Real Madrid is looking to achieve another record. Los Blancos have won three of the last four Champions League titles and have a great chance to make it four of their last five. They are probably considered the favorite at this point after dismantling Juventus in the first leg of their Quarterfinal tie earlier this week. Juventus has a massive task ahead of it if the club is going to somehow find a way to advance to the semifinals after losing 3-0 in Turin.
Don't miss the Champions League action from Santiago Bernabeu at 2:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on FS1.
Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Juventus +395
Real Madrid -172
Draw +311
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
It’s never easy for oddsmakers to set a line in this situation. Real Madrid is a massive favorite to advance, but the question is what tactics they will use at home with such a commanding lead. Real may decide to play its typical brand of football and push forward at all times, or they may play more conservatively given the situation. Additionally, they will not look to push forward if down a goal late, further adding another variable into the equation.
First Leg
Juventus knew it needed a favorable result at home if it had any real chance of getting past nemesis Real Madrid. However, Cristiano Ronaldo struck early to put the home side on the back foot and Real never looked back after that.
Ronaldo beat Gianluigi Buffon in the third minute to get the ball rolling. He connected on a one touch after a lovely run from Isco to completely unravel Juventus’ plans early on. He continued to apply pressure throughout the rest of the first half, and then gave us one of the best goals of his career in the second half.
After a miscommunication between Buffon and one of his defenders, there was chaos at the back for Juventus. Buffon did well to deny a goal from Isco, but then a cross back into the box from Dani Carvajal led to some CR7 magic. Ronaldo leapt into the air and scored one of the most beautiful bicycle kick goals you will ever see. The goal was so magnificent that even the home crowd was standing and applauding what they had just witnessed. Ronaldo followed that up by setting up Marcelo for a third goal shortly afterwards, making Real’s task simple heading into this match.
Injuries to Watch
Both players will be without key players for the second leg of this match.
Sergio Ramos picked up another yellow card early on in the second half and will miss this match because of yellow card accumulation. That will stretch the team at the back, as fellow center back Nacho Fernandez continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Unfortunately for Juventus, the club is unlikely to take advantage of it. They will be without their star forward Paulo Dybala after he picked up two yellows in the first leg against Real and was subsequently sent off. The club will also not have Federico Bernardeschi available and center back Andrea Barzagli is considered questionable.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Real Madrid can be picked apart at the back. Clubs have been able to do that against them in La Liga for most of the year, and not having Ramos is certainly going to hurt. He is the glue that holds the team together and the back line will have even more question marks without his leadership.
Although Juventus will be without Dybala, the club still has former Real men Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain to take advantage. They will be able to have more success, while Real will find the back of the net too. That makes the draw worth betting at this price.
Champions League Odds: Real Madrid 1, Juventus 1
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