Charlie Nicholas
Football Expert
Last Updated: 26/04/16 8:53pm
Charlie Nicholas has provided us with his predictions for the Champions League semi-finals.
He is expecting a tight affair in the second of the first-leg ties on Wednesday night as Atletico Madrid host Bayern Munich.
Here’s what Charlie is predicting in his Sky Bet tips.
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich
Atletico just don’t give away any goals. I think it’s 22 clean sheets in La Liga and, while I’m not a defensive strategist, I respect it and defending is an art that they’re mastering.
They’ll go out physically and get in Bayern’s faces and, even though they’re the home side, they’ll be happy to sit in and know if they can nick a goal and keep another clean sheet they’ll be in a fantastic position.
This is not a game I’m looking forward to in terms of excitement, passing and movement and the only way I think I’ll enjoy it is if Bayern can break them down.
However, I think this will be one of those games where they just choke each other out on the night.
Charlie predicts: 0-0 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Charlie’s earlier prediction….
Manchester City v Real Madrid
We’re all on tenterhooks about Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness and if he plays, it can only be bad news for Manchester City as he’s on a personal war to prove everyone wrong.
There’s also the whole Manchester thing as he returns to the city where he really came to prominence – and he’ll have been riled up by seeing Barcelona’s Luis Suarez overtake him in the scoring charts.
I know Gareth Bale scored two at the weekend and Karim Benzema has been good in good form but a lot hinges on Ronaldo’s fitness and, with no disrespect to him, I hope he does miss it because it would give City a chance here.
That would give City the belief that they can establish a good lead with Sergio Aguero’s good form against a frail and overrated Madrid defence.
Then the big question is what Manuel Pellegrini does with the three behind Aguero. David Silva and Yaya Toure, if fit, haven’t been in good form but they’re big-time players.
Kevin De Bruyne has to play and I would have said drop Silva and play Toure, but it’s looking like he’ll miss out, so it’s between Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas to provide the width.
I think both teams will score, but I just feel that this could be Manchester City’s night if Aguero can get at a rash and overly aggressive Madrid defence.
I think both he and De Bruyne will find the target in a magical night at the Etihad Stadium.
Charlie predicted: 3-1 and Aguero to score first