WHAT was set-up as a final match Group D decider between Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich has turned out to be a dead rubber.
The two group giants meet at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night in a match that looked destined to determine who would top the group, but Atletico have already guaranteed top spot and Bayern will join them in the last 16 with runners-up position and that means this is tough to call.
When scenarios like this arise it’s very hard to gauge which one of the two sides will be taking the match the more serious of the two, and on this occasion, I believe it’s a game that neither side will care too much about.
Bayern Favourites with the Bookies
Bayern has been installed the 1.66 favourites with William Hill, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been far from impressive both domestically and in the Champions League.
The five-times champions of Europe were beaten 3-2 in Russia by Rostov in their last Champions League match, and are sitting in second in the domestic table behind surprise leaders Leipzig. With some crucial domestic matches approaching, including a massive home match with the league leaders, Ancelotti may decide to rest players for this dead rubber.
Last season’s Champions League runners-up Atletico have a 100 percent group record, winning all five of their matches only conceding the one goal in the process, and Diego Simone’s side look a big price at the 6.00 to win in Germany.
Atletico is right in the mix yet again in the La Liga shake-up, and at the weekend they have a massive match against Villarreal. With them already guaranteed top spot, that match is certain to take priority. Simone also looks likely to ring the changes, and with doubts surrounding the strength of both sides starting XI’s the draw looks the most appealing play in the match markets at a huge 4.00 with Bet365.
Differing Styles
These two sides are vastly different in the way the play football, with Bayern full of attacking flair and Atletico one of the strongest, if not the strongest defensive units in Europe.
This is a real difficult one to have a strong view on the goal markets as they could throw the shackles off and really go all out, or they could just go through the motions in a low scoring dull affair; I am going to take a chance on the later.
Under 2.5 is 1.91 with Coral, and that has been a winning bet in four of Atletico’s five Champions League matches; at 11.00 with William Hill, I am taking a real left-field punt on no goalscorer in Bavaria.
Betfair:
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Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
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Coral:
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Bet365:
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