How to bet Bayern-Real Madrid
<CITE class=source>By James Eastham
ESPN INSIDER
We're down to the final four teams in the UEFA Champions League, including reigning champs Bayern Munich, nine-time winners Real Madrid, 2012 champions Chelsea and this season’s surprise club, Atletico Madrid.It’s Champions League semifinal week, and after Chelsea and Atletico Madrid played to a scoreless draw on Tuesday, Bayern and Real square off Wednesday. After finding six winners from eight picks in the quarterfinals, here’s my take on the fixture Wednesday.
Real Madrid (home) vs. Bayern Munich
Asian handicap: Real Madrid -0.25 (+110) vs. Bayern Munich +0.25 (-118)
3-way line: Real Madrid +145 / Bayern Munich +200 / Draw +260
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 73 percent Real Madrid
Total: 2.75 (Over +100, Under -105)
There are plenty of reasons to support Bayern Munich to win or draw in Madrid on Wednesday night and then go on to reach the final. The historic stats are on their side: The Germans have won four of six semifinal head-to-heads and three of the last four knockout ties against Real in this competition; Bayern manager Pep Guardiola has a fabulous 9-2-4 record against Los Merengues from his time as manager of Barcelona; and of course, as holders, Bayern are still recognised as Europe’s foremost side.
Yet Bayern’s unconvincing performance for three-quarters of their quarterfinal against an ordinary Manchester United side raises questions about the Bundesliga champions. Their patient, probing style has sometimes lacked a penetrative edge, and while they may fashion chances more readily against risk-taking Real, the fact they conceded in both legs against Man United must be a concern considering Real’s superior firepower.
The latest reports suggest Cristiano Ronaldo should be fit for the game on Wednesday night, and the presence of the tournament’s top scorer (14 goals) would hand the home side a massive boost. There is little to choose between these two sides, so the favorites are the more appealing pick.
The pick: Real Madrid -0.25 Asian Handicap (+110)
Asian handicap
The Asian handicap betting eliminates the draw and provides the possibility of getting your stakes back (depending on the bet you place). For example, if you back a team at 0 Asian handicap, your stakes will be returned if the game ends in a draw (as the handicap has been equaled).
If you back a team -1 Asian handicap and the team you've backed wins by a single goal, your stakes will be returned (as the handicap has been equaled). This safety net of having your stakes returned is the primary difference between Asian handicap and handicap betting
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<CITE class=source>By James Eastham
ESPN INSIDER
We're down to the final four teams in the UEFA Champions League, including reigning champs Bayern Munich, nine-time winners Real Madrid, 2012 champions Chelsea and this season’s surprise club, Atletico Madrid.It’s Champions League semifinal week, and after Chelsea and Atletico Madrid played to a scoreless draw on Tuesday, Bayern and Real square off Wednesday. After finding six winners from eight picks in the quarterfinals, here’s my take on the fixture Wednesday.
Asian handicap: Real Madrid -0.25 (+110) vs. Bayern Munich +0.25 (-118)
3-way line: Real Madrid +145 / Bayern Munich +200 / Draw +260
PickCenter public consensus money line pick: 73 percent Real Madrid
Total: 2.75 (Over +100, Under -105)
There are plenty of reasons to support Bayern Munich to win or draw in Madrid on Wednesday night and then go on to reach the final. The historic stats are on their side: The Germans have won four of six semifinal head-to-heads and three of the last four knockout ties against Real in this competition; Bayern manager Pep Guardiola has a fabulous 9-2-4 record against Los Merengues from his time as manager of Barcelona; and of course, as holders, Bayern are still recognised as Europe’s foremost side.
Yet Bayern’s unconvincing performance for three-quarters of their quarterfinal against an ordinary Manchester United side raises questions about the Bundesliga champions. Their patient, probing style has sometimes lacked a penetrative edge, and while they may fashion chances more readily against risk-taking Real, the fact they conceded in both legs against Man United must be a concern considering Real’s superior firepower.
The latest reports suggest Cristiano Ronaldo should be fit for the game on Wednesday night, and the presence of the tournament’s top scorer (14 goals) would hand the home side a massive boost. There is little to choose between these two sides, so the favorites are the more appealing pick.
The pick: Real Madrid -0.25 Asian Handicap (+110)
Asian handicap
The Asian handicap betting eliminates the draw and provides the possibility of getting your stakes back (depending on the bet you place). For example, if you back a team at 0 Asian handicap, your stakes will be returned if the game ends in a draw (as the handicap has been equaled).
If you back a team -1 Asian handicap and the team you've backed wins by a single goal, your stakes will be returned (as the handicap has been equaled). This safety net of having your stakes returned is the primary difference between Asian handicap and handicap betting
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