The Champions League has reached the semi-final stages, with the first legs of the two last four games taking place over the next two nights. Here are more details on those massive clashes:
Tuesday
Tottenham v Ajax (Kick-off 8 PM)
Two of the Champions League surprise-packages meet as Tottenham host Ajax at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham made it through to the semi-finals of the competition by seeing off Manchester City on away goals in a pulsating quarter-final tie. The team from north London had also beaten Dortmund in the round of 16.
Spurs head into this clash on the back of three defeats in their last four games in all competitions. However, the team from north London has lost just once in Champions League matches, having won three straight games prior to a 4-3 defeat at City in the last round. Tottenham have a good recent home record in the Champions League, winning their last four European games on home soil.
One major negative for Mauricio Pochettino’s team is that they are without star striker Harry Kane and his back-up Heung-Min Son, due to injury and suspension respectively. Despite the major absentees, Spurs are still the favourites to win this clash.
Ajax have shocked Europe with their brilliant displays in the Champions League this season. The Dutch team has eliminated European giants Real Madrid and Juventus in the last two rounds.
The team from the Dutch capital have lost just once in their last 18 Champions League games, which was a 2-1 home defeat against then-reigning European champions Real Madrid.
Ajax are unbeaten in nine away games in the Champions League, having won their last three matches on their travels at AEK Athens, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Wednesday
Barcelona v Liverpool (Kick-off 8 PM)
On Wednesday night, La Liga champions Barcelona host high-flying Premier League outfit Liverpool at the Nou Camp, in a game that promises so much.
Barcelona have already sealed the domestic title and are still in contention for a treble this season. The Catalan giants eliminated Liverpool’s north west rivals Manchester United in the last round with ease.
Ernesto Valverde’s team are unbeaten in ten Champions League games, having recorded seven wins in the process. The Blaugrana have also won their last three European matches while keeping clean sheets in three of their last four outings in the Champions League.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 31 Champions League games at the Nou Camp, recording 28 wins and three draws. They have also scored at least two goals in nine of their last ten home games in the competition.
Liverpool will put their chase for the Premier League title to one side for a night. The Reds enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 aggregate win over Porto in the quarter-finals. Jurgen Klopp’s team has now won their last three matches in the Champions League.
The Merseysider’s have now won their last two away games in the Champions League, having previously suffered four straight defeats on their travels in Europe’s elite competition. A trip to the Nou Camp may well test the visitors improving away record in the Champions League.
Who will win the Champions League semi-final first legs?
