ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Europe Midweek

Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK looks ahead to the midweek games in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League…

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ARSENAL v ATLETICO MADRID
Tuesday, 8pm

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Arsenal have the chance to reach their first Champions League final in two decades as they host Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday with the tie locked at 1-1 from last week’s first leg in Spain.

The Gunners were eliminated by eventual champions PSG at this stage last seasons, but should be confident of going one better given their incredible home record and the fact they remain unbeaten in the competition this season.

Manchester City dropping two precious points at Everton on Monday, handing the Gunners the initiative in the Premier League title race, must also bolster confidence in the home dressing room.

Mikel Arteta’s men are now just five games away from potential greatness and a famous Premier League and European Cup double.

After a wobbly patch including defeat to City in the EFL Cup final and at the Etihad, Arsenal have returned to form by beating Newcastle and Fulham in their last two League games.

They were also the better team in Madrid a week ago and should have had the chance to win but for VAR controversially intervening in the award of a late penalty.

Atletico are experienced European campaigners but their form away from the Metropolitano does not make inspiring reading for Diego Simeone’s side.

They have lost five of their last seven on their travels and as well as being thrashed 4-0 Arsenal in the League phase slumped to defeat at both Liverpool and Tottenham.

Bukayo Saka has had an injury-disrupted second half of the season, but looked back to his best with a goal and Sumptuous assist in Saturday’s 3-0 at home to Fulham.

Arteta even had the luxury of being able to rest Saka from half-time with his team cruising.

I am backing Saka to drive Arsenal, unbeaten in their last eight clashes with La Liga opponents, to victory.

Saka to score and Arsenal to be leading at half-time pays 4.33/1 with starsports.bet.

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BAYERN MUNICH v PSG
Wednesday, 8pm

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I predicted fireworks in Paris last week and these two juggernauts certainly did not disappoint in serving up a nine-goal thriller and a Champions League classic.

With Bayern a goal down and having to go chasing the tie, I am expecting more of the same in Bavaria.

This is the sixth time the German giants have gone into the second leg of a Champions League semi-final with a first leg deficit to overturn and have gone out on all five previous occasions.

PSG had lost the last five meetings between the pair before their 5-4 triumph in Paris, but have a poor record in Munich so Vincent Kompany will certainly believe his team can prevail.

Having fancied Bayern to go all the way before the first leg I will not be deserting them now, but for punting purposes I like the Harry Kane/Khvicha Kvaratskhelia anytime goalscorer double.

Kane has netted in each of his last six Champions League games and I think Kvaratskhelia is the best player in Europe right now. The double pays 4.33/1 with starsports.bet.

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ASTON VILLA v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Thursday, 8pm

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Villa will have to come from behind if they are to keep alive their hopes of a first trophy since 1996 when they host Forest in the second leg of their Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.

Forest hold a slender 1-0 advantage thanks to Chris Wood’s penalty winner at the City Ground.

The visitors are also one of the Premier League’s most in-form teams with Monday’s 3-1 victory at Chelsea extending their unbeaten run to nine matches.

In contrast Villa are on a three-game losing run and may regret resting so many players for Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham as momentum has deserted them.

Having said that Villa’s only two European defeats this season have come away from home and the Villa supporters will do their best to whip up an intimidating atmosphere.

I think this will be another cagey affair, but am backing Forest’s strong defensive record to see them through, especially if captain Morgan Gibbs-White ca recover from a nasty facial injury in time to play.

The Tricky Trees have not conceded more than one goal since early March and have not been beaten by more than one goal in any game en route to the semis.

Forest to qualify at 8/11 with starsports.bet is my best bet of the week.

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CRYSTAL PALACE v SHAKHTAR
Thursday, 8pm

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It promises to be a night of celebration and high emotion as Crystal Palace rubber stamp their place in a first ever European final.

Oliver Glasner’s side have a comfortable 3-1 advantage from last week’s first leg in Poland and I saw little to suggest Shakhtar can turn around that deficit.

Substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen’s late goal effectively took the tie away from the visitors so Palace can play with relative freedom in front of what is sure to be a boisterous Selhurst Park crowd.

I would expect Palace to get the job done and in style. Three or more goals have been scored in six of the Eagles’ last seven games.

My build-a-bet is Palace to win, over 2.5 goals, over 7.5 corners and Jean-Philippe Mateta to score which returns 4/1 with starsports.bet.

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RECOMMENDED SELECTIONS
1️⃣ BEST BET: Nottingham Forest to qualify 1pt at 8/11 with starsports.bet
2️⃣ NEXT BEST: Arsenal to win the first half and Bukayo Saka to score 1pt at 4.33/1 with starsports.bet
🎲 LONG SHOT: Harry Kane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both to score 0.5pts at 4.33/1 with starsports.bet
📊 BUILD-A-BET: Crystal Palace to win, over 2.5 goals, over 7.5 corners and Jean-Philippe Mateta to score 1pt at 4/1 with starsports.bet
🚀 ALEX ACCA: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Freiburg, Crystal Palace 1pt at 15/2 with starsports.bet

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