Real Madrid eye final, possible 11th Champions League title
The Champions League semi-final fixtures are out and the final four of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich will fancy their chances of making it to Milan this season.
Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the semi-finals and Atletico Madrid will host Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. After the final of 2014, another all-Spanish Champions League final is very much on the cards here.
Most people would have expected the tournament’s favourites Barcelona to make it to the final four, but the elimination of the Catalans has now made Real Madrid a Champions League betting favourite to lift the coveted title.
Los Blancos struggled to get past Wolfsburg initially, but the first leg result in Germany was nothing more than an accident. Zinedine Zidane’s side are one the finest in Europe right now and with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way, they are a force to be reckoned with.
This is Manchester City’s first semi-final appearances and it will be interesting to see how the Premier League giants cope with the occasion.
As for Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, Guardiola has an admirable record against Diego Simeone. Although, Atletico are a different side now and Guardiola is not managing one of the greatest club teams ever.
The Germans will be favourites to go through over the course of two legs but if you fancy an upset here then Atletico Madrid are the team to do so with their ability to snuff out opposition attacks and Bayern's poor defending in the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.
Real Madrid are strong favourites to beat Manchester City and are 2/5 with Sky Bet to qualify for the final.
As for the competition favourites, Bayern are leading with way with the bookies. Bet365 are backing the Germans 6/4 to win the title this season but our money is on Madrid - although whoever Zidane and co face in the final will be their toughest opponents of the season.
Despite Bayern’s dip in form since the turn of the year, they are arguably the strongest team in terms of quality, depth and consistency. However, a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid are certainly capable of claiming Europe’s top honour come May.