Robert Lewandowski the man to bank on for Bayern Munich

Champions League quarter-final first leg
BT Sport 3, 7.45pm Tuesday

Jose Mourinho was of the opinion that Sevilla were one of Europe's elite sides but Bayern Munich could disprove that theory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Bayern have been well supported to take a lead back to Munich and, while it looks the most likely result, the current prices are much nearer the mark than the opening odds of 5-6.

Those still wanting to support Bayern may find it worth heading to other markets with Robert Lewandowski preferred to open the scoring at 11-4.

Lewandowski has scored 26 Bundesliga goals in as many matches this season - nobody else in the Bayern squad has more than seven league goals - and he has also been their most prolific marksman in the Champions League with five goals.

The Polish scoring sensation hit a hat-trick against his former club Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's 6-0 romp, the third time in the last ten matches that Bayern have won by that scoreline.

And when they hit teams for six it is usually Lewandowski who fills his boots. Bayern have scored 49 times in 14 fixtures in 2018 and Lewandowski is on 14 goals for the calendar year.

Jupp Heynckes has calmed the club since returning to Munich following their turbulent early-season worries under Carlo Ancelotti and there is a nice balance to the Germans' squad.

Sevilla team profile

Bayern team profile

There are World Cup winners at the back with Javi Martinez just in front of Thiago Alcantara and Arturo Vidal in the midfield three, while old favourites Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery struggle to make the starting 11 on a regular basis these days with Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez more likely to fill the wide positions.

Club-record signing Corentin Tolisso can't even get into the team and Bayern seem to have timed their run to perfection in terms of being primed to perform when it matters most.

Sevilla have lost only one of their last ten European home games and deservedly saw off Manchester United in the last 16.

However, United played into Sevilla's hands with two defensive performances, failing to penetrate their weakness which remains at the heart of the back four.

If Bayern play with purpose they should land a positive result and Lewandowski is the man most likely to to do the damage.

Recommendation
R Lewandowski first goalscorer
1pt 11-4 general

Bundesliga standings

Match odds

Team news
Sevilla
Ever Banega is suspended and Miguel Layun is cup-tied. Jesus Navas is expected to overcome a minor knock.

Bayern Munich
Long-term injury victims Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman are Bayern's only absentees.

Key stat
Bayern have scored in 30 of their 31 matches since sacking Carlo Ancelotti.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport