Champions League
2013-05-01 - Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Wednesday 1 May 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Barcelona
For the second consecutive season, Barcelona return home for the second leg of a Champions League Semi Final with a deficit to overturn. They again failed to score an away goal in the first leg, but this time the deficit is four goals and it looks like mission impossible for Barcelona to make it back to the Final.
It hasn't all been doom and gloom this season as Barcelona will win the La Liga title, but it has certainly been a tough season mentally for the players. Pep Guardiola left in the Summer, but his replacement Tito Vilanova had health complications and the last few months has seen a tired side take to the field. Barcelona have now only won 3 of their last 6 Champions League games at the Nou Camp, although they are unbeaten in 22 games here.
Barcelona have only won 3 of their last 8 games in all competitions and it will be a disappointment to the fans that they will see the side only win one of the trophies they went in for after such a special start to the season. They are unbeaten in their last 6 home games in all competition, winning 5 of those games.
Javier Mascherano remains absent, while the defence is also hurt by the suspension of Jordi Alba. Adriano is available, but Sergio Busquets needs to pass a late fitness test.
Bayern Munich
It was a special night in Germany last week as Bayern Munich underlined their reason to be considered the best team in Europe with a thorough dismantling of Barcelona. The 4-0 win exceeded what anyone would have thought, although there had been a feeling that they could take advantage of a vulnerable Barcelona team. While they have one foot in the Wembley Final at the end of the month, Bayern are arriving in Spain looking to prove that last week is not a 'one-off'.
The Bundesliga title has been won and the German Cup Final is to be played so the treble is very much on for Bayern Munich this season. However, they are taking nothing for granted in the Champions League this season having come up short in the 2010 and 2012 Finals. They have only lost 1 of their 5 away games in the competition this season, a surprising 3-1 defeat to BATE Borisov, but Bayern have won 3 of their last 4 games including away wins in Arsenal and Juventus in the knock out stage.
Bayern Munich are in wonderful form to close out the season and they have won 10 in a row in all competitions. Their away form has been even better with 12 straight wins in all competitions since drawing 1-1 in Valencia back in December in the Champions League Group Stage. Bayern are unbeaten in 17 straight away games since the loss in Belarus to BATE.
Mario Mandzukic returns from suspension, while Dante is expected to be passed fit having been suffering from a cold. Six players will be worrying about picking up a booking that will see them miss the Final.
Head to Head
The last time Bayern Munich visited the Nou Camp saw them lose 4-0 to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League Quarter Final.
The Bavarian giants had won on their previous 2 visits to Barcelona.
Prediction
There is going to be a period of this game when Bayern Munich are certainly going to be put under pressure by Barcelona, most likely early in the contest as the home team looks to score the goals to keep the tie alive.
If Bayern Munich can get through the first twenty minutes unscathed, their counter attacking ability will likely get them a few opportunities to score a killer away goal, much like Borussia Dortmund had their chances in their game at Real Madrid.
I think Bayern can continue the tough run for Barcelona and at least avoid defeat.
The Pick :
Barcelona 1-1 Bayern Munich
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Bayern Munich + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.14
