How to Make Profit in Buabook's Champions League Match Markets

It’s semi-final time in this season’s Champions League, with two fantastic ties to look ahead to this week and next. With both Madrid clubs avoiding one another there is the chance of a repeat of the 2013/14 final between the two local rivals, while if City and Bayern were to progress it would set up a fascinating and somewhat unprecedented finale between Pep Guardiola’s current and future employers.

With any outcome over the next 10 days setting up a mouthwatering showdown next month, there is plenty to get excited about. There is, however, another way to add even more intrigue to the proceedings.

By signing up to Buabook you will have the chance to enjoy the first player trading market that enables you to make real money, in-play. Buy and sell shares ahead of kick-off and during the matches this week and you could make a handsome profit, all whilst staying glued to the action on screen from your phone, tablet or laptop while you watch.

For example, if Manchester City or Real Madrid’s backlines are looking shaky on Tuesday night, as both have been criticised of this season, buy shares on an opposing striker that is looking dangerous in-play. Alternatively, were Atletico’s defence to appear typically resolute against Bayern on Wednesday, you could buy shares in the likes of Filipe Luis, reaping the rewards from a potential clean sheet.

To help you get accustomed to the game and advise you on the players to look out for this week, the following are my tips for the first legs of each semi-final.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid

While Manuel Pellegrini’s men will be considered the underdogs over two legs, it would be wrong to write them off, particularly at the Etihad. Both sides may have won at the weekend, but it was City who were far more convincing, securing a 4-0 win over Stoke, while Madrid were forced to come from two down against relegation threatened Rayo Vallecano.

The latter result was the latest instance of Madrid’s vulnerability, particularly away from home. Los Blancos have now kept just one clean sheet on the road since November, so a second against a City side with all of their attacking talents on song disposal seems unlikely.

With Sergio Aguero in fine form, it’s certainly worth considering buying shares in the Argentinean, particularly given the fact that the former Atletico striker has scored in each of his last three home appearances against Madrid. With a goal alone worth £1.00 in Buabook’s match market, I would wait a little for Aguero’s price to dip, assuming he doesn’t find the net too early, and buy shares south of £0.75.

Twenty shares at that price would total to £15.00, of which only 20% (£3.00) will be deducted from your balance. Were Aguero to score once and fire off more shots on target (each worth £0.06), if his value were to settle at £1.25 at the final whistle, for example, you would make a profit of £0.50 on each share and a total profit of £22.00 from just a £3.00 stake (over 7 times your money). However, if Aguero were to have an off night and his value ended at £0.00, which seems unlikely on current form, you would lose 100% of your original stake (£15.00).

Given that I’m tipping City to find a way past Keylor Navas in the visitors' goal I would also look into selling shares in Madrid defenders, most notably Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard is widely considered among the best in his position in Europe but also renowned for his ill discipline. With a yellow card enough to see a player's value drop by £0.25 and each goal conceded costing a defender £0.20, I’d be confident enough to back against a clean sheet (valued at £1.00) and sell shares in the Madrid captain north of £0.50, continuing to sell as the game goes on down to £0.20 a share.

Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich

As with any game that looks likely to be a lower scoring affair, Atletico’s welcome of Bayern is a tough one to call. It’s certainly a game that I would wait to assess in-play before making any moves in Buabook’s match market.

On one hand Diego Simeone’s men are renowned for their superb defensive record, conceding just four times in 16 Champions League matches at home under the Argentine. On the other, Bayern have one of the most potent attacks in Europe, failing to score in just four matches all season. That said, those four occasions have all come away from home thus far, so I wouldn’t rule out a clean sheet for the hosts but remain reluctant to tip such an outcome given the visitors’ threat.

Instead, my one tip would be to look into selling shares in a Bayern forward, assessing which looks least likely to find the net. My tip ahead of the game in that regard would be Robert Lewandowski, who will no doubt have suitors in-play for the highest price for the away side given his goalscoring record this year. However, of 35 goals across the league and Champions League this season just 11 have come away from the Allianz. You should be able to sell shares close to £1.00 early on in the game and I’d be tempted to do so. If the Poland international failed to score - as he has in 6 of his last 7 matches - you’d be sure to secure a handsome profit at that price.

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