Can Bayern stop Real Madrid?

Two of Europe’s big guns go head-to-head on Tuesday evening when Bayern Munich host Real Madrid in their first leg Champions League semi-final clash. Bayern are top price 17/10 with Ladbrokes to come out victorious and having won all eight of their home matches in Europe this season, Jupp Heynckes will be confident that his side can take a first leg advantage. Can Bayern stop Real Madrid?

The main worry for the German outfit is how to stop the Real Madrid playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international has been instrumental for the Spanish giants this season and if he is given too much room, it could prove a tough task to ask of Bayern. It’s not only Ronaldo that the Bayern need to worry about, the Madrid side oozes class and with Mesut Ozil pulling the strings in the midfield and Karim Benzema playing a pivotal role upfront with Ronaldo, it’s hard to see the German side running away with this. The other worrying point about anybody wishing to back Bayern is that they have been disappointing in recent weeks in the league having lost 1-0 away to Borussia Dortmund and then got held to a 0-0 draw with Mainz at home. With that in mind plus the fact that Real are current on a 20-match unbeaten streak, the 7/4 (Coral) for Madrid to take a first leg advantage does look a good bet.

On the goalscorers front, it’s difficult to ignore the evens available with Paddy Power for Ronaldo to score at any time. The 27-year-old has scored a total of 52 goals in all competitions this season (41 league, 8 Champions League and 3 Copa deal Rey) and with him being the main free kick taker, the evens does look slightly overpriced. Another player that does look a value bet to score in 90 minutes is Ronaldo’s partner upfront Karim Benzema. The French international is 12/5 with Stan James to score on Tuesday evening and having already scored a total of seven goals in the Champions League this season, he could reward his supporters once again.

Bayern on the other hand will be looking towards their German international Mario Gomez to provide the goals. The 26-year-old is currently second behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the Champions League scoring charts this season so the 6/4 available with BetVictor, could be another tantalising bet.

One thing this match shouldn’t lack is goals. Last Saturday saw Madrid equalled the all-time La Liga scoring record of 107 goals in a single season whilst Bayern are averaging 2.2 goals a match in both Europe and the league. It’s 5/6 (BetVictor) for the match to contain three or more goals and 15/8 that there is four or more goals scored.

From the other football betting markets that could produce a return, the 15/2 available with William Hill for Madrid to come from behind and win does look a value bet along with the 4/1 for Real to win by a margin of one goal.

If you are looking at who will qualify, it’s 1/2 (general) for Real to reach their 13 major European final with Bayern Munich 7/4 (Coral).

Champions League stats

Champions League Leading Goalscorer
Lionel Messi, Barcelona - 14
Mario Gomez, Bayern Munich - 11
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid - 8
Karim Benzema, Real Madrid - 7
Jose Callejon, Real Madrid - 5
Roberto Soldado, Valencia – 5

Champions League Team Total Goals
Barcelona – total 33, ave 3.3
Real Madrid – total 32, ave 3.2
Bayern Munich – total 22, ave 2.2
Chelsea – total 21, ave 2.1

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