Live on ITV1 & Skysports 2: Weds 19.45: Barcelona are 3/4 (BetVictor) to beat AC Milan in the Champions League and Messi can strike.
Barcelona are just 2/9 with Boylesports to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of last eight opponents AC Milan and a first leg success for the holders is also expected by bookies, BetVictor rating Pep Guardiola’s charges at 3/4 to come out on top in the San Siro.
It’s easy to see why, given that the Catalans club defeated the Rossoneri 3-2 in the group stage of this year’s competition but AC Milan have impressed in their other home fixtures, winning them all ‘to nil’ and hammering Arsenal 4-0 in the last round, so they are likely to make life difficult for Barca.
Furthermore, Massimiliano Allegri’s side secured a draw in the Camp Nou earlier this season and they’re as high as 3/1 (bet365) to repeat the feat on their own patch here.
Nevertheless, it’s perhaps prudent for punters to steer clear of the match betting, focusing their attention instead, on goals, especially as the two sides shared nine in two group meetings and the hosts are without influential defender Thiago Silva.
One way to pocket a profit could be to back a match tally of four or more goals at 9/5 courtesy of Sportingbet, alternatively Lionel Messi is 5/6 (Stan James) to find the net and 3/1 with Blue Square to break the deadlock.
In the evening’s other match, Marseille’s terrible form means that opponents Bayern Munich are Ladbrokes’ 10/11 favourites to pick up a first leg advantage in the Stade Velodrome but again it’s worth considering a goal-related flutter in France, where the prolific Mario Gomez is 5/4 via Betfred to get on the scoresheet at some point.
Recommended Bets:
Double on Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez to score at any time – 13/5 (BetVictor)
Compare all Champions League odds and bet at the best price.
