Bayern Munich vs Liverpool - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Bayern team have retaken top spot in the German Bundesliga on goal
difference for the first time since September, winning their last two
games against M'Gladbach and Wolfsburg by 5-1 and 6-0
scorelines respectively. The Bavarians are on a 7 match winning streak
at the Allianz Arena and also boast a dominant record on home turf in
this competition, winning 21 of 26 matches since 2014/15. This year, in a
potentially tricky Champions League group, Kovacs men were twice held
to draws by Ajax but picked up four wins in their other four games to
finish top of the group.
The Bavarians are still without two suspended players: Thomas Muller - sent off for a poor tackle on Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico in the final round of group matches - and right-back Joshua Kimmich. Rafinha will come in at right-back, while Serge Gnabry may play as right winger to enable Franck Ribery to replace Muller. Of course, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line. Hummels and Niklas Sule should be the starting centre backs, while Thiago and Javi Martinez are likely to anchor the midfield. The likes of Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman remain out through injury while Arjen Robben is a major doubt.
The Bavarians are still without two suspended players: Thomas Muller - sent off for a poor tackle on Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico in the final round of group matches - and right-back Joshua Kimmich. Rafinha will come in at right-back, while Serge Gnabry may play as right winger to enable Franck Ribery to replace Muller. Of course, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line. Hummels and Niklas Sule should be the starting centre backs, while Thiago and Javi Martinez are likely to anchor the midfield. The likes of Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman remain out through injury while Arjen Robben is a major doubt.
Liverpool's EPL title charge has stuttered over the course of
the past few weeks. They played out successive away draws against
Manchester United and Everton, both finishing 0-0, and beat Watford
(5-0) and Burnley (4-2 last weekend) in the last two home fixtures. The
Reds have not been quite as ruthless going forwards in recent games.
Salah & Co have only scored one away goal in this season’s UCL, and hit the net just three times in their last six on the road.
The Reds may have been lacking for output in recent matches, but
knowing how crucial an away goal could be decisive. On the other side of
the pitch, Jurgen Klopp's men have the best defensive record in the
Premier League (17 goals), and they haven't conceded more than one goal
in an away game since a 2-1 English FA Cup defeat at Wolves in early January.
James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold should be available for selection on Wednesday despite suffering muscle tightness last time out. The former should complete the four man backline alongside Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andre Robertson while the latter should be benched as the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are expected to start in the middle of the park. No changes are expected up front with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Manè spearheading the attack. Adam Lallana is a viable option in midfield after a good performance last weekend. Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge could also play at some stage in case of need. Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the only injury absentees.
James Milner and Trent Alexander-Arnold should be available for selection on Wednesday despite suffering muscle tightness last time out. The former should complete the four man backline alongside Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andre Robertson while the latter should be benched as the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are expected to start in the middle of the park. No changes are expected up front with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Manè spearheading the attack. Adam Lallana is a viable option in midfield after a good performance last weekend. Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge could also play at some stage in case of need. Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the only injury absentees.
Bayern (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Rafinha, Sule, Hummels, Alaba; Thiago, Martinez; Gnabry, James, Ribery; Lewandowski
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Date: 13 March 2019
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munchen
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munchen