Champions League semi-final previews with Sporting Index

With the guarantee of an English team in the Champions League Final, interest in this competition has never been greater. Milan and Chelsea are hot favourites to make it to Istanbul, but the underdogs have the advantage of playing the second legs at home. If you’re tempted to have a bet on any of the games, check out Sporting Index's spread betting markets for an interesting alternative to your usual punting. They offer a number of markets on each match as well as a £200 per goal football bet to all new clients (details below). Here’s what their European Football Market Maker had to say about both matches:

AC Milan v PSV
It’s difficult to see anything other than a Milan victory at the San Siro, despite the Italian side’s erratic domestic form. The recent shock defeat at Siena was followed by an unconvincing home win against struggling Chievo, so their confidence seems to have taken a knock. Of more concern is the doubt about Pirlo’s fitness, he’s their major creative influence and his absence would be a big boost to PSV. Nesta is suspended, Stam could be out and similarly Gattuso is rated as doubtful, but as a defensive midfielder he would play a more significant role in the second leg.

As for PSV, they’re a much stronger proposition at home and weren’t convincing away to Lyon in the last round. Realistically, the best they can hope for is a draw. They are a well organised team and get a lot of joy from the dead ball delivery of Van Bommel. He is already on a yellow card, so a booking at the San Siro would be a disaster for the Dutch side. Their Brazilian keeper Gomes looks a bit dodgy to me, but as a team they are full of confidence and are odds-on to do the domestic league and cup double. All in all though, the Champions League Semi-Final is a much higher standard than the Dutch league and I fancy Milan to win by a margin of 1.1 to 1.3 goals.

Chelsea v Liverpool
Although Chelsea have won all three meetings between these clubs this season, each match has been won by only a single goal advantage. I think Liverpool have a real chance if they can score at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are not playing particularly well at the moment, and they do leak goals in the Champions League. The expected absence of Robben is of course a blow for the Blues, especially when you consider that Liverpool have Alonso and Cisse returning to full fitness at just the right time.

Man for man, Chelsea have the superior team and will obviously be favourites for the first leg, but the ‘derby’ atmosphere of this all-English tie may be an advantage to the Red underdogs. They will need to produce another exceptional team performance if they are to keep Chelsea’s direct, attacking style at bay. Liverpool, however, have been plagued by inconsistency all season so you cannot rule out a comfortable win for the Blues. Personally I fancy Chelsea to win the first leg, but an away goal for the visitors should leave things nicely in the balance for a classic at Anfield.

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