Villarreal welcomes Bayern Munich to El Madrigal Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich odds and lines, and make our best Champions League bets, picks and predictions.
Villarreal did the unexpected and took down Juventus in the first knockout stage round, winning 4-1 on aggregate.
With a 9-2-4 home record, Villarreal sits 7th on the La Liga table. It is led by F Gerard Moreno who has scored 8 goals in 15 matches. In 30 games, Villarreal has scored 48 goals and allowed 29.
As for Bayern, it is among the favorites to win the entire league. It is led by star F Robert Lewandowski. The 33-year-old has scored 31 goals in 28 appearances this season.
Bayern sits atop the Bundeglisia and averages an incredible 2.36 points per game. It beat RB Salzburg 8-2 on aggregate in the first knockout stage round.
Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 8:16 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Villarreal +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Bayern Munich -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Draw +360 (bet $100 to win $360)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -175 | U: +135)
[tipico]
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2, Villarreal 0
Money line (ML)
PASS.
You won’t be catching me hanging a -190 on a road favorite, although I do think Bayern comes out on top.
My favorite bet in this game is BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE at +110. Bayern has shut out its opponents in 4 of 8 Champions League matches and it has had yet to allow over 1.0 expected goals for its opponents.
GK Manuel Neuer is among the best in the world. While Villareal did hang 3 on Juventus in the second leg, 2 of those were penalties and all 3 were within the last 20 minutes.
I expect Bayern to have more success despite being on the road.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS with a lean to the UNDER 2.5 (+135).
Given Bayern put 7 on RB Salzburg, I can’t give this out as a strong play, but typically at this round, both teams are competent. Villarreal has allowed 29 goals in 30 games.
It has a solid defense and should be able to limit Bayern, who scored 1 against RB in the first leg.
On the road as well, it could struggle to break down a Villarreal team that should aim to limit goals rather than keeping up with Bayern’s attack. The Under is a slight lean as the Over 2.5 at -175 offers unplayable value.
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