Barcelona vs Bayern Munich Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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European heavyweights Barcelona and Bayern Munich face off in a match which sees Barca head coach Hansi Flick taking on the side whom he won the Champions League with back in 2020.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday October 23rd 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports 5 / US – CBS Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
BARCELONA PREVIEW: FIRING ON ALL FRONTS UNDER FLICK
Barcelona are starting to look ominously like a team capable of going very far in the Champions League this season. After an early red card ultimately played a big part in them losing against Monaco, Hansi Flick’s side responded well by thrashing Young Boys 5-0 with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice.
Finding the net has certainly not been an issue with Barca this campaign. Flick is getting the best out of Lewandowski, who boasts ten goals in his last six games, whilst Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha are all capable of goals and assists just behind him.
BAYERN MUNICH PREVIEW: PREMIER LEAGUE DEMONS STRIKE KOMPANY
Bayern Munich saw their 100% start to the season come to a crashing halt against Aston Villa in the second round of league phase fixtures. Former Premier League manager Vincent Kompany had little success vs Unai Emery’s side during his time in charge of Burnley and that didn’t change on a raucous night at Villa Park.
Despite having chances to save themselves, Bayern couldn’t prevent defeat in the West Midlands, their first loss after 41 group stage/league phase fixtures unbeaten in the Champions League and must now react in the right matter. Unfortunately for the Rekordmeister, it doesn’t get any easier when taking into account Barca’s recent performances.
BARCELONA TEAM NEWS: DE JONG FACES LATE FITNESS TEST
Frenkie De Jong’s fitness will be assessed pre-match and should he not make it, then the Dutchman will join Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Ferran Torres on the sidelines.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Gavi, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE: Araujo (Injured), Christensen (Injured), Bernal (Injured), Ter Stegen (Injured), Torres (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: De Jong (Fitness)
BAYERN MUNICH TEAM NEWS: WILL MUSIALA RECOVER IN TIME?
Having missed out over the weekend with hip injury which saw him skip the international window, Jamal Musiala is facing a battle to recover in time for this match. If he misses out, either Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman or Leroy Sane will get the nod instead.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Guerreiro, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Gnabry, Coman; Kane
UNAVAILABLE: Boey (Injured), Ito (Injured), Stanisic (Injured), Buchmann (Fitness), Pavlovic (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Musiala (Injured)
KEY STATS
- Barcelona have won five of their last six UEFA Champions League home games (L1).
- Barcelona have won their last four home UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches.
- Barcelona have lost only three of their last 44 home UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches (W35 D6). Two of the defeats were against Bayern Munich (L 3-0 in September 2021 and L 3-0 in October 2022).
- Bayern Munich have lost only two of their previous 15 UEFA competition matches against Barcelona (W11 D2).
- Bayern Munich have won five of their previous seven UEFA competition matches away from home against Barcelona (L2).
- Bayern Munich won all their six UEFA Champions League group stage encounters against Barcelona.
- Bayern Munich have scored three or more goals in five of their last six UEFA Champions League matches against Barcelona.
- Only one of Bayern Munich last 90 UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches finished without a goal being scored.
- Bayern Munich are aiming to avoid losing successive UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches for the first time since 2009/10 when they lost back-to-back encounters against Bordeaux.
BARCELONA VS BAYERN MUNICH PREDICTION
A thriller of a contest is in store here as two of the most dangerous, free-scoring strikers in Europe go head-to-head with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, looking to outscore Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane. Whether it’s either of those two or their respective supporting cast, goals are expected to be on the menu between these two giants of European football. Back both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, regardless of who comes out on top.
BARCELONA VS BAYERN MUNICH TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
