Barcelona vs Bayern Munich prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-22 19:00.
[p]One of European football’s greatest rivalries is reignited on matchday three of the UEFA Champions League league phase, as Barcelona meet Bayern Munich for the 16th time. Managed by former Bayern coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona are flying high at the top of La Liga, although their poor historical record against the Bavarians suggests that this will be no easy task, even with home advantage, given they have won just two of those previous meetings (D2, L11).[/p]
[p]Not only have Barcelona struggled against Bayern, but they’re without a win in seven matches against any German opponent (D1, L6). It may take a great defensive collapse to see that dreary record extend as at the start of this round, no Champions League side can boast a longer run of games in the competition proper having found the net than Barcelona’s eight (W4, D1, L3). [/p]
[p]The last away side to keep a clean sheet in European action against the Catalonians was none other than Bayern, a 3-0 win which brings up an incredible six-game winning run of H2Hs. Having dispatched Stuttgart at the weekend to stay top of the table with Harry Kane netting his sixth hat-trick for the club, Bayern may well expect to continue their dominance in this fixture which has seen them score 15 unanswered goals against Barcelona.[/p]
[p]Any form of confidence boost is needed as despite reaching every knockout phase of the Champions League since 2008/09, Bayern suffered the ignominy of defeat in their last continental clash at Villa Park. That defeat abruptly ended a run of 41 unbeaten matches in group and league phase matches in the Champions League (W37, D4), and also left them at risk of losing three straight away games in Europe for the very first time.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski has lost both Champions League games against his former club, but he’ll hope for better this time after scoring 20 goals across his last 15 home games in the competition. His former teammate Thomas Müller will relish the opportunity to face Barcelona, with ten goal contributions in nine Champions League H2Hs (G8, A2). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: A seventh consecutive H2H defeat for Barcelona would equal their worst run against any opponent, since a seven-game losing run of El Clasicos between 1962 and 1965. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]