Plzen vs Bayern Munich prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-11 19:00.
Czech First League leaders Viktoria PlzeĆ couldnât have been drawn in a tougher UEFA Champions League (UCL) group, competing alongside Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich as they seek to progress through the UCL group stage for the first-time ever. Unsurprisingly given the gulf in quality, PlzeĆ find themselves rock-bottom of Group C (L3) having conceded 12 goals – the most of any club in the UCL group stage this term ahead of the round.
Conceding five against Bayern in the reverse H2H (L 5-0) certainly hasnât helped that tally, but by his own admission, PlzeĆ boss Michal BĂlek admitted the quality the German giants possess was simply âout of their reachâ. Each of PlzeĆâs three UCL group participations prior have at least resulted in a third-place finish and the consolation prize of a transfer to the UEFA Europa League, but at this stage even that appears unlikely for the Czech side.
Letting a two-goal lead slip to rivals Borussia Dortmund in a 2-2 Bundesliga draw at the weekend is hardly ideal preparation for Bayern, who now find themselves four points behind surprise league leaders Union Berlin. However, the German juggernauts know victory here, coupled with Barcelona failing to beat Inter, would secure their safe passage to the UCL knockouts, and considering theyâre unbeaten in 31 UCL group stage games (W28, D3), you may fancy Bayern to hold up their end of the bargain here.
That unbeaten streak is already an outright UCL record in itself, and with the last ten of those being victories, Bayern could write themselves into UCL folklore here should they win an 11th-straight group game. The prospects appear solid given Bayernâs previous trips to PlzeĆ have each seen 1-0 victories, and with Bayern one of only two sides in the UCL group stages yet to concede a goal, a successful night could very well be on the cards for Julian Nagelsmannâs side.
Players to watch: With three UCL qualification goals to his name this term, Jan Kliment could be the man to end PlzeĆâs UCL scoring drought after he returned to action at the weekend. Meanwhile, Bayernâs Leroy SanĂ© has been involved in 16 goals in his last 13 UCL appearances (G10, A6), and has also scored in all three UCL games this season.
Hot stat: PlzeĆ have never kept a clean sheet in a UCL proper home game.