Back BTTS Bayern win as Robert Lewandowski returns to shock Champions League holders Real Madrid

Reigning champions Real Madrid defend a 2-1 first leg lead against German giants Bayern in the Bernabeu still on course become the first team ever to defend the trophy in the Champions League era.

German champions Bayern were heading serenely for victory in Munich last week, good value for their 1-0 lead via a bullet Arturo Vidal header, with the same player presented with an excellent opportunity to double the lead on the stroke of half time from the spot. However, the Chilean midfielder Vidal blazed a wayward penalty high into the Bavarian night sky. Bayern imploded after half time with the game drastically turning in Real’s favour. That man Cristiano Ronaldo fired a second half brace to put the holders into prime position to seal a semifinal place. Bayern have their brilliant goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable and still having a sniff when they travel to Spain for the second leg.

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Crucially for Bayern, top scorer Robert Lewandowski missed the first leg with a shoulder injury and his absence proved decisive. With 46 goals in 46 games for club and country this season, Lewandowski is simply irreplaceable for the Bavarian giants, but the noises are more encouraging for the second leg. Lewandowski boasts a phenomenal record against the Spanish side, scoring all four goals for former side Borussia Dortmund when they dispatched Real in the 2013 semifinal — Sergio Ramos will still be having nightmares about the Polish striker. Bayern need to score twice to have any chance of last four spot and without the likes of injured Raphael Varane and Pepe in central defence, there will be holes in the Real defence, which Lewandowksi can exploit in his no-nonsense, clinical manner. You simply have to fancy Lewandowski’s chances of scoring at any time — 11-10 with Coral.

Rather provocatively, the bullish Champions League holders, Real Madrid did an “Arsenal” and posed for a celebratory selfie in the changing room after their narrow 2-1 win in Munich. If Real truly think they have done all the hard work, it is very premature. Bayern can definitely use the pain of these pictures as extra motivation and are a decent 15-8 with Paddy Power to win the second leg. There’s still plenty of drama still left in this tie, it’s hard to see Bayern not scoring in the Bernabeu –especially with Lewandowski set to return.

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That said, the news is less positive surrounding Germany’s World Cup winning central defenders Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, who are both struggling to be fit for Bayern. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will all fancy their chances against a probable “Bayern B backline.” Record signing Javi Martinez is also suspended following his red card in the first leg.

So both defences are set to be understrength, hence a strong fancy for BTTS. However, with Lewandowski restored to the team, BTTS Bayern win at 10-3 with BWIN is the bonus play for the day against an over-confident Madrid side.