Wednesday 11th April 2018 (19:45)
BT Sport
Sevilla deserve plenty of credit for putting together a pair performances full of character and endeavour when welcoming two of the planet’s biggest clubs last week. The Andalusians took the lead against both Barcelona and Bayern Munich at their Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan base, only to run out of gas after the interval.
Vincenzo Montella’s men have switched between awesome and awful in an inconsistent campaign that’s seen the La Liga side slide to seventh (below their city rivals Real Betis) and a whopping 18 points adrift of Champions League qualification next term.
For large swathes of their 2-2 draw with Barcelona, Sevilla were dominant and entertaining. For much of the first-half against Bayern, Los Rojiblancos were in control and putting the German giants under pressure. However, the Andalusians profligate finishing and worrisome backline failed to stand strong.
Unfortunately for Sevilla, the concession of two away goals to Bayern Munich has all but ended their quarter-final tie. Sure, Montella’s troops turned the tables on Manchester United at Old Trafford but repeating the feat at the Allianz Arena is a totally different kettle of fish.
If we exclude the Copa del Rey, the visitors have lost over half of their past 20 outings and conceded at least four goals on six occasions since October. Los Rojiblancos’ record at La Liga’s top-four reads W0-D0-L4 this term and even if we include their home results, it’s a paltry W0-D1-L6.
Playing Jesus Navas at right-back has created plenty of problems and I just can’t see any reason why Bayern Munich won’t take full advantage in Bavaria on Wednesday evening, despite their 2-1 first leg advantage.
Bayern wrapped up their sixth consecutive title at Augsburg on Saturday, a phenomenal achievement when considering Dortmund enjoyed a five-point advantage at the top of the table as recently as October, when the Munich men appeared to be in crisis.
The return of Jupp Heynckes has galvanised the club and now a repeat of the treble from five years ago is a very real prospect. Bayern eased past PSG here in December and showed a dangerous Besiktas outfit no mercy during the second leg of their Last 16 encounter and I’m backing the hosts to overcome a -1.75 Asian Handicap hurdle here.
Since April 2014 Bayern have been beaten just once at the Allianz Arena on continental duty (W19-D1-L1) with 14 of their triumphs achieved by a two-goal margin or more. The Bavarians scored at least three goals on 14 occasions and have also W7-D1-L1 in knockout ties during the same sample.
