If you’re anything like myself, you’ve probably just watched the highlights from Bayern v Barca for the umpteenth time. What a game. What a team!
If you managed to listen to the BetVictor Podcast this week, myself and Sam Boswell touched on the ruthlessness of the German side. I’m pretty sure the good folks at the Oxford English Dictionary are working hard to factor Bayern into their description of the word. So, can they keep it going, or have they peaked too early? We’ll find out soon enough.
As if that wasn’t enough to blow your mind, we witnessed the biggest upset in Europe’s elite competition this season when Lyon ended Manchester City’s hopes with a 3-1 quarter final win. Sound familiar, City fans?
We have all of that to look back on, plus we take a look at who could be next in the Barcelona hotseat.
Let’s have a look at the markets, shall we?
All Change at Barca
Bayern Munich’s destruction of Barcelona on Friday night signalled the end of an era at the Nou Camp. Since then, Pique and Messi have both publicly slated the club.
On Sunday, news broke that Messi is looking to get out of the Catalan giants. Inter Milan (6/4) head the market whilst Manchester City are 5/2 to land his signature.
Meanwhile, the market for who will be the next Barcelona manager is starting to take shape. Ronald Koeman is currently favourite (1/2) with Mauricio Pochettino (5/1) his nearest market rival. With Poch a self-confessed Espanyol fan, he has distanced himself from the job a few times in the past.
Given that Barca like to hire ex-Barca types, it means Koeman is a likely contender. You can say the same for Xavi as well. He can be backed at 12/1.
Bayern Shorten for Euro Glory
With City, Barca, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus all falling by the wayside since the Champions League return, it has seemingly paved the way for either Bayern or PSG to lift the trophy. Bayern are now 1/2 (from 3/1) and PSG second in the market (11/4 from 4/1).
It’s likely these two will feature in the final, however, these one legged ties have shown that over 90 minutes anything can happen. And the punters don’t disagree. RB Leipzig have been extremely popular (9/1) and so have Lyon (14/1 from 40/1).
The United/Sancho Saga Continues
Manchester United exited the Europa League last night in yet another semi-final flop. United had plenty of chances, as they did previously against Copenhagen, but couldn’t find a second goal. Ultimately Sevilla were the more incisive and they are now (5/6) to land yet another Europa League trophy.
A lot of the discusssion post match in the BT Sports studio surrounded Jordan Sancho. In what is the transfer saga of the summer, it was reported last week that the Dortmund wonderkid was to remain in Germany. No one knows for sure. Sancho is currently 4/6 to be at Old Trafford next season.
