Bayern great value in the half markets ahead of Barcelona clash

This is unquestionably the semi-final the highlight of the semi-final line up, but Barcelona’s trip to Bayern Munich is incredibly tough to call.

With Bayern laying waste all comers on the domestic scene – a five-goal win is standard practice for the Bavarians – and brushing aside the mighty Juventus with the consummate ease likely to come about in a game against an Estonian qualifier, you’ve got to fancy the hosts to win, but backing a team to beat Barcelona at 7/5 may seem a shade on the short side.

If that’s the case, having a dabble on the home team to be ahead at both half and full time could prove a decent side punt.

FC Hollywood’s shock loss to Arsenal at the Allianz eight games back represents the only blemish on an otherwise perfect 19-match run. Of these games, they’ve been ahead at the break and final whistle 14 times, including an away tie against the Gunners and at home against Juventus. This proves they’re not just battering your average German sides, they’re giving Europe’s elite comprehensive beatings.

With Barcelona a far cry from their brilliant best in recent weeks, where they’ve lost twice to Real Madrid, failed to beat Paris St-Germain in either of their two quarter-final legs, and required an 84th minute winner to scrape past Levante at home last time out.

These stats don’t compare with Bayern’s of late, while both Real and AC Milan have beaten them after being ahead at half and full time in the not-too-distant past.

They haven’t won on either of their visits to Bayern in addition to this, losing one and drawing the other; their 1-0 defeat in 1998 would have resulted in this bet copping.

At 11/4, this price offers a good opportunity for windfall as Jupp Heynckes side bid to heave one foot into the Champions League final.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date