2021 Champions League Semi-Finals Betting Preview

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that European soccer has been shaken to its core over the past week.

News of a proposed European Super League emerged on Sunday, April 18, with twelve of the continent’s leading clubs seemingly ready to drop everything and form a breakaway tournament.

Much to the relief of pretty much every European soccer fan, those plans appear to have crumbled.

Funnily enough, three of the four Champions League semi-finalists were involved in the talks. PSG wasn’t included, but Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid were all part of the movement, before performing a U-turn.

Anyway, let’s turn our attention back to the Champions League and preview the semi-finals.

In this UCL semi-final betting preview, I discuss the draw, look at the latest winner odds, and share my Champions League semi-finals predictions.

Real Madrid welcomes Chelsea to Spain on Tuesday, April 27, before PSG and Man City meet for the first leg of their tie-on Wednesday, April 28. The reverse fixtures will take place the following week.

As you can see, we have two tasty matchups to look forward to.

We all know that Chelsea has made vast improvements under Thomas Tuchel, although overcoming 13-time UCL champion Real Madrid won’t be easy.

In the other semi-final, PSG will be desperate to go one better and make amends for last season’s final loss to Bayern Munich.

However, Pep Guardiola’s Man City stands in the Parisians way.

Before we get to my Champions League semi-final predictions, let’s check in with the top-rated online sportsbooks and view the latest UCL winner odds for 2021.

Here are the current 2021 Champions League winner odds.

Before the quarter-finals, Man City was price at 3.00 to win the tournament. But following the semi-final draw, City’s odds have dropped further.

Guardiola’s side is now the clear favorite to go all the way, while there is little to separate PSG, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

So, can Man City complete the job? Or will we see a different winner?

Here are my UCL predictions for both semi-finals, along with the odds for each team to qualify for the final.

Believe it or not, Real Madrid and Chelsea have never previously faced each other in a competitive match.

Both clubs have been involved in plenty of memorable European clashes over the years, but they have never crossed paths – until now.

Los Blancos made light work of Atalanta (4-1) before sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool in the previous round. After scoring three goals on home soil, Zinedine Zidane’s men produced a solid defensive display to keep the Reds quiet at Anfield.

Defensive leader Sergio Ramos looks set to miss the first leg in Madrid, having been sidelined through injury for almost a month. That will obviously be a big blow for the Spanish side.

That said, Real Madrid is enjoying a lengthy unbeaten run in all competitions at the moment and will be confident of overcoming Chelsea.

Chelsea may head into the semi-finals as the bookies’ outsider, but I expect the Londoners causing Zidane’s team plenty of problems.

Since Tuchel’s arrival, the Blues have taken their game to another level. The players have implemented the German’s technical philosophy without any issues – and Chelsea now looks like one of the most well-organized teams in Europe.

With Mason Mount dominating the midfield and Kai Havertz beginning to find his feet, it feels as though Chelsea can compete with anyone right now.

In fact, the Blues knocked Man City out of the FA Cup last weekend, so I can see them getting the better of Real Madrid over two legs.

Let’s face it – everyone wanted to see PSG and Man City go head-to-head.

Sure, a lot of soccer fans were hoping to see the two powerhouses face off in the final. But with two of the most exciting teams on the planet meeting in the semi-finals, we can’t really complain, can we?

The Parisians gained their revenge over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, advancing on away goals at the expense of the defending champion.

Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace in the first leg, taking his tally to eight goals in nine UCL appearances this term.

If PSG is to overcome Man City, Mbappe will need to maintain his rampant goalscoring form.

Following a slow start under Mauricio Pochettino, the Parisians appear to have found their groove in recent weeks. Still, they have yet to face a side of City’s strength this season.

Man City pieced together a phenomenal 15-match winning streak in the Premier League between December and March, all but securing the title in the process. Guardiola’s men have suffered a couple of iffy results since then, yet they are still on course to win the EPL.

The team’s 2020/21 Champions League campaign has been nothing short of ruthless up to now. The Cityzens have won nine of their ten UCL games this season, with a goalless draw coming against Porto during the group stage.

Borussia Dortmund gave Guardiola’s men a run for their money in the quarter-finals, but the English side advance 4-2 on aggregate.

Having made light work of all their UCL opponents this term, I’m backing City to edge out PSG and reach the final.

Well, there you have it!

I’m backing Chelsea to knock out Real Madrid and Manchester City to dispatch PSG – setting up an all-English final.

A few months ago, Chelsea wasn’t anywhere near the bookies’ favorites to lift the trophy. But Tuchel has transformed the team – and the Blues now look ready to get the better of Los Blancos.

Meanwhile, PSG’s clash with Man City is destined to be a blockbuster. The Parisians won’t be afraid to attack City, but I’m confident that Guardiola’s side will get the job done.

With guys likes Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski no longer in the competition, the race for the UCL Golden Boot looks set to go down to the wire.

If you’re interested in betting on the top UCL goalscorer, check out the post below.

Betting on the 2021 Champions League Top Goalscorer

As we approach the business end of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League campaign, the race for the UCL Golden Boot is heating up. Erling Haaland currently leads the way in the goalscoring charts, with Kylian Mbappe hot on his heels. There are also a few other...

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