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Michael Owen: Penalties for Manchester United but City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich should progress in Europe

PREDICTIONS: The former England striker and BetVictor brand ambassador looks ahead to this week's FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League and Premier League games

Tuesday 12 April 2016 08:18 BST

Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring against West Ham (Getty)

Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup semi-final places up for grabs midweek and BetVictor brand ambassador Michael Owen once again shared his thoughts ahead of these vital Cup clashes.

FA Cup semi-final

West Ham vs Manchester United

Wembley at stake and an extremely difficult game to predict; nothing could separate the sides at Old Trafford and I think this might be going all the way to extra-time and penalties! United are unbeaten in their last 11 competitive games with the Irons although their last defeat to West Ham came at the same stage of the League Cup at the Boleyn Ground back in November 2010.

Michael’s recommendation: game to finish 1-1 after 90 minutes at 6/1

United haven't lost to West Ham in their last 11 competitive matches (Getty)

Champions League

Manchester City vs PSG

City have never won a home game in the knock out stages of the Champions League, but if they beat the French Champions at the Etihad they are through to the last four of the competition courtesy of their 2-2 draw in France. PSG have been knocked out at the quarter final stage of the competition in the last three seasons and I think that second away goal in Paris is the key.

Michael’s recommendation: City to lead at half-time and the game to finish as a draw in 90 minutes at 15/1

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Show all 22

1/22PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Kevin Trapp - 5 out of 10

He will be disappointed that he did not stand up to De Bruyne for longer and smother himself on the shot. Three efforts on target and two goals conceded does not make pretty reading.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Serge Aurier - 5 out of 10

On a night of dreadful defending, his hopeless stumble to the floor when met with a tame cross from Sagna was the nadir.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Thiago Silva – 5 out of 10

He should share the blame for Fernandinho’s equaliser with Aurier, so slow he was to react. Poorly marshalled a defence that was, at times, truly shambolic.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

David Luiz – 6 out of 10

His early yellow card had him on the back foot from the off but he recovered relatively well, putting in one of his less chaotic displays.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Maxwell – 6 out of 10

Neat in his passing but offered little forward momentum when his side had the ball. Defensively, the best of a bad bunch.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Adrien Rabiot – 7 out of 10

Alert to pounce on Hart’s parry and turn in PSG’s second but was robbed too easily by Fernando for the City’s first.

2016 Getty Images

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Thiago Motta – 7 out of 10

Gradually began to get a handle on things as the game went on but will be disappointed that City’s best moves originated from the middle of the park.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Blaise Matuidi – 5 out of 10

Beaten in the air too often, did not impose himself in the midfield battle. A disappointment and will miss the second leg through suspension.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Angel Di María – 6 out of 10

Failed to sparkle in the same way he did against Chelsea but, through several key passes, showed glimpses of his ability.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 5 out of 10

Hart took the plaudits for his penalty save but in truth, it was a poor spot-kick. The Swede was then fortunate to benefit from Fernando’s daydreaming.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Edinson Cavani – 7 out of 10

The power on one of his header’s was too much for Hart to handle and ultimately set up Rabiot’s goal, though it was another night where he could’ve given more.

2016 Getty Images

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Joe Hart – 7 out of 10

Stared down Ibrahimovic, which is no mean feat, before denying him from 12 yards out but undid much of his good work by not giving Fernando a shout before the equaliser.

Getty

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Bacary Sagna – 5 out of 10

A combination of clumsiness and hesitation led to him conceding the early penalty and he looked rocked from there on, almost scoring an own goal after the break, but at least had a hand in Fernandinho’s goal.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Nicolas Otamendi – 5 out of 10

Marginally better than his defensive partner but even so, it was his mis-step which led to the corner Rabiot scored from.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Eliaquim Mangala – 5 out of 10

Perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty in the opening minutes, his composure did not recover from there on.

2016 Getty Images

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Gael Clichy – 7 out of 10

The most competent member of City’s defence, if only because he was the one player to not make a glaring error.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Fernando – 3 out of 10

He had looked quite composed in the first half and it was his tackle that set the move leading to De Bruyne’s goal in motion but after his blunder, the head went out the window with City’s lead.

2016 Getty Images

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Fernandinho – 8 out of 10

Bundled an equaliser in after setting up De Bruyne’s opener and, all told, put in the most rounded performance of the night.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Jesus Navas – 6 out of 10

His mini-renaissance continues but it’s a muted one. Although he’s improved markedly, will need to start making more of an impact if he is to be kept on.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

David Silva – 6 out of 10

Failed to impose himself on the match and exert the kind of influence he is capable of. Disappointing.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Kevin de Bruyne – 8 out of 10

Accused in the past of being flat-track bully, he showed tonight he can be a player for the big occasion. A brilliant finish for his goal.

PSG vs Manchester City player ratings

Sergio Aguero – 6 out of 10

A livewire early on, he seemed to relish the opportunity to perform on this elite stage, but faded as the Ligue 1 side’s backline got to grips with him.

Real Madrid vs Wolfsburg

Only twice in 15 previous attempts have sides been able to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in the Champions League but I think my old club can do it in the Bernabeu; the Whites have reached the last four of the competition for the last five seasons and I think they have enough goals in their locker to overwhelm the Germans.

Real Madridhave enough goals in them to beat Wolfsburg (Getty)

The crowd may have to be patient, however, given Real’s last nine CL goals have all been scored in the second half and they cannot afford to concede the first goal; it might even go all the way to extra time and possibly beyond but I expect the Spanish giants to be in the draw for the semi-final.

Michael’s recommendation: Real Madrid to qualify at 20/21

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

The first leg in the Nou Camp produced ten cards (nine yellows) and I expect this game to be every bit as feisty; Atletico, indeed, have picked up five red cards in their last five competitive games against Barca, who haven’t received one, and it could easily become a game to watch from behind the sofa! I think Barca will get through but there may be a price to pay.

Michael’s recommendation: Red card in the 90 minutes at Evens

Fernando Torres was shown a red card against Barcelona in the first leg (Getty)

Benfica vs Bayern

Benfica have scored in all four of their CL home games this season although I can’t see them overturning the 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Munich; Bayern haven’t won in their last six CL away games in the knockout stages but this game sets up perfectly for them with the Lisbon outfit having to come out and throw bodies forward unless they grab an early goal.

Michael’s recommendation: Bayern to win at 7/10

Europa League

Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund

Despite Liverpool’s excellent draw in Germany this quarter-final is still in the balance although it should be noted that only once in twelve previous European ties have Liverpool failed to proceed when they have drawn the first leg on the road. I’m sure it will be another special European night at Anfield and I think it could go all the way.

Michael’s recommendation: game to finish 1-1 at 13/2

It could be another special night at Anfield (Getty)

Premier League

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Only one of the last ten games between the sides has ended as a home win and this is a really tough game to call; the Eagles gained that elusive first PL win of the year against Norwich at the weekend whilst Everton again turned three points into one at Vicarage Road.

Michael’s recommendation: Both Teams to Score at 8/11

Michael’s midweek wager: three draws: West Ham V Man United, City v PSG and Liverpool v Dortmund at 45/1

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