The tension in Madrid has been building all week as Los Blancos await the visit of Champions League holders Bayern Munich.
Now managed by former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, the German outfit have been considered favourites all season long to retain the crown they won last season at Wembley.
The two teams last met in 2011/12 season, when Bayern won on penalties. The two teams couldn’t be separated after 210 minutes of football saw them level at 3-3.
Madrid will want to avoid a similarly painful exit this time round – their fourth consecutive semi-final appearance. And the latest betting odds suggest Los Blancos are slight favourites to win the first leg and take an all important lead to defend in Germany next week. They are available at 7/5 to win, with Munich at 19/10. A draw is priced at around 13/5.
Whatever happens, there will hopefully be plenty of goals in the game. The home side are averaging more than three a game this season, while the visitors are undefeated in this years competitions. Both teams have so much attacking talent that it is hard to see them not scoring.
Fit again forward Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to open the scoring at 7/2. Copa del Rey hero Gareth Bale is priced at 6/1, along with Karim Benzema and Mario Mandzukic – Munich’s leading scorer this season.
