A meeting between Bayern Munich and Arsenal is the standout pick from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) fixture list, with the Gunners’ unbeaten run at this stage of the competition facing arguably its sternest test to date.
Match News and Current Form
It was business as usual for Bayern Munich at the weekend as they thumped RB Leipzig 6-1 to move back to their familiar perch at the Bundesliga summit. That was a near-perfect response to the ignominy of being held to a 3-3 draw against Norwegian minnows Viking on UCL matchday two, but they’d be forgiven for expecting better on home turf, where they’ve won their last nine UCL group/league phase matches. That’s part of a wider run of 39 games unbeaten in such outings (W37, D2), and having won their last five games at the Allianz Arena, scoring 5+ goals in each game, you’d be brave to bet against them stretching that run here.
Arsenal were in the win column once more at the weekend, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 as they try to keep pace with Manchester City at the Premier League summit. The Gunners have now won ten of their 11 competitive games this season (L1), including two UCL victories to nil against Napoli and Lille, results which stretched their winning streak in UCL league phase action to 14 matches. Mikel Arteta's men have exhibited some strong travelling form in this competition too, losing just one of their last 13 UCL road trips (W10, D2), but replicating that on German shores could be problematic for a side who’ve won just one of their last eight away games against German opposition (D2, L5).
Head-to-Head History
Bayern have won five of their seven UCL home games against Arsenal (D1, L1), including the last three in succession, while they’re also unbeaten in six home matches against English sides (W5, D1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Bayern's last eight UCL matches have produced an average of 5.5 goals per game.
Bayern had more shots than their opponents in their last 12 competitive outings.
Arsenal have kept six clean sheets in their last eight UCL matches.
Arsenal scored an odd number of goals in their last seven UCL away games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Former Tottenham striker Harry Kane has 15 career goals against Arsenal and has scored in nine successive UCL games for Bayern as he closes in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time record of 11. Chipping away at a record of his own, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka needs one more UCL goal to become the club’s joint all-time third-top scorer in this competition but may have to be patient, as five of his last seven goals in this competition arrived after the hour mark.
Bayern will be without the suspended Michael Olise, while Manuel Neuer missed the weekend’s game with a foot injury. William Saliba continues to headline Arsenal’s injury list.
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Betting Analysis
Picking a winner here is tough, but a Bayern Munich win could be the best approach on account of their phenomenal home record at this stage and solid record when hosting English sides.
Author: Chris Wilson