This is arguably the best tie of the Champions League last eight between two heavyweights of European football. Barcelona and Bayern Munich are set to go toe-to-toe on Friday evening (kick off 8pm) for a place in the semi-finals.
There are an array of some of the best players in the world on show in this fixture and both sides definitely harbour aspirations of winning the competition.
Both sides are multiple winners and, more often that not, they reach at least the quarter-finals every season. However, one of these teams won’t get any further and a quest for another Champions League title will be over for another year.
Bayern eased to another Bundesliga title and are on a fantastic unbeaten run under Hans-Dieter Flick. They have goals in abundance, lighting-quick wingers and a strong defence. All those ingredients are a recipe for success.
Barca will be smarting from the fact that they didn’t win La Liga this season. Their form has been a bit below what they are capable of but with Lionel Messi still capable of magical moments, you can never write them off. This should be an absolute classic.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Predictions
This is such a tricky game to predict. It is one of those matches that could genuinely go either way.
Barcelona are one of the greatest clubs in European history. The amount of trophies they have won, the world-class players they have had at their disposal and their legendary stadium show how well regarded they have been for years.
Are they showing signs of declining slightly? Their league campaign wasn’t one to remember, losing out to Real Madrid by five points, and this isn’t the best XI they have ever had.
However, with Messi in your team you will always have a chance. He scored a quite incredible goal to beat off the challenge of Napoli in the last 16 and he is still producing the goods at the age of 33. Will he get enough support against a quality side?
Robert Lewandowski has been in amazing form all season long and with the emergence of the likes of Alphonso Davies, they have youth and fearlessness on their side.
Tentatively, we think Bayern will edge our Barca and go into the semis. It is anyone’s game though!
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Betting Tips
- Correct score – 1:2 – 17/2
- First goalscorer – Serge Gnabry – 11/2
- Bayern Munich win and over 2.5 goals – 17/10
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Head to Head
- The two teams have met 10 times in Europe since 2006, with Barca winning five and Bayern four.
- The last time the two met in the Champions League was in 2015, when Barca won 5-3 on aggregate.
- Bayern are unbeaten in 24 games in all competitions.
Barcelona Team News
The big news is Lionel Messi missed training this week with a foot knock but is expected to play against the German giants. Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele are out with long-term injuries. Plenty of players risk missing the semi-final through suspension, such as Messi and Luis Suarez, if they get booked against Bayern.
Possible team: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic, Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.
Bayern Munich Team News
Benjamin Pavard is Bayern’s only absentee as they look to dump out Barca and reach the semi-finals. They have no-one at risk of being banned should they make it past the Catalan giants.
Possible team: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, Thiago Alcantara, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Ivan Perisic, Robert Lewandowski.
For more football odds, visit our dedicated NetBet Football Betting page.
