The UEFA Champions League quarter finals kicked off in style on Tuesday with Tottenham Hotspur claiming a surprise 1-0 win over tournament favourites, Manchester City in North London. Elsewhere, Liverpool kept up their pursuit of a sixth European crown with a routine 2-0 win against FC Porto at Anfield.
Two more games take place on Wednesday with four real European heavyweights in action. Manchester United host Barcelona at Old Trafford whilst Juventus travel to Ajax, slayers of holders, Real Madrid.
Incredibly, both of Wednesday’s fixtures are repeats of multiple European finals. Ajax defeated Juventus in the 1973 final, claiming a third successive European crown. The Italians then avenged that defeat to claim a second European Cup win of their own in 1996.
Both finals between Barcelona and Manchester United ended in a win for Barcelona. The Lionel Messi-inspired Spaniards defeat Manchester United in both 2009 and 2011.
Here at InterBet.com we preview both matches, offering team news, betting tips and the latest match odds.
Manchester United vs Barcelona
Barcelona were installed as the tournament favourites after Manchester City’s shock defeat to Spurs on Tuesday and the Red Devils will have their work cut out in trying to progress to the last four.
Wednesday’s visitors will arrive at Old Trafford full of confidence after claiming a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend. That win, a potential Spanish title decider, has moved Barcelona eleven points clear at the La Liga summit. Their commanding lead in La Liga will afford Barcelona the luxury of keeping their stars fit and fresh for the Champions League.
Whilst Barcelona were expected to make it to the latter stages of the competition, Wednesday’s hosts, Manchester United, are only here courtesy of a famous win away at Paris Saint Germain in the previous round. The Red Devils lost 2-0 at Old Trafford before earning a 3-1 win in Paris in the second leg. With a dauting trip to the Nou Camp looming, Manchester United cannot afford to lose at home again.
Barcelona have beaten Manchester United in their two most recent meetings; the 2009 and 2011 finals but incredibly, they have never beaten them at Old Trafford. The last time the sides met at Old Trafford, a Paul Scholes stunner gave the home side a 1-0 win, taking them into the 2007/08 final.
In the past twenty seasons Manchester United and Barcelona have met on six previous occasions. Each time, one of these two giants has gone on to win the Champions League.
In-form Messi
Inevitably, Lionel Messi will be the key man for Barcelona. If Manchester United are to claim another famous win over Barcelona then they will have to keep Messi quiet. Given Messi’s current form that is certainly easier said than done.
Messi is in arguably the best form of his Barcelona career and has already amassed 43 goals in 40 games this season. The Argentinian is also the joint-highest scorer in this season’s Champions League. His eight-goal haul is matched only by Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski.
Messi is 7/10 score at any time at Old Trafford. Alternatively, he is 5/2 to score first or 4/1 to score two or more.
Will Rashford start?
Marcus Rashford fired the winning goal in Manchester United’s famous comeback win over PSG and the England international looks set to win his battle to be fit in time to start on Wednesday. Rashford missed their recent Premier League win over Watford with an ankle injury but United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has hinted that he’ll play from the start.
One player that will start at Old Trafford on Wednesday is Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian scored twice in the win over PSG and will once again lead the line for the Red Devils. If United are to have any hope of progressing they will need Lukaku on form. You can back the Belgian powerhouse to score first on Wednesday at 11/2 or 17/10 to score at any time.
Match Odds
Manchester United – 57/20
Draw – 12/5
Barcelona – 23/25
To Qualify
Manchester United – 29/10
Barcelona – 1/4
Ajax vs Juventus
The other game taking place in the Champions League on Wednesday will see Real Madrid’s conquerors, Ajax, host Juventus in Amsterdam.
Ajax have been the surprise package in this season’s competition, claiming a famous win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, ending the Spanish side’s three-year reign as champions. Next up for Ajax is the equally-dauting task of taking on Italian giants, Juventus.
Juventus look set to win the Serie A title for an eighth consecutive season but the Turin giants continue to underachieve in Europe. Not since defeating Ajax in 1996 have Juventus won European football’s top prize. Many people saw the summer capture of Cristiano Ronaldo as the missing piece of the Juventus jigsaw. The five-time Champions League winner could prove the difference in this tie.
Ronaldo returns
Ronaldo fired in a hat-trick in the last round, helping Juventus to overcome a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Atletico Madrid. However, the Portuguese superstar has not played for Juventus since. Their talisman was injured on international duty but will start against Ajax.
Despite playing away from home, Juventus are tipped to win on Wednesday. Whilst they have a squad packed with elite level players, Ronaldo is undoubtedly the star of this Juve team. You can back their talisman at 11/10 to score at any time in Amsterdam whilst he is 10/3 to score first.
Match odds
Ajax – 9/5
Draw – 21/10
Juventus – 6/4
To Qualify
Ajax – 2/1
Juventus – 17/50