Vinicius Junior could wreck Harry Kane’s Champions League dream
Vinicius Junior scored twice in the first leg in Munich (Picture: Getty Images)
Harry Kane left Tottenham to win trophies with Bayern Munich but he will finish his first season with the German giants without any silverware if they lose their Champions League semi-final, second leg with Real Madrid.
The European powerhouses slugged out a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena last week with Kane scoring from the penalty spot and the England captain will probably have to find the net again at the Bernabeu if his side are to advance to the final at Wembley on Saturday, June 1.
It’s sad Kane will most likely face a prolonged wait to win a major competition as the 30-year-old Londoner has already enjoyed an excellent career and is arguably the greatest striker of his generation and one of the best ever.
He’s England and Spurs’ leading goalscorer, has won World Cup and Premier League Golden Boots and he’s has broken all types of records in the Bundesliga, including a record fourth hat-trick in a maiden season in German football.
Perhaps Bayern will triumph in the Spanish capital to keep his dream alive but it looks a big ask.
Jude Bellingham, another Three Lions star, lines up for the LaLiga champions but the main danger to Bayern in the first leg was Vinicius Junior, who slotted the Spanish team ahead in the 24th minute and converted a penalty seven minutes from time to level things up after Leroy Sane and Kane had pounced for the hosts.
Harry Kane has scored goals for fun for Bayern Munich this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior has become a key element in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans as those goals took his tally to five in eight Champions League games this season and it could well be that he overshadows the England duo in what promises to be a mouth-watering showdown.
He’s 5-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power to deliver the first punch and 7/5 with the same two firms, bet365 and BoyleSports to hit the net at any time, while Kane is 13/8 with Unibet and BetUK to get his name on the scoreboard.
There should once again be plenty of goals in this encounter and over 4.5 is 7/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair, while a 3-2 win for Madrid is 22/1 with William Hill.
• Oxford can reach the League One play-off final at Wembley by successfully defending their 1-0 lead from the semi-final, first leg when they visit Peterborough. A draw will be enough and that’s 11/4 with Betfred, Betfair and Paddy Power while a 1-1 scoreline after 90 minutes is 13/2 with StarSports.
• Classic contenders aim to throw down the gauntlet ahead of the Epsom Derby and Oaks this week when they tune up in the three-day May meeting at beautiful Chester.
Galileo Dame impressed when recently winning at Leopardstown and is 5/2 with bet365 to win the Cheshire Oaks, while Grosvenor Square is 5/4 with the same firm to take the Chester Vase after also shining at the Irish track last time out.