Champions League
2026-04-07 - Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg
Tuesday 7th April 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Real Madrid
Many Real Madrid managers are judged on how they perform in the Champions League ahead of even domestic matters, but the fans are going to be frustrated with the 7 point gap that has opened up between their club and rivals Barcelona in La Liga. Changes are expected in the summer with the Xabi Alonso appointment not working as hoped and Real Madrid are in the tougher side of the Champions League bracket in their bid to get to another Final.
They won the Champions League in 2022 and 2024, but Real Madrid were dumped out in the Quarter Final twelve months ago. That defeat was suffered against Arsenal as Real Madrid lost both ties, but they have beaten Benfica and Manchester City in Knock Out ties this season and Real Madrid have won 5 of the 6 home games played in the competition.
Real Madrid had won 5 in a row in all competitions going into the March international break, but that run was ended in the late 2-1 loss at Mallorca this past weekend. The side lost that fixture away from the Santiago Bernebeu, but Real Madrid will feel confident back at home where they have won 10 of the last 11 games played.
Jude Bellingham has been missing, but returned as a substitute in the defeat at Mallorca, while Federico Valverde is available after serving a domestic suspension.
Bayern Munich
Things have returned to normal in Germany where Bayern Munich are very much on course to win another Bundesliga title. However, Vincent Kompany will know that he needs a strong Champions League performance to prove himself of being the right man to lead Bayern Munich forward and they are amongst the favourites to win it all in May.
After making short work of Atalanta in the Last 16, Bayern Munich are aware that the challenges will be much greater in the Quarter Final and beyond. Since winning the Champions League in 2020, Bayern Munich have only reached one Semi Final, but this is the seventh year in a row they have forced their way into the last eight. The side have won 4 of the 5 away Champions League games played this season.
Bayern Munich allowed key players to earn a bit of rest in the trip to Freiburg this past weekend, but they needed three goals from the 81st minute to secure a 2-3 victory. They are now unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and Bayern Munich have won 11 of those fixtures. The away form has been just as impressive with Bayern Munich unbeaten in 13 on their travels and have won 11 of those fixtures also.
Harry Kane has to be considered a doubt after missing England duty and also being absent in the trip to Freiburg. A stronger Bayern Munich will be selected from the start on Tuesday with the hopes Kane will be able to lead the line and with Michael Olise being restored.
Head to Head
Two giants of European Football have a deep history of playing one another and the winner of recent ties have gone on to win the Champions League.
That was the case two years ago when Real Madrid edged past Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the Semi Final of the competition.
2014, 2017 and 2018 were seasons that Real Madrid also beat Bayern Munich and eventually became European Champions.
The last time Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid in a Knock Out tie was back in 2012, but they were beaten in the Final in their own Stadium by Chelsea on a Penalty Shoot Out.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in 8 at home against Bayern Munich and have won 7 of those fixtures.
Prediction
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich is a huge European tie no matter when it is played with the two clubs having a seriously impressive history in the European Cup/Champions League.
The winning team is going to feel like the favourite to reach the Final, but neither can afford to think too far beyond the two Legs to be played against one another.
On current form it is no surprise that Bayern Munich are favourites to progress, but it is something of a surprise that they are the short priced favourites to win the First Leg in the Santiago Bernebeu.
Real Madrid have a strong record here over the last couple of months and they have historically made things very difficult for Bayern Munich when visiting. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde could be brought into the starting lineup and Real Madrid have shown they can pick themselves up and produce their best in the Champions League, even when struggling domestically.
They will get forward and cause problems for a Bayern Munich team that have defensive vulnerabilities, but the Bundesliga leaders are going to feel they can offer plenty of threat when they get into the final third too.
A thumping win over Atalanta in the Last 16 will have given the group a lot of confidence, but Bayern Munich will be hoping Harry Kane can return to lead the line. There is quality behind him and it would be a real disappointment if the two ties against Real Madrid are not entertaining viewing for the neutrals.
The removal of the away goals rule has allowed teams to express themselves a little more and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich should only play with an attacking mindset.
Bayern Munich's poor record here cannot be ignored, but games between these teams tend to be filled with goals and that is likely going to be the case in the First Leg on Tuesday evening.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich
