Bayern Munich v Besiktas – Bayern’s experience and class to show

Under Carlo Ancelotti, the king of management in the Champions League, Bayern Munich seemed liked a beatable outfit. They were lacklustre and didn’t boast the dominance and consistency that’s become synonymous with the Bavarian juggernaut.

Working under the premise of ‘it’s better the devil you know’ Bayern reverted to Jupp Heynckes on a temporary basis as the 72-year-old took control of his third stint at the club. Fortunately, he’s managed to restore normal practice at Säbener-Staße.

The betting

Finding a betting angle for Bayern Munich is never easy, simply because aside from visits to Borussia Dortmund they are rarely found above 4/5, and even that isn’t a formality. Moreover, they can be extremely unpredictable defensively so banking on a clean sheet has a degree of danger.

Bayern have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven home matches across all competitions, although the level of competition has been relatively strong as Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim, Schalke and PSG are scattered in there.

In addition to this, Besiktas are good in front of goal. Despite residing fourth in the Turkish Super Liga, they are bettered by only Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the scoring chats. However, there’s something stopping me from backing both sides to score.

Experience

The knockout stages of the Champions League are vicious, there is quite literally no greater competition in club football. Besiktas find themselves at this stage for the first time in the competition’s history, and it could be where Bayern excel.

The Turkish side did well to get to this stage, although it must be said the group they were presented with was relatively fortuitous. Despite this, they should be commended on being able to maintain an unbeaten record throughout it.

However, playing the first leg away from home is going to be a big factor for Besiktas, as to have a remote chance of advancing through this stage they must take a recoverable result back to Turkey, so naturally they’re going to sit deep.

This is where I going to oppose the away side scoring, and whilst it won’t be an easy ride to keep a clean sheet. I’m hoping the sheer gap in quality comes to the fore to allow Bayern to keep Besiktas at bay in the Allianz Arena.