Messi
Lionel Messi leads 2019 Champions League scoring with 10 goals. By SdHb (Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
  • Leg 1 of the 2019 Champions League Semifinals begin on Tuesday, April 30th
  • Tournament favorites Barcelona will face Premier League title-chasers Liverpool
  • Surprise outfits Tottenham and Ajax pulled off impressive upsets to reach the semis

With the 2019 UEFA Champions League now entering the final stages, Barcelona have average Champions League odds of +150 to win the championship.

Liverpool are not far behind in the odds, while both Ajax and Tottenham are seen as outsiders to lift the trophy. If you’re looking for a way to grab a little extra value with one of the favorites, then a name the finalists prop may be for you.

2019 Champions League Finalists Odds

Teams Odds
Ajax & Barcelona +210
Barcelona & Tottenham +210
Ajax & Liverpool +325
Liverpool & Tottenham +325

*Odds taken 04/23/19

Barcelona backers can look to get odds of +210 no matter which team they face in the finals between Ajax or Tottenham. While Liverpool bettors, who can find average odds of +250 to win the final, can find a little more bang for their buck with odds of +325 for either opponent through this prop.

Will Messi’s English Dominance Continue?

Wednesday’s match will feature what arguably could be considered the real Champions League final between Barcelona and Liverpool. No matter who advances, either will be considered a heavy favorite to lift the trophy June 1st in Spain.

2021 CONMEBOL Copa América Odds Tracker
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Barcelona topped their Champions League Group B at 4-2-0 with 14 points. Second in that group was fellow semifinalist Tottenham with eight points. Barca won 4-2 in England, while the teams drew 1-1 in Spain.

Since, the Spanish giants advanced 5-1 on aggregate over Lyon and 4-0 over Manchester United.

Barcelona and Liverpool last met in Champions League 2007, so there is little recent head-to-head history to compare. However, Messi has consistently dominated English competition.

Messi is fourth in scoring against England’s top six clubs, despite having never played in the league.

He’s fourth in scoring against England’s top six clubs, despite having never played in the league. With two goals last match against Man U, he leads the tournament with 10 goals.

Liverpool found their way through a tricky group stage, mixed into a group alongside PSG and Napoli where they came second. They then proceeded to shock Bayern Munich 3-1, before dismantling Porto 6-1.

With Barcelona looking clear atop the La Liga standings and the Copa del Rey final not til late May, the UCL Semifinals should have their full attention.

Liverpool shocked Bayern Munich 3-1, before dismantling Porto 6-1.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are still locked in a Premier League title race with Manchester City which looks to be going down to the wire.

Spurs and Ajax Underdogs to Lift Trophy

Daring bettors could’ve been in line to make a tidy profit on either of these sides had they bet within the past few months. Tottenham were being offered at average odds of +2200 on April 5th and +8700 back on November 8th.

When it comes to Ajax, if you’d had the foresight to back the Dutch side earlier this year, they were priced at +2900 April 5th and +17000 March 4th. Way back last August they offered a return of +30000.

Needless to say, neither team was expected to progress this far, yet both have looked well-deserving.

We touched on Tottenham’s group stage result earlier. In the round of 16, they went on to defeat Dortmund 4-0, prior to a wild semifinal win against Man City where they progressed on away goals.

Ajax were second during the group stage, which included an undefeated record of 3-3-0 and two impressive draws with Bayern Munich. From there, they upset Real Madrid 5-3 in the round of 16 and Juventus 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

Like Liverpool, they too will battle to the end to claim a league title. Along with PSV, each are tied with 77 points in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Pick One Winner to Lock in Profit

The beauty of this prop for those looking for ways to increase their chances of locking in some profit, is that you basically only need to predict the winner of one semifinal tie, since all options return plus-money.

With the two perceived favorites both playing each other, there’s guaranteed to be a heavy underdog in the final. Both ties also feature relatively even matchups. So pick the one team you feel the most confident in advancing and make two bets; one on each of their potential opponents.

For me that team is Ajax. They rank in the top five in the tournament in goals, attempts and attempts on target.

They’ll also have the advantage of Spurs being shorthanded. Son Heung-min is suspended, Harry Kane is a long-term injury, and midfielder Moussa Sissoko is also a doubt. Meaning Tottenham could struggle in the home leg of the tie.

Ajax rank in the top five in the tournament in goals, attempts and attempts on target.

If Ajax can return home with a positive result for Leg 2, they’ll be in the driver’s seat to advance to the final.

Messi alone could lift Barcelona to the finals and it may well happen. But I’ll look to the better value on Liverpool, who outside of last round, I think have faced a tougher path to the semis.

Best Bet: Ajax vs Liverpool (+325)

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