It is quite clear who is a favourite to win and reach the quarter-finals, and that is especially visible in the 1st leg when Bayern is the host. The Bavarians are in great shape, they have been invicinble in the Bundesliega for a very long time and the title is practically theirs. On the other hand Besiktask is facing far more hurdles and it is questionable will it defend the title of Turkish champion, although it has been also undefeated in the Super Lig for a long time. Last weekend Besiktas only drew, while Bayern struggled but won in Wolfsburg. Bayern won both their two previous head-to-head in the Champions League by 2-0.
Bayern’s winning streak looks really impressive; it is nine consecutive wins in the league, which brought them 19-point advantage over 2nd-placed Borussia. That is why the Bavarians can fully focus on the Champions League and two coming matches with Besiktas. it can be said that draw was gentle to them especially as they had ended up as second in their group, behind PSG, and could have easily get much stronger opponent.
Bayern minimally won in two previous league round by the same result. It won Schalke 04 in Munich 2-1, and all goals were scored in the first halftime, while Wolfsgurg was defeated after trailing behind, while the winning goal was scored from penalty in the stoppage time. A bit earlier Robben missed the penalty, while on the pitch was significantly changed team. That is why we expect many changes in Bayern team this time.
Probable lineups Bayern Munich: Ulreich – Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba – Tolisso, Vidal – Robben, J. Rodriguez, Ribery – Lewandowski
Besiktas doesn’t manage to get the right rhythm this season. Defeats are not problem for this team as it lost just three, however, there are many draws, which is why Besiktas is fourth in the table and has five points fewer than leading Basaksehir, which will face near the end of season. At two previous away matches Beskitas drew with Bursaspor and Konyaspor, although those teams are positioned in the lower part of table and four valuable points were lost forever.
Besiktas was close to lose in Bursa, but they were lucky. Fact that is still undefeated at home brings little consolation. It should be said that Besiktas was one of rare teams who remained undefeated in the group phase of Champions League and this team fully deservedly won the first place, although it cannot be said that has resulted with easier opponent in first round of knockout phase. They lost forward Tosun in the winter transfer window, but they brought Wagner Love, Vida and Larin. Tore is injured now and he will not take part in this match, but the rest of the team is very strong, at least on paper.
Probable lineups Besiktas: Fabri – Gonul, Pepe, Toaic, Adriano – Hutchinson, Arslan – Quaresma, Talisca, Babel – Negredo
Bayern is in very good shape and this team has room to rest players with rotations in the league. We deem that the Bavarians are absolute favourites to win this match. Besiktas has good team, which however, doesn’t play that good, especially outside their stadium. That is something that can hardly get corrected in Munich.
Pick: Asian handicap
-2.25 Bayern 1.96 - 96/100 @1XBet