Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With a Champions League semi-final spot up for grabs on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich will welcome Arsenal to the Allianz.
Bayern Munich
Starting with the hosts, while Bayern Munich might have sprung an upset in north London last week as they eventually snatched a 2-2 stalemate at the Emirates, the German giants have continued to struggle with their consistency this season. Relinquishing their Bundesliga crown to a high-flying Bayer Leverkusen, it has already been confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will be leaving Munich this summer. However, picking up some momentum over the weekend as they secured a routine 2-0 victory at home against Koln, Wednesday’s hosts will take plenty of solace from their recent success on home soil. Aside from a 2-0 loss against historic rivals Borussia Dortmund when returning from March’s international break, Tuchel’s men have won all of their other six showdowns at the Allianz. With all of their eggs now firmly placed in this year’s Champions League basket, Tuchel’s side certainly face what is a season-defining showdown in Munich.
Team News
Limping off with a knee injury against Koln over the weekend and not expected to feature for the remainder of the season, France international Kingsley Coman will not feature on Wednesday night. Likewise, sustaining a muscle injury away in north London last week, former Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry is not expected to return here.
Handed a rest at the Allianz on Saturday afternoon, ex-Manchester City forward Leroy Sane is expected to make a full return. Converting from the spot away at his former arch-rivals last week and breaking a string of records since arriving from Tottenham last summer, England skipper Harry Kane will lead Tuchel’s charge in Munich.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, left frustrated in north London last week as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, Arsenal will be more than aware that they face a real challenge when they travel to Munich in midweek. While the Gunners might still find themselves at the heart of a Premier League title scrap, there is no doubt that Mikel Arteta’s young squad suffered a heavyweight blow over the weekend. Watching their title dreams take a major dent as they suffered a 2-0 loss at home against Aston Villa, Arsenal will be more than aware that they have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Suffering a first defeat since opening the New Year on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners have the feel of a squad seeking a crucial boost. However, it should be highlighted, Arteta’s side have picked up just a single win from any of their four Champions League appearances outside of north London this season.
Team News
Although former Ajax defender Jurrien Timber might have recently returned to first-team training following a long-term knee injury, the Dutch international will not feature on Tuesday night. Handed a rest against Aston Villa over the weekend, former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho should be handed a full return in Munich.
Bagging a first-leg strike in north London last week and notching 18 goals across all competitions this season, England international Bukayo Saka will certainly have a leading role to play at the Allianz. Polish defender Jakub Kiwior could replace Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Bayern Munich and Arsenal met for their first-leg showdown in north London last week, Wednesday’s opponents played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
- Bayern Munich have won six of their previous seven appearances at the Allianz across all competitions.
- Arsenal have won just one of their four Champions League matchups on foreign soil this season.
- The Gunners have recorded just a sole clean sheet from their last four European outings.
- The German giants are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive Champions League showdowns at the Allianz.
Conclusion
With both camps eventually settling for a thrilling 2-2 stalemate in north London last week, we could be set for another pulsating affair here. Although Bayern might have continued to show some glaring domestic issues this season, the German giants have not suffered a single Champions League defeat at the Allianz in their previous 14 consecutive appearances. In a contest that should see chances come thick and fast, we are expecting both teams to get on the scoresheet.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
