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Bayern Munich host Real Madrid on Wednesday in the best of four Champions League matchups. They’ve met in Champions League play 17 times, more than any other pairing. But for today’s match, key absences on both sides will play a large role in the result.
Here are the latest odds from Bovada:
Barcelona vs. Juventus Odds
Spread: Bayern -1 (+115), Madrid +1 (-140)
Moneyline: Bayern -150, Madrid +360, Draw +330
Total: Over 3 (-130), Under 3 (+110)
Prediction:
Bayern are a sizable home favorite, but things didn’t work out so well the last time these teams met at Allianz Arena. Madrid thrashed Bayern 4-0 in their previous visit, a 2014 loss that remains their most recent home defeat in this competition.
Bayern could be playing without Robert Lewandowski, who is dealing with a shoulder injury and trained minimally this week. He would give his team a huge advantage, as Madrid will be without two starting defenders in their lineup.
Both Pepe and Raphael Varane are out, and both will likely miss the second leg next week as well. It’s not only tough for Madrid’s Champions League hopes, as Zidane’s club holds just a three-point lead in the Spanish table.
Look for Bayern to be steady on the ball, with Madrid satisfied with playing the counter early. But if Bayern can get the first goal early, they could control this game and perhaps take a lead to the Bernabeu next week.
Best Bet: Costa anytime goal (+600)
Find out how to watch this match in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com: