Bayern Munich v Barcelona Prediction 23rd April 2013

Bayern Munich v Barcelona Betting Preview
Because of the shaky form of Barcelona in the Champions League and Bayern pretty much firing on all cylinders, it is the Germans who go into the first leg as favourites. The newly crowned Bundesliga champions are such a strong side at the moment and after taking out Juventus in the previous round in such a convincing and accomplished manner, they could take a firm grip of this tie here. A home win would see them take firm change of this tie, especially if they can keep the Spaniards off the scoresheet. Just to add to Bayern’s favouritism here, they actually hold an ascendancy over the La Liga giants as well, and how many other sides are capable of pushing Barcelona into the position as underdogs in a match?

Bayern Munich v Barcelona Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Bayern Munich 13/10, Barcelona 9/4, Draw 5/2

Online bookmaker Promotion
Going down to ten men in this semi final could likely cost a side a place in the final, so discipline has to be maintained as well. Online bookmaker Bet Victor are offering some insurance on both of the Champions League semi final first legs. If a red card is shown at any time during either game, Bet Victor will refund losing Correct Score, First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, SCorecast and Man of the Match Bet on that particular match. The maximum stake refund is up to £50 per person/household. New customers registering an account with online bookmaker Bet Victor can get up to a free £25 bet as a welcome bonus.

Bayern Munich v Barcelona Recommended Bet:
Bayern Munich romped their way to the Bundesliga title this season, with a good six matches to spare. It has been such a strong and impressive run of form for them, and they have won their last thirteen domestic matches in a row as well. How well they handled the threat of Juventus in the quarter finals was so impressive, it’s hard not to look at them as favourites. They are in the Champions League semi finals for the third time in the last four seasons now, and will be keen to make up for last year’s heartbreak where they lost to Chelsea in the final. At home in the Champions League, they have won 17 of their last 20 Champions League matches at the Allianz Arena (including the 2012 final against Chelsea).

The threat of Bayern Munich comes from their immense forward pace and power. They have the speed in their ranks to really rattle the Barcelona back line. Last season they took out Real Madrid in the semi finals of the competition, from a position of underdog. This time around they go as favourites against Barcelona. The German side have just topped the Associated Press rankings ahead of the Catalans as well. They have plenty of experience on home soil against Spanish side, and in their last 12 home matches against Spanish sides in the Champions League, Bayern haven’t kept a clean sheet. On the flip side of that, they have scored in a thirteen of their previous home matches against Spanish opposition. In those thirteen games, the Germans have scored 25 goals, so there has been a pretty good return.

This season in the Champions League, they have won four of their five games at the Allianz Arena, their only slip up coming against Arsenal. Bayern’s record against Spanish opponents in two-legged contests in UEFA competition is W8 L6. Barcelona don’t have a great history against Bayern Munich, winning just one of their previous six match ups. In three previous visits to Bayern Munich, they have never managed to win, taking away two draws and a defeat. On German soil, Barcelona are on an eight match unbeaten streak and they hold a W13 L4 record against German sides in two-legged UEFA competition contests. They have set a Champions League record this term after making it to the semi finals for the sixth consecutive season.  It hasn’t been all that easy for them, as they have only won one of their last five matches, drawing three and losing one. Their away form has been very shaky, winning just three of their last 15 away matches in the knockout stages of the Champions League, so that is another reason why Bayern could be taking a bit of ascendancy here.

The Catalan giants have produced the fewest amount of shots on goal of the four teams left in the competition, however, they have completed the most successful passes. There’s little doubt that they need Lionel Messi fit and firing. Of their eight away goals which they have scored in the Champions League this season, Messi have been directly involved in six of them (scoring four). Their last two away matches have produced a defeat at AC Milan and then a draw at PSG, so there are gaps at the back. The last time that they met Bayern Munich was in the quarter finals of the 2008/09 Champions League, which the Spaniard won 5-1 on aggregate.

This really could be the final, and everything is set up for it to be a classic. You expect that Bayern Munich will be taking charge. You can never write Barcelona off though, but there are too many questions over their back line, especially against a viciously ruthless Bayern front line. Would consider a Draw/Bayern Munich bet for a price of 5/1 at online bookmaker Bet Victor.

Form
Bayern Munich WWWWWW, Barcelona DWDWW

Stat Attack
Barcelona have only managed three wins in their last 15 away ECL knockout matches
Barcelona are defending an eight match unbeaten streak on German soil
Lionel Messi has been involved in six of Barcelona’s eight away goals this season
Bayern Munich have only lost one of six matches against Barcelona
Bayern Have won 17 of their last 20 Champions League matches at home