Sports preview & £200 in free bets by Sporting Index spread betting

Impressive performances from both English sides last week were slightly spoiled by their failure to keep clean sheets. So, with at least three of the four second leg ties seemingly still up for grabs, it’s an exciting and potentially lucrative week for punters. If you’re thinking about having a bet on the action, remember that spread betting bookies Sporting Index are offering a £200 per goal football bet to all new clients (details below). With that in mind, we asked their Senior European Football Market Maker for some words of wisdom:

“Bayern are facing a huge task. The late Ballack penalty has given them some hope, but they will find it very difficult to break down a Chelsea side who soak up pressure and counter attack effectively away from home. The likely return of Makaay should give Bayern a greater attacking threat and with an abundance of experience and quality, you can never discount the German side. However, I fancy Chelsea to limit their chances, particularly with Makelele so effective in the holding role.

“The return leg of the Milan derby seems to be a more clear cut affair. With a two goal advantage Milan are clear favourites to progress. Like Chelsea, they are a strong counter attacking side, so expect them to sit back and use Shevchenko’s pace to hit Inter on the break. Home advantage is negligible for Inter and with Adriano likely to be missing again Milan will be too strong for them. I fully expect Milan to make the Semi-Finals where they should make light work of either PSV or Lyon en route to the Final.

“The PSV versus Lyon tie is finely poised. PSV were slightly fortunate to nick an away goal, but their experience and home advantage now make them favourites to go through. Lyon controlled the first leg but their failure to take chances may have cost them a place in the last four. Both teams play with similar styles; they are technically competent, fit and physical sides. However, Lyon will have to chase the game and this won’t suit their counter attacking style. With Van Bommel and Cocu in fine form for the home side, they should be able to limit Lyon’s less than clinical attacking players to a few chances.

“Liverpool’s trip to Turin will be of most interest to the neutrals because this tie is far from over, despite the Reds’ excellent result at Anfield. It was a massive blow for them to concede a goal to Juventus, particularly having dominated the Italians until half time. If they’d kept a clean sheet I would be predicting an all English Semi-Final. However, as things stand Juve are now slight favourites to go through. With home advantage and plenty of experience at this stage of the competition they should be capable of grabbing the vital goal and then shutting out the visitors. Liverpool will need to do a lot of attacking in order to take the pressure off the defence and must produce a monumental team effort in order to shut out the ‘Old Lady of Turin’. With Gerrard now doubtful for the second leg and Alonso lacking match fitness, the Reds will struggle to dictate the pace of the game. So, if I was having a punt on this one, I’d back the Italians to go through.”

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JustBookies.com has spoken to Sporting Index's chief football trader for the low-down on this week's Champions League action.