We are down to the final two rounds of the Champions League. Only four teams remain, which means our Champions League best bets roundups from here on will be extremely granular, more specific, and offer much bigger potential rewards.
To start the penultimate round of the competition, the two Spanish clubs – Real Madrid and Villarreal – will be traveling to England to the homes of Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively. Both City and Liverpool have a serious claim as the two best clubs in Europe at the moment and, understandably, start as favorites.
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But at this stage of the tournament, nothing is really set in stone. Here is our roundup of Champions League best bets that tries to account for all the possibilities this week.
Be sure to check out our Champions League computer picks page for even more Champions League betting predictions.
For more information on how to wager on soccer, check out our How to Bet on Soccer page. You can also take a look at our dedicated Champions League page for more updates.
Champions League Best Bets: Pick #1
Both Teams To Score: No (-110)
The Game: Manchester City vs Real Madrid, April 26
Real Madrid has scored 15 goals in five games across competitions since they were beaten by Barcelona in late March. Five of those came in their last two Champions League games against Chelsea, a few of which had to come when they were chasing the scoreline once again.
This has been a pattern for Madrid over the last two rounds. In the Champions League, they’ve tended to sit back in their half more often than they’ve done in the La Liga, and this has invited pressure that they’ve then had to overcome.
That approach, we think, is not going to be a very rewarding one against Manchester City, who are playing at home and thrive on bossing possession. We think this will be a cagey affair, and Real Madrid will be conservative in a bid to take this fixture deep to try to win it at home in the second leg.
Champions League Best Bets: Pick #2
Kevin De Bruyne To Assist 1+ Goals (+125)
The Game: Manchester City vs Real Madrid, April 26
More often than not, Kevin De Bruyne shows up for Manchester City in big games. The last time he played against Real Madrid in the Champions League, in the 2020 quarterfinals, it was De Bruyne’s assist and goal in the first leg that set up a 4-2 aggregate win for City.
This past weekend, he managed two assists against Watford before being taken off in the 57th minute. For the level of consistency and reliability that De Bruyne offers, we think these odds present fantastic value.
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Champions League Best Bets: Pick #3
Double Chance & Both Teams To Score: Liverpool or Draw (+120)
The Game: Liverpool vs Villarreal, April 27
Generally, this result would be more straightforward to call. On paper, there is no area of the pitch where Liverpool should not completely and utterly outplay Villarreal, especially at home.
They’ve scored six goals in their last two games, against their biggest rivals Everton and Manchester United, and have scarcely had to break a sweat in the process while picking up clean sheets in both games. But Villarreal has proven the ultimate antithesis to the big squad with big stars. Both Juventus and Bayern Munich will testify to that, having been knocked out at their hands over the last two rounds.
Does this mean they will be able to manage it a third round in a row? Possibly not. But they are unbeaten in their last five games – just as Liverpool is – and we reckon Unai Emery will be able to get a tune out of his players for this fixture, even if not a win. Liverpool’s high line will seem especially like an opportunity for his team.
Champions League Best Bets: Pick #4
Anytime Goalscorer: Sadio Mane (+120)
The Game: Liverpool vs Villarreal, April 27
By all means, it looks like Sadio Mane will be employed as a False 9 against Villarreal as he was against Manchester United. With his pace, dribbling ability and explosive movements in and around the box, we think he is going to be pivotal in Liverpool twisting Villarreal out of shape.
Invariably when that happens, Liverpool’s wide runners in Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah – coupled with the playmaking abilities of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson – create a host of chances for the players in the center of the box. We expect some plays like that to happen this week, and plenty of shots at goal from Mane.
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Odds Shark will return in a fortnight, after the new set of fixtures have been announced, for an update to the Champions League best bets as the tournament moves on to the next stage.
