Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Recently-crowned La Liga champions Real Madrid host German heavyweights Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening.
The first leg ended 2-2 after a highly entertaining 90 minutes in Germany, during which both sides showcased impressive attacking displays. Kick-off is set for 8pm UK time.
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Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti's men have been in superb form lately, winning their last five games in La Liga and riding high on the momentum of being crowned champions of Spain over the weekend. They have only suffered two defeats all season, with the most recent being on January 18th against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
They have scored in every Champions League game this season, averaging 2.18 goals per game in the competition, slightly higher than their expected goals (xG) of 1.71. This trend continued in the first leg, where Real had an xG of 1.87.
Goals have been flowing at the Bernabéu, where Madrid have 2.4 goals per game. Three of their five home outings have seen them net three or more goals so far.
Madrid will need to be in top form defensively, as they have kept a clean sheet in only 27% of their Champions League matches this campaign, conceding an average of 1.27 goals per match, slightly lower than their expected goals against (xGA) of 1.52. Their defensive record is better on home turf though, with Madrid keeping clean sheets in two of their five home matches in the Spanish capital.
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Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel's men are have endured a difficult season on the domestic front, losing out on the Bundesliga for the first time in eleven seasons following the remarkable exploits of Bayer Leverkusen. Such woes were compounded when they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon. Champions League glory remains their only chance of securing a trophy this term.
Despite losing out on the league title, Bayern remain the top scorers in the Bundesliga with 90 goals. They've proven just as formidable in European competition, scoring 20 goals over the course of the campaign with an average of 1.82 goals per match. This is slightly higher than their xG of 1.47.
Their defensive record in the Champions League is impressive, conceding an average of one goal per game, is in line with their xGA of 1.08. Though they have only managed to keep a clean sheet in two matches this season, only three have seen them concede two or more.
Prediction
Given Madrid's rampant form this season, Bayern were always going to face an uphill task if they were unable to secure a win in the first leg last week. The home side have not lost a single match in front of their home fans in any competition this term.
OddsNow expect this run to continue beyond Wednesday evening as Madrid move one step closer to a record 15th Champions League.