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Champions League Semi-Finals: What you need to know

Jamie Pacheco
28 April 2019

Van Dijk (left) is arguably the player Liverpool can least afford to lose.

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We're down to the final four and Jamie Pacheco tells you how they got here, who their man man is and what bet involving them is worth checking out...

"There they never really gave Porto a chance, winning 2-0 at home and 4-1 away.This is by far their biggest test to date up against Barcelona but unlike Messi and co, they’ve played do-or-die matches in Europe already this season.I have a feeling that the Premier League title is going to escape them but they’ve got every chance of winning this competition and I’m pretty sure their fans will settle for that."

Barcelona - Narrow first leg advantage likely

Odds to win: 6/4

Route to the semis

With question marks over plenty of the usual suspects going into this season, they were very much the obvious bet if you wanted the archetypal 'good run for your money' in light of the fact they were a settled squad under a manager who had the backing of the dressing room.

They made light work of being in Group B, winning four from six and scoring 14 goals in the process. Their 0-0 away at Lyon in the Last 16 was a bit of a surprise from a side with so much attacking talent but it was business as usual when they demolished them 5-1 in the second leg. Man Utd weren't much more of a challenge and they promptly won that 4-0 on aggregate.

If anything, the fact they haven't really been put under pressure so far might actually count against them, but that's just splitting hairs.

Key man: Lionel Messi

If we need to tell you why Messi (below) is their key man here, then you haven't been watching much football for the past decade. But he's been even more devastating than usual this season, racking up 10 goals.

Can the little Genius come up with the goods at the business end of the competition?

Tip: Back Barcelona to beat Liverpool 2-1 @ 7/1

Liverpool - Reds can win it

Odds to win: 23/10

Route to the semis

Liverpool were my pre-tournament tip to win the Champions League back in August and I haven't seen anything to think they can't deliver from this position, Barcelona or no Barcelona.

There have been some nervy moments up to now, none more so than when needing to beat Napoli at Anfield just to go through into the Last 16. But they negotiated that challenge well thanks to a 1-0 win, worked out that 0-0 at home to Bayern was a good result and won 3-1 convincingly in Munich to secure their place in the Quarters.

There they never really gave Porto a chance, winning 2-0 at home and 4-1 away.

This is by far their biggest test to date up against Barcelona but unlike Messi and co, they've played do-or-die matches in Europe already this season.

I have a feeling that the Premier League title is going to escape them but they've got every chance of winning this competition and I'm pretty sure their fans will settle for that.

Key man: Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool's famed forward trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane (below) will almost certainly score at least one goal between them before the tournament is up but the most important player in their ranks is the big Dutchman.

He's the one who's transformed them from attack-minded mavericks into one of the toughest teams in Europe to beat with his unique brand of perfect positioning, leadership of the back five and composure on the ball, not to mention contributing with the odd goal.

Tip: Back Liverpool to win the Champions League @ 23/10

Ajax - Dutch side can score in London

Odds to win: 4/1

Route to the semis

Ajax got the better of Benfica in Group E, collecting 12 points to finish two behind Bayern Munich. It all looked over when they lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid but they then sprung a mighty upset when beating the winners of the last three editions 4-1 in Madrid.

They were far from done. 0-0 at home to Juventus was a result that gave them a fighting chance for the second leg but few expected them to go through, let alone actually beat Cristiano Ronaldo and his mates in Turin. But they did, winning 2-1.

They've exceeded all expectations so far and have embraced the old Ajax values of fielding young players and playing a brand of open football. But have they run their race?

Key Player: Dusan Tadic

We all knew the Serbian playmaker was a talented footballer but few of us expected him to have racked up nine goals in the competition this year (including two rounds of pre-qualifiers), which contributed to his remarkable tally of 32 goals for the season in all competitions, including internationals.

His importance goes beyond what he can do with that magical left foot. Among so many young players, the 30 year-old provides priceless experience and they'll certainly need it.

Tip: 'Yes' on both teams to score @ 3/5

Tottenham - Entertaining first leg in store

Odds to win: 4/1

Route to semis

None of the last four have dodged more bullets to get to this stage than Spurs. Late goals from Christian Eriksen (below) and Lucas Moura against Inter (1-0) and Barcelona (1-1) respectively saw them through to the Last 16 where for once they had a comfortable time, beating Dortmund convincingly.

They followed that up with a superb 1-0 win at home to Man City and in what surely must be a contender for Champions League game of the season, secured a VAR-assisted 4-3 loss at the Etihad, which was enough to send them through.

They're now up against arguably the weaker of the four semi-finalists but will have to carry on fighting without the injured Harry Kane.

Key Player: Christian Eriksen

With Harry Kane absent through injury and Son suspended for the first leg, Tottenham will have to revise their gameplan. But one thing remains the same: the passing, imagination and creativity of Christian Eriksen is of paramount importance to everything Spurs do in attack. They may need a goal or two from him as well if they're going to make the final, or better.

Tip: Tottenham to win + 2.5 goals in the First Leg @ 11/4