Real Madrid v Bayern Munich:





Tonight sees the first Leg of the second semi-final of this year's Champions League. Tonight's match up is between two of the world's biggest and most successful clubs; Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Bayern are the reigning champions, beating German compatriots Borussia Dortmund in last year's final. This year has seen a continuation of this success, now under Pep Guardiola, Bayern won the German Premiership with 7 games remaining. However following this impressive feat, Bayern lost their 1st game of the season 2 games after securing the title, and went on to lose the next fixture also. They have won just one of their last 4 league fixtures after winning the league by such a margin, an element of complacency has surely set in.





Real Madrid on the other hand, are embroiled in a three way title challenge in Spain. Real currently sit third on 79 points, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid above Real respectively. Real come into tonight's game in excellent form, winning their last three games scoring 13 goals and conceding 0. Real Madrid are the 2nd highest scoring team in major european leagues, scoring 94 goals in their 33 league fixtures.

In Real's last 20 matches, 14 of their first goals have been in the first half, in addition to this, Real have scored either 3,4 or 5 goals in 13 of their last 20 games. Similarly, Bayern and Real have won at both Half Time and Full Time in 13 of their last 20 matches, emphasising the possibility of early goals in this game.

Real and Bayern have no doubt two of the best, most star-studded squads in world football, boasting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger.





In terms of the Champions League specifically, both these sides have been excellent in this year's tournament. Bayern Munich have set a new record, with 10 straight Champions League victories, surpassing Barcelona's record in 2002/03. Both sides have come through a number of difficult fixtures to reach this stage of the tournament, and were both hotly tipped by the bookmakers to win the competition, before being drawn against each other. Real Madrid have been extremely fluent and high scoring, with Cristiano Ronaldo the top scorer in the tournament with 14 goals, a new record for the most in a calendar year in the Champions League. Supporting Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema are both 2nd in this year's tournament assist table, showing the depth of attacking options and goal threat Real possess.





Both of these sides are excellent attacking forces, both setting out with one lone striker supported by two creative and skillful wide men. These formations create a large element of width, flair and creativity in the matches, leading to high scoring and exciting matches. Real will no doubt line up with Karim Benzema playing centrally, with Ronaldo and Bale either side. Whereas Bayern will line up with Mario Mandzukic through the middle, with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on the wings.





Before Bayern manager Pep Guardiola left Barcelona he had a near perfect record against Real Madrid, with 9 victories, 3 draws and only 1 defeat. Therefore Guardiola obviously fancies his chances tonight, Guardiola is tactically a fantastic manager, and any successful strategies he used in his 64% win ratio against Barcelona, will surely be implemented tonight. Bayern have a number of versatile and tactically astute players capable of working to a number of tactics, such as Philip Lahm, Javi Martinez and David Alaba, all capable of playing a number of positions.





Bayern are an excellent defensive outfit, when they secured the league title with 7 games remaining they were still unbeaten, conceding just 13 goals in the process. However in two of Bayern's biggest ties of the season against Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund, Bayern conceded 3 goals in either tie. Similarly Real Madrid boast one of Europe's best goal differences, however are susceptible to conceding in the big match ups. Real drew 2-2 against city rivals Atletico Madrid, whilst winning 2-1 against Barcelona in the Copa Del Ray final, and losing 4-3 in the league. Therefore, with two stellar attacking sides, and two defences susceptible to conceding in big matches, we recommend a high scoring game, with both teams to score. Real Madrid will want to establish a lead from home advantage tonight, with Bayern having a near perfect home record, the chances of victory are extremely slim.