Valencia vs Bayern Munich: Bavarians to endure some pain in Spain

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado - so good you could kiss him

Bayern Munich have dominated the Bundesliga this season, but Kevin Hatchard hasn't been convinced by their away displays in Europe, and thinks they could come unstuck in Valencia.

Valencia vs Bayern Munich, Tue 19:45 BST, Live on Sky Sports Interactive

Match Odds: Valencia 3.65n/a, Bayern 2.1411/10, the draw 3.7511/4

With both teams locked together on nine points, this could effectively be a playoff to see who ultimately tops Group F. The market does not reflect this parity, as Bayern have been made 2.1411/10 favourites to win, a price that strikes me as being too short.

Bayern's away form in the Bundesliga this season has admittedly been outstanding. Jupp Heynckes' men have won five out of six away games in the league, although they were held 1-1 at lowly Nurnberg in the weekend's Bavarian derby. In Europe, Bayern have been less impressive on their travels. They scraped a 1-0 win away to a limited Lille side, and before that they suffered a shock 3-1 reverse against BATE Borisov in Belarus.

If those underwhelming results aren't enough to make you question Bayern's status as favourites, then it's worth examining Valencia's stellar home form. In La Liga Los Che have won five and drawn one at the Mestalla, and less than three weeks ago they beat title-chasing Atletico Madrid 2-0. In the Champions League Valencia have secured home wins against Lille (2-0) and BATE Borisov (4-2).

Valencia are also scoring plenty of goals in front of their own fans - they have rattled in 20 goals in eight home games in all competitions, and they have scored at least twice in all eight of those encounters. As usual Roberto Soldado has been at the forefront of Valencia's attack - he's scored nine goals in 16 games. Bayern have kept a lot of clean sheets this season, but against elite opposition I think there are gaps to be found, with players such as Jerome Boateng prone to lapses in concentration. The market certainly expects goals - Yes in the Both Teams to Score market is priced at an annoyingly short 1.625/8, while Over 2.5 Goals is available at 1.768/11.

Bayern outplayed Valencia in a 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena earlier in the group stage, but I'm expecting a much tighter affair in Spain, especially given Valencia's fine home form. I like the look of backing the draw in the Half Time market at 2.285/4, and I would find a way to oppose Bayern. You could either lay them, or back Valencia +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.09n/a, which gives you a half-win if there's a draw.

Recommended Bets: Back the draw at Half Time at 2.285/4

Back Valencia +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.09n/a