Champions League
2011-08-23 - Zurich vs Bayern Munich
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : European Champions League 2nd Leg
Tuesday 23 August 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
One of the giants of European football were forced to start their Champions League campaign last week in Germany as Bayern Munich get on the long road to the Final which will be played at their home stadium this year. Bayern were the big favourites to progress against Zurich and didn't fail to put their home advantage to use with a 2-0 win.
That result does not mean the tie is over, but it has left the Swiss team with a lot of work to do. However, they must feel if they can get the first goal they will at least give themselves a real chance to shock their bigger European neighbours, but the Bayern Munich players are well aware of this and insist they are still focused on the task at hand.
Zurich have struggled in the Swiss League at this early stage, and they have a 2-0-4 record, scoring 11 goals and conceding 9. The team have a 1-0-2 record at home in the League, but have surprisingly scored 8 goals and only conceded 5 in those games.
They came through their first Champions League tie against Standard Liege by winning their home game 1-0, but Zurich will be aware that won't be enough this time.
After a tough start to the Jupp Heynckes era at the Allianz Arena, Bayern have bounced back and look good. They lost their first game of the season 0-1 at home to Borussia Mochengladbach, but have since won 3 games in a row without conceding a goal and then culminating in a 5-0 win against Hamburg at home at the weekend.
Bayern beat Wolfsburg in their only away game of the season so far, and they have won 4 of their last 5 away games in the Champions League, 3 of those games coupled with clean sheets.
Jerome Boateng and Luiz Gustavo are both in the squad after missing the game last week, but Ivica Olic is out for the next couple of months after injuring himself at the weekend.
Zurich are missing Mathieu Bedu who is suspended after being sent off last week.
Head to Head
This will only be their 2nd competitive game following on from the first leg last week.
Prediction
The prices on the match look justified, with Bayern Munich capable of attacking Zurich on the break and taking advantage of a team that will eventually have to push forward for goals to overcome this deficit from the first leg.
However, the 1.57 on the away win looks a little on the short side considering Bayern Munich do not have to win and they may decide to stick if they get an away goal.
There was one market that did turn my head and that was Bayern Munich to win to nil, a feat they have achieved in their last 3 games.
It also helps to see how Bayern have won 4 of their last 5 away games in the Champions League and gained 3 clean sheets in those wins and they could be capable of taking advantage of what looks like a big price set at Ladbrokes.
I wouldn't go overboard with the stakes myself, especially considering Bayern could sit back on a 0-1 lead and allow Zurich the opportunity to score while going through comfortably in the tie.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Zurich 0-1 Bayern Munich
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Bayern Munich win to nil @ 3.00 (Ladbrokes)
