Bayern Munich meet Manchester United in a heavyweight Group A showdown in 2023-24 UEFA Champions League.
Victory would see Bayern or Man Utd go top of Group A if they can better Galatasaray’s result against Copenhagen.
Team News
Joshua Kimmich is a doubt for Bayern after he suffered a a tendon injury during their 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga last Friday evening.
Kingsley Coman (muscle) is a doubt and could be handed a late fitness test.
Manuel Neuer (leg/calf), Raphael Guerreiro (calf), Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) and Gabriel Marusic (ACL) are ruled out.
Man Utd will be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka until late November after he suffered a hamstring injury during their defeat to Brighton.
Sofyan Amrabat (back) and Mason Mount (thigh) again face late fitness tests.
Tom Heaton (calf), Raphael Varane (unspecified), Luke Shaw (muscle), Kobble Mainoo (ankle), Antony, Jadon Sancho (both personal), Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo (both knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Bayern Munich meet Man Utd at Allainz Arena on Wednesday 20 September in a 9pm CET (8pm UK Time) kick-off, live on TNT Sport 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Bayern Munich have lost one of their last eight meetings against Man Utd (W4, D3, L1)
- Man Utd are winless in five previous Champions League visits to Bayern Munich (D2, L3).
- Both teams have scored in all five meetings between Bayern and Man Utd in Munich, with Bayern netting 10 goals to Man Utd’s six goals.
- Bayern are unbeaten in their last 27 Champions League matches at home during the Group Stage (W26, D1).
- Man Utd have kept just three clean sheets in their last six away games in all UEFA competitions (W4, D1, L1).
Prediction
Considering that both teams are hot favourites to advance from this group into the knockout stages, this game will certainly be an early decisive indicator of who could advance as the group winners such is the quality within both teams.
Bayern might be on a 27-match hot streak at home in the Champions League but they come into this game with just one clean sheet in their five matches this season in all competitions, yet I don’t expect that to faze them such is their attacking prowess in recent weeks.
Man Utd’s defence meanwhile is just as bad amidst a serious injury crisis but the Red Devils must improve upon their wasteful display against Brighton, where their sloppy marking was brutally punished with two conceded goals coming from players running into empty space inside the box.
Now if Utd repeat those defensive moves here then I do seriously expect them to be in trouble, because Bayern will punish them like Brighton did which has to be a huge worry and I do fear that will be the case, although Rasmus Hojlund might just nick a goal for Utd if lucky.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Manchester United
Result: Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United
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