Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-01 19:00.
[p]This a momentous occasion for Aston Villa, who’ll welcome six-time European champions Bayern Munich in their first-ever home UEFA Champions League (UCL) tie. Villa couldn’t have picked a better side to face on such an event than the team they bettered to secure their one and only European Cup back in 1982, and having won comprehensively on matchday one against Young Boys (3-0), confidence in the home dressing home should be high. [/p]
[p]That win makes up part of an imposing start to the new season for Villa, who have lost only one of their opening eight games (W6, D1), with that one draw coming away at newly-promoted Ipswich on Sunday, which left Unai Emery frustrated afterwards. His side did win their first six home matches in Europe last season though, which is a good omen for bouncing back here, yet the step up from UEFA’s third-tier competition to its pinnacle is stark and sure to test the hosts. [/p]
[p]That rings especially true when you consider they welcome a rampant Bayern Munich side, who’ve started the new campaign in scintillating form. The only blemish from their opening seven games of the season is a 1-1 draw with reigning German champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, and that was a game they statistically dominated throughout. [/p]
[p]Bayern also made some history on matchday one of the UCL, becoming the first side to score nine in a single game as they thrashed Dinamo Zagreb. While Vincent Kompany’s men are sure to walk out to a raucous atmosphere at Villa Park, they’re well experienced in the competition and rarely overawed at this stage. In fact, they travel to England boasting a remarkable record of 41 UCL group/league phase matches without defeat (W37, D4).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Villa striker Ollie Watkins has hit top gear at the perfect time, directly contributing to seven goals in his last five matches (G4, A3) – five of which in the first half. Michael Olise, who netted a double in Bayern’s 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo, followed it up with four direct goal contributions in their last away outing (G2, A2). The Frenchman signed off with a H2H assist for Palace in his final club appearance in May before joining Bayern (W 5-0). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bayern have lost just four of their last 35 UCL away games, and yet are winless in their last three such matches (D1, L2).[/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]