Bayern Munich v Benfica predictions, tips, odds and lineups (Champions League - 5.4.2016)

Tuesday, 05 April 2016 14:44
Written by David Bet

Bayern Munich entertain Benfica at the Allianz Arena in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night. You can't miss our BAYERN MUNICH v BENFICA betting preview with predictions, betting tips, enhanced odds, probable line-ups, bookmakers free bets and no deposit bonuses on the Champions League!

BAYERN MUNICH v BENFICA BETTING PREVIEW

Bayern Munich are coming on the back of consecutive league wins, both by 1-0 against FC Koln and Eintracht Frankfurt and comfortably lead the Bundesliga standing with a 5 points margin over Borussia Dortmund. In the previous round, they were fortunate to progress past Juventus in extra-time having relied on two stoppage-time goals in the second leg to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate. The Bavarians have won their last 10 Champions League home games, their best ever run in the competition, scoring 40 goals and conceding only six along the way.

Pep Guardiola has been experimenting with his formation in Bundesliga, but he is likely to settle to the 4-14-1 formation for this crucial tie. Javi Martinez and Arjen Robben are doubts while Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng remain long-term absentees. Elsewhere, Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa could come into the starting XI for the hosts having started the win over Eintracht Frankfurt on the bench.

Benfica enter this match on the back of a 5-1 win over Braga on Friday and now lead the Portuguese league by five points away from city rivals Sporting. The Eagles are in good form with eight consecutive victory and just one loss in their previous 22 matches in all competitions. Furthemore, they are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run on their travels. In Champions League, Benfica advanced in the quarters via a 3-1 on aggregate win versus Russian Premier League champions Zenit St. Petersburg in the previous round.

Manager Rui Vitoria can call on Jardel following his return from suspension. Luisao is set to miss out both home and away with a broken arm while Lisandro Lopez, Luisao, Nuno Santos and Julio Cesar are also injured. Kostas Mitroglu is expected to lead the attack with an offensive trio of Jonas, Gaitan and Pizzi behind him. All eyes will be on the new rising star Renato Sanches in midfield.

This is the second consecutive season when Bayern Munich have faced Portuguese opposition in the last 8 round as 12 months ago the Bavarians had to progress the hard way, losing the opener 3-1 away to Porto before hammering them with a 6-1 triumph at the Allianz Arena.