Barcelona Now Favored to Win 2019 Champions League After Leg 1 Quarterfinals Win
- Messi, Saurez & Co now the frontrunners to win Champions League 2019
- Man City slip after defeat at Tottenham
- Juventus good value with second-best odds
Lionel Messi received a bloody nose in Barcelona’s victory against Manchester United .
But it was worth the pain as the Spanish giants became favorites in the Champions League odds to win outright.
The final at the Wanda Metroplitano Stadium, Madrid on June 1, 3:00pm EST.
2019 UEFA Champions League Winner Odds
Team | Odds to win 2019 UEFA Champions League |
---|---|
Barcelona | +250 |
Manchester City | +350 |
Juventus | +350 |
Liverpool | +350 |
Tottenham | +1600 |
Ajax | +3300 |
Manchester United | +4000 |
Porto | +25000 |
*Odds taken on 04/12/2019
At an average of +250, Barca moved ahead of Manchester City, who lost their quarterfinal, first-leg tie 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, April 9.
Spanish Giants Hold the Aces vs Man United
Messi failed to hit his majestic usual heights on the visit to England on Wednesday, April, 10. He was injured when he was clattered by United defender Chris Smalling. But a good value, if tough, pathway to the final is opening up.
The likelihood is that they will now move past United following their 1-0 win at Old Trafford, with the return leg at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, April 16, at 3:00pm EST.
Then, Barcelona’s semifinal opponents would probably be Liverpool.
🚑 [MD] | Lionel Messi performed the medical tests today and there is no danger.
Big relief! pic.twitter.com/gsw8fvuVEV
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) April 11, 2019
This will be no easy task.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are rated at +350 after their 2-0 first-leg defeat of Porto along with Pep Guardiola’s City – who have shifted from the favorites position with odds of +230 prior to their defeat.
Ronaldo in Stunning Form for Juventus
Juventus are also rated at +350 in average Champions League odds. They represent the best value bet of all, with Cristiano Ronaldo in devastating form in European competition.
Barcelona will play the second leg of any semifinal away from home. This would be daunting if it takes place at Liverpool’s intense and emotional stadium.
Congratulations to this week's @ChampionsLeague #POTW, @LFC's Roberto Firmino 💯 pic.twitter.com/0Q1B6ORifN
— Football Santander (@FTBSantander) April 12, 2019
But the Anfield team could then be in the final stages of a battle to win their first English league championship since 1990.
Barca Can Make UCL Main Target
The return leg of their tie against Porto is at the Dragao Stadium in Portugal on Wednesday, April 17 at 3:00pm EST.
The EPL championship will surely remain their priority even if they reach the last four.
Barcelona have an 11-point lead in La Liga and can prioritise winning their first Champions League since 2015.
Even if City recover to bypass Tottenham, Juventus will probably lie in wait
The final’s venue is familiar to Barca. They won the 2018 Copa Del Rey there with a 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla. They are undefeated in two visits to play the stadium’s tenants, Atletico Madrid.
Even if City recover to bypass Tottenham, Juventus will probably lie in wait in the last four.
Italians Won’t Collapse Against Ajax like Real Madrid
The Italians drew 1-1 at Ajax in a high-quality game on Wednesday, April, 10.
The young Dutch side stunned the competition with a 4-1 victory away against Real Madrid in the last 16 which over-turned a 2-1 first leg deficit.
Ronaldo has scored four times for Juve in last two ties
Juve will certainly not be as defensively chaotic at home against Ajax in the return meeting at the Allianz Stadium.
The superstar Ronaldo has scored four times in the last two European ties, which is why Ajax are now +2500 outsiders to win the competition.
Top #UCL scorers 🙌
RONALDO
1⃣2⃣5⃣MESSI
1⃣0⃣8⃣— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 11, 2019
Turin Club On a UCL Mission
Juve are fuelled by a need to fulfill their potential after losing two Champions League finals in the past five seasons.
It’s enough to make them good value to win the Champions League at +350.
Pick: Juventus +350