Barca facing elimination
Since the 2004/05 season, the great FC Barcelona have always been in the knockout rounds in the Champions League. In 2003/04, the Catalans played in the Europa League from the start. This year, after almost 20 years, there could be a failure in the group stage, but before Wednesday’s guest game at the Allianz Arena in Munich, the Blaugrana at least still have everything in their own hands.
With five wins from five games, Bayern are already assured of winning their group and are through to the last 16. Dynamo Kiev are safely out with one point. Barcelona, with the match in Munich ahead, have seven points. Benfica Lisbon play at home against Kiev and have five points.
The direct comparison between Barca and Benfica is in favour of the Portuguese. If Lisbon win their home match against the Ukrainian champions, which is to be expected, Barca will need a win in Munich to avoid being relegated to the Europa League. However, bettors are more likely to predict a home win in the clash between Bayern and Barcelona.
The proud Catalans are under enormous pressure. They face the threat of their second-worst result in the Champions League group stage since 1997.
Bayern – statistics & current form
Bayern Munich continue to be an absolute power at home in the Champions League. In the first two games of the current group stage, there were five goals each against Kiev and Benfica. In the last eleven home games, the Munich team has always scored at least twice. Robert Lewandowski in particular has scored nine goals alone. By comparison, Barca have scored two goals in all five group games.
Tor machine Lewandowski
After Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski could become the first player to score ten goals in the group stage of the top flight. With a brace and then eleven goals, it would even be the sole record holder. As a precaution, we therefore check the odds on a goal by the Pole in the clash between Bayern and Barcelona.
On Saturday, Bayern had much more at stake than on Wednesday in the top flight. In the German classic against Dortmund, the Munich team won 3:2 away from home, possibly with a little help from the referee. Robert Lewandowski was successful twice. Kingsley Coman contributed the third goal to the victory in the top match.
Apparently, coach Julian Nagelsmann will start the rotation machine on Wednesday. Thomas Müller, Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane will probably get a break and be substituted depending on how the game goes. Joshua Kimmich, Michael Cuisance, Marcel Sabitzer, Bouna Sarr and Josip Stanisic will not be available.
Predicted Bayern line-up:
Neuer – Süle, Upamecano, Hernandez – Roca, Tolisso – Gnabry, Müller, Musiala, Davies – Lewandowski – Coach: Nagelsmann
Last matches played by Bayern:
1st Bundesliga
12/04 2021 – Borussia Dortmund 2 – 3 Bayern Munich
11/27 2021 – Bayern Munich 1 – 0 Arminia Bielefeld
Champions League Grp. E
11/23 2021 – Dynamo Kiev 1 – 2 Bayern Munich
1st Bundesliga
11/19 2021 – Augsburg 2 – 1 Bayern Munich
11/06 2021 – Bayern Munich 2 – 1 SC Freiburg
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
This is not FC Barcelona’s season. The Catalans will have to do everything they can to even qualify for an international competition via La Liga. If it’s not enough on Wednesday, it could be their last Champions League game for more than a year. The Blaugrana are currently only seventh in the Spanish league.
Barca at the crossroads
The Catalans have lost much of their terror this season, and not just because Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann have left the club. Money is tight and it could amount to more stars leaving in the winter and at the end of the season. None of this sounds like you need to make a prediction on the Catalans progressing ahead of the clash between Bayern and Barcelona.
Last weekend could have seen a move back up to the top four in La Liga. With Betis Sevilla, a direct competitor was the guest at the Nou Camp. To be honest, FC Barcelona put in a decent performance, but the bottom line was a 1-0 defeat, which now leaves them even further behind.
The Spaniards travel to Munich with major personnel worries. Alex Collado, the injured Moussa Wague and returnee Dani Alves are not eligible to play. In addition, there are numerous injured players with super talent Pedri, Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati, Sergio Agüero and Martin Braithwaite. In this condition, Barca does not deserve the title of European top team.
Predicted line-up of Barcelona:
ter Stegen – Araujo, Pique, Garcia, Jordi Alba – Nico, Busquets, Gavi – Dembele, Coutinho – Depay – Coach: Xavi
Last matches played by Barcelona:
LaLiga
12/04 2021 – Barcelona 0 – 1 Real Betis
11/27 2021 – Villarreal FC 1 – 3 Barcelona
Champions League Grp. E
11/23 2021 – Barcelona 0 – 0 Benfica
LaLiga
11/20 2021 – Barcelona 1 – 0 Espanyol
11/06 2021 – Celta Vigo 3 – 3 Barcelona
Bayern – Barcelona Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
The clash between Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona has become a real classic in the Champions League. Twelve times the two big clubs have faced each other so far and direct comparison shows how much Bayern spread fear and terror in Catalonia. After victories, the FCB is clearly ahead with 8:2. Two duels ended in a draw.
The last three encounters have all gone in Bayern’s favour. Unforgettable is the 8:2 in the final tournament of the royal class in August 2020 in Lisbon. Bayern have won three times in a row against Barca recently. Against no other club have the Catalans gone through such a dry spell. The Munich side won the first leg at the Nou Camp 3-0 in September after goals from Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski 2.
Bayern – Barcelona Tip
You have to be honest enough to admit, even from a Spanish point of view, that Bayern are playing in a different league at the moment. Of course, the Blaugrana are ambitious and also coach Xavi travels to Munich optimistically, but the statistics speak a clear language for a home victory. In our opinion, only the rotation of the Munich team can play into the Catalans’ hands.
Bayern have won the last three direct duels. The Spaniards will hardly come to Munich with a good feeling, especially as some important players are missing. In addition, they still have the 0:1 defeat from La Liga in their luggage and the pressure of probably having to win.
In addition, we can imagine that Robert Lewandowski will once again successfully complete a record chase. With one goal, he has scored ten in the group stage and draws level with Messi and Ronaldo. That’s why we decided to play the betting odds on a home win with Lewandowski scoring between Bayern and Barcelona.
