Updated Bayern Champions League odds as Real Madrid ghost banished in Munich
You can never write off Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. Bayern Munich know that only too well. Los Blancos have beaten their Bavarian counterparts in each of the last four knockout meetings between the two heavyweights, each victory more heartbreaking than the last. And it looked as though that would be the case in the second leg of this year's quarterfinals.
Bayern picked up a 2-1 win in the first leg in the Bernabeu with goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane, either side of half-time, enough to secure the win. In the second leg at the Allianz Arena, however, Real showcased exactly why they have such a special relationship with this competition.
Olise Seals Wild Bayern Win
Arda Guler gave the visitors the lead after barely 30 seconds when veteran Bayern goalkeeper carelessly gave the ball away, and the Turk curled home from all of 35 yards. Aleksandar Pavlović leveled from a Joshua Kimmich corner just five minutes later, but Guler was on hand to give the record 15-time champions the lead once more when he bent a free kick into the top corner. Again, Bayern equalized, with Kane's smart finish, but once more, Los Blancos would roar back to life, Kylian Mbappé slotting home after a rapid-fire counterattack.
A wild first half finished 3-2 to the victors, with the game level at 4-4 on aggregate. The second half would prove to be a more low-key affair. The hosts had most of the ball but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Real, meanwhile, looked menacing every time Mbappé and strike partner Vinicius Jr. got the ball. However, the pendulum swung decisively in the 86th minute when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for a second bookable offence, with the referee deeming that the French midfielder threw the ball away in protest at a decision to award a foul.
With Real a man down, Bayern pounced. Luis Diaz's deflected strike from the edge of the area made the contest 3-3 on the night but handed the German giants the lead on aggregate. Then, with the last kick of the game, Michael Olise cut in from the right wing and curled a stunning strike into the top corner to seal a thrilling 4-3 win and secure Vincent Kompany's men a spot in the semifinals.
Online betting sites have now priced up each of the four remaining teams in the competition. But who do they think will lift the famous 'Big-Eared' trophy in Budapest at the end of May? Let's take a look.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have been second-favorites all season long. However, after seeing off Real Madrid, they now find themselves in the position of outright favorite as the latest soccer betting at Bovada odds list them as the clear 7/4 frontrunner. But if they are to live up to the billing, they will have to find a way to dethrone reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, with the two teams set to square off in the semifinals.
Both teams seemingly already have their respective domestic leagues wrapped up, with Bayern nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and PSG four points clear (with a game in hand) in Ligue 1. That should allow them to rest their star players and ensure they are fully fit for their crunch semifinal, a contest in which both teams will fancy their chances of winning.
Arsenal
Arsenal are the team that Bayern have been behind in the betting charts all season. But the Gunners are now 2/1 second-favorites, and considering their recent form, that's unsurprising. Mikel Arteta's side looked on course for a famous quadruple this term, but in recent weeks, the wheels have fallen off. The League Cup defeat to Manchester City started the collapse, then Southampton piled on further misery in the FA Cup, before Bournemouth derailed their title challenge with a 2-1 win at the Emirates.
In the Champions League against Sporting CP, it was another unconvincing performance. Kai Havertz's last-gasp winner in the first leg in Lisbon handed Arsenal a 1-0 lead to defend in the second leg at the Emirates and defend it they did. Infuriatingly so. Despite being considered the far better team, the Gunners opted to sit on their one-goal lead, and in the end, a goalless draw was enough to send them through. However, the result did little to convince onlookers that their recent downturn in form shows any sign of improvement.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain are the defending champions, and just like 12 months ago, they look to be hitting form at the perfect time. Luis Enrique's men stuttered throughout the first half of the season, both domestically and in the Champions League, with league phase losses to Bayern and Sporting, as well as draws with Athletic Bilbao and Newcastle, which had many thinking the French outfit ran out of steam when they lifted the trophy for the first time last term.
However, their last two continental ties have dispelled those rumors with authority. The Parisians dismantled Chelsea in the round of 16, winning 5-2 at home and 3-0 away to seal an 8-2 aggregate drubbing, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netting three goals across the tie. They then beat Liverpool 2-0 in Paris and 2-0 again at Anfield to seal another resounding win and punch their tickets to a third straight semifinal, where Bayern lies in wait.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid, as ever, are the underdogs. But manager Diego Simeone won't care one bit. His side were 25/1 before the quarterfinals got underway. Now, after seeing off the challenge of compatriots and La Liga champions-elect Barcelona across two riveting legs, they are listed at 15/2.
They face Arsenal in the semifinals, and considering the Gunners' recent plight, Atleti will fancy their chances. Arteta's men have become known for their negative tactics this year, but no one does anti-football better than Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid. If the Gunners bring the same tactics to this contest, Los Rojiblancos will be licking their lips, and a first final since 2016 could well beckon.
