High-flying Barcelona head into the first leg on the back of an 8-0 hammering of Cordoba and no doubts the Catalans will be feeling optimistic ahead of the Bayern clash.

Meanwhile, the Bavarians have suffered two disappointing results in a row, but serious selection problems pose a much bigger threat to their hopes of reaching the final.

Midway through the current campaign, Luis Enrique was under pressure as team’s performances were not exactly up to the required standard, while reports emerged of the coach’s clash wit superstar Leo Messi.

And while many believed the talented coach would soon pay the price for the dressing room unrest, he instead brilliantly turned things around and is now doing even better than his next rival Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona have closed on both La Liga and Copa del Rey trophies, and judging by their recent performances, they are the leading contenders for the Champions League title.

The Catalans have now won six straight matches, scoring 20 in last five without conceding, so no wonder they have been made 1.73 (8/11) favourites to win the first leg against Bayern.

Summer recruit Luis Suarez has been in stunning form of late, bagging 11 goals in last 10 matches, and he can be backed at 2.60 (8/5) to score anytime.

Luis Enrique should have fully fit squad to select from seeing as Jordi Alba has recovered from a muscle problem and is ready to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): ter Stegen – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta – Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

The game against Barcelona will mark the official return of Pep Guardiola to Camp Nou, and the former Catalans coach faces all sorts of problems ahead of the trip to Catalunya.

While the Bavarians did well to overcome a two-goal deficit against FC Porto and qualify for the semis with a 6-1 triumph, there have been very little reason to celebrate otherwise.

Bayern did mathematically secure another Bundesliga title, but the celebrations were spoiled by the DFB Pokal defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

And even though weekend’s loss to Bayer Leverkusen is unlikely to see Pep Guardiola lose any slip, it has contributed to the poor atmosphere in the squad.

Add to that the fact that the visitors are still without a host of important players and you will understand why away win pays 5.25 (17/4).

Mehdi Benatia and Javi Martinez are back in contention, but Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have been ruled out, whilst Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Benatia, Bernat – Thiago, Alonso, Lahm – Muller, Gotze – Lewandowski.