Prediction: Bayern Munich vs Sevilla



Verdict: Home win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: William Hill

Despite surviving a real scare in the first leg, Bayern Munich eventually secured a 2-1 victory that puts them in the driving seat ahead of the return match at Allianz Arena. Sevilla, on the other hand, were left to rue missed chances and they will now have a mountain to climb in Munich.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have been the dominant force in Germany in the 21st century, and they recently secured their sixth consecutive league trophy, but team’s performances in Europe’s elite competition have left something to be desired. The Bavarians are now eager to try and lift the first Champions League trophy since 2013, when they defeated none other than arch rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final.

Having secured another league title, Bayer Munich can now fully focus on the closing stages of the 2017/2018 Champions League campaign and they are now on the verge of making it to the semi-finals. After hammering Besiktas 8-1 on aggregate, the Bavarians had bigger fish to fry in the quarter-finals and they were somewhat outclassed by Sevilla in the first leg, but their huge experience and quality ultimately proved crucial as the Germans came from behind to record a 2-1 triumph. Bayern are now hot favourites to make it to the next round, although they will not have such an easy job in the return leg.

Team News

Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman continue to miss out, whereas Arturo Vidal and David Alaba are both rated doubtful.



Sevilla

Things haven’t gone all too well for Sevilla in La Liga this season as they currently occupy 7th position in the overall standings and could miss out on European qualification altogether. Los Rojiblancos have been especially disappointing of late, taking just one point from last four league fixtures, suffering an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Celta Vigo last time out. Said defeat came just days after the disappointing Champions League to Bayern Munich that all but ended their hopes of reaching the last four.

Buoyed by the 2-2 draw with Barcelona, when they squandered a two-goal lead in the dying moments, Sevilla impressed in the opening exchanges and took the lead through Pablo Sarabia, but were then made to pay for the lack of cutting edge in the opposition box and had to settle for a 2-1 loss. Having also been beaten by Celta Vigo at the weekend, los Rojiblancos will be low on confidence going into the clash at Allianz Arena, so we don’t think they can upset in-form Bayern on Wednesday evening.

Team News

Simon Kjaer and Joaquin Correa are both out injured, whereas Vincenzo Montella is sweating over the fitness of Lionel Carole and Sebastien Corchia.

Key Factors to Consider

• Sevilla lost three of last four matches
• Bayern won 17 of last 19 home games (D2)
• The Bavarians kept a clean sheet in last four of those
• Bayern recorded 20 wins in last 21 home games in UCL (L1)
• Sevilla boast 3-4-2 away record in last nine UCL matches on the road

Conclusion

Given the form they are in and the one-goal advantage from the first leg, Bayern Munich can be trusted to get the job done at Allianz Arena, but we also expect attack-minded Sevilla to get on the scoresheet, even though they are unlikely to avoid another defeat.

Verdict: Home win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: William Hill