by Tom Allen
Not the Champions League final one might have predicted but fascinating
nonetheless and Bayern Munich are hard to oppose with home advantage.
It is the first time since Rome staged the 1984 showpiece that a side has
played for European football's greatest prize in their own stadium and while the
Italians were beaten on penalties in front of the their supporters 28 years ago
I'm not expecting the hosts to slip up this time around.
The 2012 Bundesliga runners-up would have been a very confident selection had
they not capitulated in the German Cup final to champions Borussia Dortmund on
the weekend, losing 5-2, but their overall form this season has been excellent
and that result is very much viewed as a one-off.
This match is notable not least for the fact that seven players that would
have been expected to start the final are missing through suspension but
indiscipline has hit Chelsea harder than their opponents.
The loss of John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and Ramires will
hurt the Premier League side but they have been given a boost with the news that
Gary Cahill and David Luiz should be fit to take their place in the heart of the
defence.
Although Bayern shipped five goals in Berlin on their way to collecting
another runners-up medal, their rearguard has been magnificent at the Allianz
Arena where they conceded just six times in the German top flight all season.
Having won all seven home matches since August in this competition, beating
English champions Manchester City in the group stage 2-0 and the mighty Real
Madrid 2-1 in the last four, Chelsea face a massive task and surely they will
have to score twice to stand any chance of stopping the red juggernaut.
Bayern have plundered an incredible 76 goals in 25 matches on their own turf
during this campaign and, with Chelsea's form far from convincing on the road,
it will take an almighty effort from Roberto Di Matteo's players to keep Mario
Gomez and his chums at bay.
Despite their Nou Camp heroics, Chelsea are not the side of old under Jose
Mourinho and it is worth taking a punt on Bayern's attackers to really enjoy
themselves.
Bayern are 11/2 with
William Hill to score three goals, 10/1 to bag four or more, and that's the
play for me in a match offering thousands of betting opportunities.
Either of those selections would have landed in exactly half of Bayern's last
24 matches on home soil and look decent value in a match set to be dominated by
the respective forward lines.
It should be an open affair and will hopefully offer a fitting end to what
has been another memorable Champions League campaign.
2pts Back Bayern Munich To Score 3 Goals (vs. Chelsea) @ 11/2 (William
Hill)
1pt Back Bayern Munich To Score 4+ Goals (vs. Chelsea) @ 10/1 (William Hill)
