Two historic giants of European football, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, are set to meet in the Champions League semifinals for the second time in three seasons. Reigning champions Bayern are still on-course to become the first club to successfully defend the title, while nine-time winners Real are desperate to end their 12-year wait to return to the Champions League final.
Update: Real Madrid has taken care of its business at home and can now focus on the Champions League, after winning their 19th Copa del Rey trophy 2-1 on Gareth Bale’s stunning goal on April 16th. Real is now qualified for next year’s Champions League tournament and will enter this semifinal with the confidence of having defeated their rivals Barcelona in one of the biggest games of the year.
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Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich Champions League First Leg Betting Preview
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 2:45 EST
Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Line: Bayern Munich +0.5 (-120) at Real Madrid –0.5 (EVEN); total 2.5 – view these lines
Betting on Real Madrid
Real were given a major scare by Borussia Dortmund in their quarterfinal 2ndleg, but despite losing 2-0 in Germany, the Spaniards still advanced 3-2 on aggregate.
Real were without World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo for that game with a knee problem, and he could face some more time out due to a hamstring injury. Ronaldo is the team’s leading scorer this season with an absurd 45 goals in 41 games for Real and is the Champions League’s top scorer with 14 goals.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Even without Ronaldo, Real still boast an incredible array of attacking talent, with striker Karim Benzema and midfielders Gareth Bale and Isco combining for 12 Champions League goals this season.
Real are 9-0-1 in their last 10 home games (the one loss coming against Barcelona), and have scored three or more goals in nine straight games at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Betting on Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich hardly played like the all-conquering side they’ve been for much of the season against Manchester United in the quarterfinal. Bayern once again went behind against United in the second leg, but powered through with a 3-1 home win to advance.
Their three leading Champions League goalscorers, Thomas Muller (five goals), Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben (four goals) all scored to lead the Bayern comeback.
However, those two games form part of a worrying trend for the defending champions. After clinching the German league title in record fashion, Bayern are now just 1-2-2 in their last five games and have lost consecutive league games for the first time since 2010/11.
Minnows Augsburg ended their 53-game unbeaten run and rivals Dortmund dismantled them 3-0 at home, their heaviest loss under manager Pep Guardiola.
Nevertheless, Bayern will just about have their full complement of stars available for Real after midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez served one-game suspensions against United.
Despite being held scoreless in consecutive league games, Bayern have scored in every Champions League game so far and average two goals away from home.
Writer’s Prediction
With Bayern suddenly wobbling, this is Real’s time to strike. If Ronaldo returns healthy, expect the Spaniards to have too much firepower and win the first leg at home.
