STAR PREVIEW: Real Madrid v Bayern Munich

I certainly didn’t expect Real Madrid to be returning to Spain with a lead after the first leg of their semi-final against Bayern Munich and they certainly appear to be a side who are not going to give up their bid for a third successive Champions League title without a battle.

I think there was a mix of Bayern playing uncharacteristically badly at the Allianz Arena and Madrid lifting themselves quite a few notches above their La Liga form this season.

They currently lie third in the table – 15 points adrift of Barcelona which by their own high standards marks a very poor campaign.

Tactically, it will be interesting to see how Real approach tonights game – safe in the knowledge that they not only have a lead but a vital (two) away goal. They also have stats firmly on their side as no team has ever overturned a 2-1 home first-leg defeat in the Champions League, in seven previous such occurrences.

Bayern interim boss Jupp Heynckes said: “We need to minimise our mistakes and we want to change a few things from the first leg.

“Changing nothing would be an error. I saw positive things but there are things to be fixed. I’ll be trying to rectify mistakes; we’ll try to attack. We conceded goals because of some mistakes – it had nothing to do with the organisation or style of play.”

The head to head stats between the pair are very even with Madrid edging a 12-11 lead with just two draws in their past European rivalries.

Bayern are without winger Arjen Robben at the Bernabeu after he suffered a leg injury eight minutes into the first leg but are expected to welcome back left-back David Alaba and midfielder Javi Martinez after injury.

Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg
19:45 BT Sport 2

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(maximum 10 matches)
Apr 2018 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE B Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Apr 2017 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid 4-2 B Munich
Apr 2017 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE B Munich 1-2 Real Madrid
Apr 2014 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE B Munich 0-4 Real Madrid
Apr 2014 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid 1-0 B Munich
Apr 2012 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid 2-1 B Munich
Apr 2012 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE B Munich 2-1 Real Madrid
Mar 2007 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE B Munich 2-1 Real Madrid
Feb 2007 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid 3-2 B Munich
Mar 2004 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real Madrid 1-0 B Munich

I think Madrid look good value at 13/10 tonight with starsports.bet to seal their path through to another final and a probable meeting against Liverpool. But I’ll deal with that match tomorrow.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)

BACK REAL MADRID 7.5 points at 13/10 with starsports.bet

PROFIT/LOSS SINCE JAN 1 2017: PROFIT 128.71 points

---