Villarreal v Bayern Munich predictions: Take Bayern to edge a thriller

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Villarreal v Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Bayern Munich to win and both teams to score
1pt 2-1 bet365

Yeremi Pino to score first
1pt eachway 18-1 bet365

Team news

Villarreal
Alberto Moreno misses out with injury. Boulaye Dia and Samuel Chukwueze are both doubts.

Bayern Munich
Corentin Tolisso, Eric Choupo-Moting and Alphonso Davies are all set to miss out.

Match preview

Villarreal pulled off a major coup by knocking out Juventus in the last round of the Champions League but the ties don’t get any easier as they host Bayern Munich in the first leg of this quarter-final.

The Yellow Submarine picked up their first major trophy with Europa League victory over Manchester United last season, gaining them passage into this competition, and they have continued to punch above their weight on the European stage.

Unai Emery’s men recovered from going behind after 30 seconds to secure a 1-1 draw from their first leg against Juve before a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Turin, aided by two second-half penalties.

They rode their luck at times in that game, particularly in the first half, but were clinical on the counter in the second 45, and they will need more of the same if they are to stand any chance in this clash.

The pace of tricky forwards Arnaut Danjuma and Yeremi Pino will also be key to stretch the Bayern backline and the midfield stability of Etienne Capoue and Dani Parejo will be needed to thwart the German champions.

Perhaps as a result of their Champions League escapades, Villarreal’s league form has taken a hit and they have lost three of their last four games, including twice to teams in the bottom four. However their full attention now turns to Bayern.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men saw off Salzburg in ruthless fashion in the last round, winning 8-2 on aggregate, and the six-time winners of Europe’s greatest prize look as if they will take some stopping again this year.

The first leg 1-1 draw in Austria was the first game they have failed to win in Europe this season after they breezed through their group against Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica.

The Bavarian side have scored 30 goals in their eight Champions League ties this campaign, an average of almost four a game.

Despite their supreme attacking talents, Bayern have struggled to keep clean sheets in recent weeks, with both teams scoring in nine of their last 11 games in all competitions.

Villarreal have also netted in all but one of their eight Champions League games this season and were unfortunate to blank in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Bayern’s attacking juggernaut may be difficult for even a well-organised Villarreal side to slow but the Spanish outfit can still get on the scoresheet.

Given the talent going forward on display in this game the top of the first-goalscorer market is packed with star names, but a player who may have flown under the radar is Villarreal’s youngster Yeremi Pino.

The 19-year-old is one of the most highly touted prospects in Spain and has six goals in 19 starts in La Liga this campaign. He also opened his account for the Spanish national team last month so won’t lack confidence.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in nine of Bayern's last 11 games in all competitions

Inside info

Villarreal

Penalty taker Gerard Moreno/Arnaut Danjuma
Free-kick wizardDani Parejo
Set-piece aerial threatPau Torres
Card magnetEtienne Capoue

Bayern Munich

Penalty taker Robert Lewandowski
Free-kick wizard Leroy Sane
Set-piece aerial threat Robert Lewandowski
Card magnet Lucas Hernandez

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