PEP GUARDIOLA returns to Barcelona tonight and for once he could leave the Nou Camp a broken man.
Bayern Munich's coach is sure to be given a hero's reception but the team he left behind have been growing in stature and take a giant leap to the Final.
Guardiola knows more about Lionel Messi than most but it could be a player he didn't sign who causes the damage in the first leg.
After a slow start to his Catalan career Luis Suarez has emerged as a key man for Luis Enrique with 10 goals in his last eight games.
The Uruguayan is one third of a formidable frontline with Messi and Neymar and they've grabbed 108 goals between them this season.
Messi has 51 of those but eight of Barca's last nine Champions League strikes have come from Suarez or Neymar.
I'm on Suarez to score first at 5-1 with bet365. Messi is 7-2 at William Hill with Neymar also 5-1. With Suarez being big you can have him at 28-17 with 888sport to net at any time.
Barca are 8-11 with Hills to win tonight and 4-6 at BetVictor to qualify. Bayern are 19-4 at boylesports and 7-5 at Ladbrokes to reach the Final.
Guardiola's side recovered superbly to reach the semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat away to Porto and that result is worrying. Arjen Robben, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba are out and Franck Ribery still has ankle ankle problems.
Javi Martinez is just back after a nine-month absence and Robert Lewandowski will play with a face mask after his jaw and nose were broken last week. I can't back a Bayern side well short of full strength and fully expect Real to do the business tonight.
Recommended Bets
Barcelona
(8-11, William Hill)
Suarez to score
(28-17, 888sport)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
GambleAware
I like Muller anytime @ 12/5
Muller is Bayern’s top scorer overall with 20 and leads their CL scorers with 6 in 8 (scored in 5 different games), he also grabbed 3 goals in that 7-0 aggregate win against Barca couple of seasons back which bodes well for me after Ronaldo delivered with his past record against Juve. If Bayern are going to grab an away goal (which I believe they will), he’s my favourite to get it.
Stuck choosing between the choice of the risk free bet on a safer option in Suarez/Neymar for £125 or on a slightly riskier Muller for £170.
Get on Bayern to win the Champions League at 12/5…They’ll cause Barca problems and once they get through they’ll beat a Juventus or Real Madrid side in the final
Neymar Anytime @ 6/4 @ 365
Has accounted for 40% of Barcelonas goals at home in the Champions League, scored 7 goals in his last 7 games. If Rafihna plays at right back then he could have a long night ahead of him. Like Mr F I think you could make a case for Messi and Suarez but I’ll go with the Brazilian as he’s usually the one that is overlooked when you’re defending against Suarez and Messi.
Fully expect barca Mr f, u put real mate
Barca and btts never underestimate the Germans for an away goal regardless who they play bal1986
Fiver free bet on 3-1 barca with Coral @ 14/1.
Can’t see past barca andbtts so as its a free bet I’ll go for the score
Surely we can use the inplay offer from Bet365 and PaddyPower to our advantage this evening.
Prematch Bets- Barca win £50 Stake returns £87.50
Paddy Power- Draw £37.50 then put the £10 free bet on the Draw too for returns around £171.00
In Play Bet- £50 Risk Free bet on Munich win. £250 returns
Overall Stake £137.50
Barcalona returns – £137.50 ….£0 profit
Draw returns – £171 …. £33.5 profit
Munich Returns £250 … £112.5 Profit
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Think Both teams to score is a must tonight in what I believe will be a high scoring game. Bayern played on the counter attack in the tie at the Nou Camp in 2013 and it worked effectively as they came away 3-0 victory, this tie could be very different under Pep Guardiola however as both sides look to dictate play. Cant see past Suarez and Muller in the anytime goalscorer markets while ill be having a small punt on a few small stakes fun bets.
Main bets:
Both teams to score 4/5 Bet365
Luis Suarez (Anytime) 28/17 888Sport
Thomas Muller (Anytime) 13/4 888Sport
Fun bets:
Barcelona 4-2 (Correct score) 66/1 Ladbrokes
Xabi Alonso (Anytime) 15/1 888Sport
Could someone just double check this inplay Bet365 idea .. thx
Bet £115 @ 1.75 (Bet Vict) = 86.25 – 50 = 36.25 profit
Bet £50 @ 4.0 (Bet365) = 150 – 115 = 35 profit
Bet £50 @ 5.0 (Bet365) = 200 – 115 – 50 = 35 profit
I have taken stake back on each for initial return ie 86.25 is from 201.25 – 115
1.75 (Barcelona) , 4.0 (Draw) , 5.0 (Bayern) :)
Anyone else fancy barca – 1 @ 9/5 as they’ve been banging the goals in lately.and bayern got a few injuries ..agree with Suarez score anytime tho.
-1 BARCA to win tonight with bet 365 7/4, stake at £50, will also use the inplay offer , either suarez/neymar to score anytime or HTFT barca to win, still to decide
I’m doing a bit of a Harpreet and predicting a penalty for Barcelona tonight. And after doing a little research the stats aren’t actually that bad!
Bayern have conceded 2 pens in their 5 away games in the Champions League this season. In the last round at Porto, and in the group stage at Man City, and both were converted.
Barcelona have won pens in their last 2 matches.
Barcelona to score a penalty @ 6/1
Barcelona to miss a penalty @ 18/1
Going to hold off placing my pre match bet until the game appears in play, if this market is open in play then I’ll place the pre match bet on Barca scoring a pen at 6/1, and the in play bet on them missing a pen at 18/1.
And remember, with this bet both could be winners in the unlikely event Barcelona get 2 penalties and score 1 & miss 1!
Just read that back & I probably should have worded the 1st line a bit better! It’s not a dig Harpreet if that’s how you perceive it! But in response to the 16/1 1st goal free kick tip you gave in the Hull v Arsenal game the other night.
Should have worded it as
I’m taking a leaf out of Harpreet’s book and predicting a penalty for Barcelona tonight. And after doing a little research the stats aren’t actually that bad!
Messi anytime at 7/5…can’t resist
Would this bet be alright and not break any rules then?
Pre-match: Barca or Bayern to win
In-play: Draw
Yes to above comment i did it last night
50 on barca win
Inplay 50 on suarez anytime
Won lastnite so at worst will get 50 bk in bank wat i started with. Safeishhhh bets but no point doin owt to risky eh
-1 BARCA handicap @ 2-1 it went off at with 365 **WIN*** £50 stake
Neymar to score first 5-1 @bet365 ***LOSE***
Shouldn’t have got greedy and played him goal anytime , however saying that he missed an absolute sitter at 0-0 in the first half