Ibrahimovic can reward sentimental punters as PSG visit Barcelona
Published:The Champions League quarter-final draw threw up some ties heavy in sentimental value, not least due to the stand-out stars who will feature in the bouts.
And in reaction to Galatasaray’s pairing with Real Madrid, and PSG’s draw opposing Barcelona, Ladbrokes are offering a number of specials on Didier Drogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
As Galatasaray travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg of their clash, Drogba will line up against the manager who brought him to prominence in world football.
But the Ivorian hitman will be desperate to dent Jose Mourinho’s European Cup chances, as he himself looks for a second consecutive tilt at the competition, this time with 50/1 Aslan.
He is 2/1 to register at any time in Spain, which is worthy of consideration regarding a player who has hit 45 European goals in just 87 appearances.
Elsewhere in the last eight, all eyes within the Nou Camp will be on Ibrahimovic as the Swede returns to take on 13/8 tournament favourites Barca.
Ibrahimovic has been in sensational form since joining PSG last summer, notching 31 times in just 36 appearances thus far for the Ligue One leaders.
Suspended for the first leg in Paris, Ibrahimovic is certain to return to the Parisiens’ starting line-up in Spain, and as a player renowned for his ego, it is safe to assume he will be eager to prove a point to his former employers.
A two-time member of UEFA’s Team of the Year, Ibrahimovic is 50/1 to bag a hat-trick in the second leg, whilst he can simply be backed to find the net at any time at 7/4.
That second bet appears the better option, given that a maiden Champions League treble eludes him.
But value could be found in the 10/1 that Ibrahimovic registers prior to kissing the PSG badge in celebration.
As aforementioned, much is often made of the Swede’s egotistical nature, and should he receive a frosty reception from the home crowd, he may well opt to wind up the Catalan locals if he does find the net.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
