The Champions League Final 2012 – Can Blues Beat Bayern In Their Own Backyard?

Kick Off: Saturday 19th May
Live on ITV1 7.45pm
So here we are. The pinnacle of European football. The cream of Europe has boiled down to a Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Neither team managed to win their domestic league, and Chelsea had the ordeal of yet another manager departing due to poor form, but somehow they managed to reach the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Just 11 weeks ago, The Blues were struggling in the FA Cup after a home draw to Championship side, they’d won just once in 6 league games, and a 3-1 defeat to Napoli in Naples appeared to be the writing on the wall for Chelsea.

Yet here they are, preparing to take on Bayern Munich after an epic semi final against Barcelona which claimed the appearances of John Terry, Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic due to yellow cards; a straight red in John Terry’s case.

Sky Bet Match Odds
Bayern Munich 4/5
Draw 3/1
Chelsea 16/5

Bayern Munich also have selection problems. Holger Badstuber, Luiz Gustavo, and David Alaba all miss out due to racking up cautions in their respective semi final against Real Madrid.

Munich do indeed have the advantage of a ‘home’ tie, with the final being played in their very own stadium. However, on balance, their odds do seem very short to beat the London side.

Nobody can deny that Bayern have been superb at home in the Champions League this season; They’ve won all 7 games at the Allianz Arena this term- including Manchester City and Real Madrid, and have only failed to win on 2 occasions there in this seasons domestic campaign.

Chelsea will certainly have their work cut out to lift the trophy for the first time in history, but with Bayern’s makeshift back-line, plenty of opportunities should arise- making both teams to score a very attractive looking bet at 10/11 with Sky Bet.

Choosing the actual winner of the Champions League is a very tough call, and if push came to shove, I’d have to go where the value lies, and I believe Chelsea are overpriced to take the glory at 16/5 with Sky Bet.

It’s been a long and demanding season for Chelsea, who will be largely disappointed with their efforts, but with one final push, all may be forgotten.