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7 months ago
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Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on the Bernabeu this week, Real Madrid will welcome Bayern Munich to the Spanish capital on Wednesday night for their second-leg showdown.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have come under plenty of scrutiny last season, Los Blancos have embarked on another history-making run this time around. Breezing their way to this year’s La Liga crown over the weekend as they secured a routine 3-0 romp at home against Cadiz, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will certainly have a real party atmosphere in their camp on Wednesday night. With many tipping the Spanish heavyweights as a leading contender here, the former AC Milan boss has not seen his superstar squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous 20 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to January 18th. Eventually leaving the Allianz with a crucial 2-2 stalemate over in Germany last week, Madrid have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. In fact, Ancelotti’s side have not suffered a single competitive defeat at the Benabeu since a 3-2 loss against Villarreal 13 months ago.
Team News
Not making a single appearance across any competition since opening the New Year, Real Madrid will once again be unable to call upon ex-Bayern Munich superstar David Alaba on Wednesday night. While Thibaut Courtois might have made an emotional return over the weekend, Andriy Lunin will certainly make a full return between the sticks here.
Bagging a first-leg brace at the Allianz last week and notching five goals in his eight Champions League appearances this season, Brazilian ace Vinicius Junior will spearhead Ancelotti’s charge here. Veteran defender Daniel Carvajal is free to make a European return in midweek after serving a one-match suspension.
Bayern Munich
As for the visitors, officially relinquishing their Bundesliga crown last month, it is no secret that Bayern Munich have all of their eggs in this year’s Champions League basket. However, although Thomas Tuchel’s men might have put in another gritty European performance last week as they claimed that 2-2 stalemate at the Allianz, the German giants have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring inconsistencies this season. Failing to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend as they slumped to a 3-1 drumming at the hands of Stuttgart, the former Chelsea boss will also have a major headache over his side’s extended struggles on the road. Opening April with an infamous collapse away at Heidenheim as they suffered a 3-2 defeat, Bayern have registered just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine showdowns away from the Allianz – a run that stems all the way back to December 12th.
Team News
Bayern Munich have confirmed that the duo of Sacha Boey and French international Kingsley Coman will not feature over the remainder of the season. In what will certainly be a huge boost on Wednesday night, midfield talisman Jamal Musiala will make a full return despite still dealing with a recent knock.
Continuing on what has been a record-breaking romp since arriving from Tottenham last summer, England skipper Harry Kane has recorded 44 goals across all competitions and will certainly have a leading role to play here. Handed a rest away at Stuttgart over the weekend, former Manchester City ace Leroy Sane will certainly make a full return in Madrid.
Key Factors to Consider
When Real Madrid and Bayern Munich met for their first-leg showdown last week, the two European giants played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Allianz. Los Blancos are unbeaten in all of their previous 20 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to January 18th. Including a first-leg brace last week, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior has scored five goals in his eight Champions League appearances this season. Bayern Munich have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their last nine consecutive appearances on the road. The German giants have failed to collect a single clean sheet away from the Allianz since the middle of December.Conclusion
Making real history over the weekend as they officially wrapped up this year’s La Liga crown, Real Madrid have their sights firmly set on completing a stunning silverware sweep over the next month. Unbeaten in all of their previous 20 straight appearances across all competitions, Los Blancos will be looking to exploit a Bayern Munich squad that have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring issues away from the Allianz. With the German giants collecting just a pair of victories from any of their last nine showdowns on the road, we are backing Wednesday’s hosts to book their Champions League final ticket here.
Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster