Champions League: Real Madrid v Bayern Munich match preview

A look ahead to this week’s semi-final at the Bernabeu

Karim Benzema is expected to be in action for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich (EPA)

Real Madrid are preparing for the semi-finals of the Champions League for the fourth year in a row and, against Bayern Munich, they have a special incentive to end their three year run of exiting the competition at this stage. In 2011 Los Blancos were dumped out by Barcelona, then managed by current Bayern boss Pep Guardiola, while in 2012 it was the German giants that beat them on penalties in the last four.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men saw off last year’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, yet face a much sterner test against Bayern, the current holders of the big-eared trophy. Guardiola’s side have already romped to the Bundesliga title and have lost just three times in all competitions this season. Despite being held by Manchester United in the first leg of their quarter-final, Bayern comfortably progressed to the semis, winning 3-1 in the second leg in Munich.

Bayern are looking to become the first side to retain the Champions League since its rebranding, while Real Madrid are hoping to end an obsession that has lasted over a decade; winning a tenth European Cup. The German champions welcome back Bastien Schweinsteiger from suspension, whereas Real Madrid will be buoyed by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to their starting line-up.

FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG OF THE MATCH HERE

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 2) Bayern Munich 1 (Robben), Champions League semi-finals, April 2012 (Bayern win 3-1 on penalties)

Bayern Munich 2 (Ribery, Gomez) Real Madrid 1 (Ozil), Champions League, semi-finals, April 2012

Bayern Munich 2 (Makaay, Lucio) Real Madrid 1 (van Nistelrooy), Champions League, semi-finals, March 2007 (Bayern win on away goals)

Real Madrid 3 (Raul 2, van Nistelrooy) Bayern Munich 2 (Lucio, van Bommel), Champions League, semi-finals February 2007

STATS…

Real Madrid are unbeaten in 17 Champions League home matches, dating back to April 2011 when Guardiola's Barcelona won 2-0 in the first leg of an eventual 3-1 aggregate semi-final win for the Catalans

Madrid are trying to avoid a third successive semi-final loss to German opposition. Bayern, on the other hand, can complete a hat-trick of wins over Spanish clubs at this stage.

Bayern are unbeaten in their last ten away games in the competition dating back to a 3-1 loss to FC BATE Borisov in October 2012.

The two clubs have met in five European Cup semi-finals with Bayern winning in 1976, 1987, 2001 and 2012; Madrid's sole win came in 2000.

Madrid had to overcome Bayern en route to their two most recent European Cup conquests, beating them by the same 3-2 aggregate score in the 2000 semi-finals and 2002 quarter-finals.

ODDS…

Real Madrid to win: 2.4

Bayern Munich to win: 3.0

Draw: 3.6

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm