UCL Soccer: Sean Miller says get this parlay started - with goals
The UEFA Champions League is back, with Dortmund hosting Tottenham at 3 p.m. (Galavision and Fubo.tv), while Real Madrid will welcome Ajax to the Bernebau, also at 3 p.m. (TNT and Fubo.tv).
An early goal for the Hotspurs should all but end the tie and send the Premier League team into the quarterfinals, as they take a 3-0 advantage into the second leg. Just one goal for Tottenham would mean Dortmund world need to score five to advance, due to the away goals rule. But if Dortmund can get an early goal or two, it would make the second half interesting.
Real Madrid comes into Tuesday’s match reeling from two Clasico home losses in four days. Barcelona knocked Madrid out of the Copa Del Rey Wednesday with a 3-0 win, then won 1-0 Saturday in La Liga play. The only trophy left for the three-time defending Champions League winners is that very competition.
While Real Madrid leads 2-1 on aggregate after a win in Amsterdam, an early goal from Ajax could change the whole complexion of the tie. Sergio Ramos will sit out the match after his yellow card in the first leg.
(Home teams always listed first)
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Borussia Dortmund (-105) vs. Tottenham (+260), draw (+275)
Real Madrid (-154) vs. Ajax (+375), draw (+333)
Tottenham decided over the last week to sit out another trophy hunt, as the Spurs have lost twice and just scraped a point in the North London Derby Saturday as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang missed his last minute penalty for Arsenal. But there is no way the Spurs could bottle a 3-0 lead, is there?
An early goal, or any goal, would settle the nerves a bit, but Dortmund will come out flying. The German side has thrown away a big lead in he Bundesliga to Bayern Munich, with the two sides now even on points (54). Despite just one win in six, Dortmund has a chance to reignite its season with an epic comeback Tuesday.
In the other contest, Real Madrid has gotten results lately (for the most part) except against Barcelona (0-2-1 in last month). Los Merengues have wins over Atletico Madrid and Ajax n the last month, both on the road, and will look to continue this ridiculous run in the Champions League.
The loss of Ramos could be an issue for Real Madrid, who looked shaky at times against Ajax in the first leg. Expect goals in this contest, with Ajax looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit. A reverse 2-1 scoreline would send the tie to extra time and possibly penalties.
The Picks Both teams to score Dortmund/Tottenham Yes (-188) and both teams to score Real Madrid/ Ajax Yes (-225), two team parlay for odds of +121.