Two European giants face off at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich host Liverpool for a place in the Quarter Final of the Champions League!
Despite all the attacking talent, the defences shined in the 1st leg as the game ended in a goalless 0-0 draw at Anfield as neither team were able to break each other down. A result that doesn’t give anyone an advantage given that Liverpool kept a clean sheet avoiding conceding an away goals while Bayern managed to avoid defeat away from home.
Bayern are playing their best football of the season right now. Ever since the draw at Anfield, Bayern have been RED HOT winning 3 in 3 while scoring 12 goals including putting 5 past Monchengladbach and 6 past Wolfsburg in their last 2 games. Going forward Bayern have been beyond exceptional. Defensively they’ve also improved.
Liverpool have been up and down. They are unbeaten in 10 but have drawn 5 of those games. Since the game against Bayern they’ve won 2 and drawn 2. Their draws were 0-0 but their wins were 5-0 and 4-2. Defensively Liverpool have continued to look solid, but going forward the Mane, Salah, Firmino trio have been up and down in the past month. Liverpool will need all 3 to get going here.
Bayern have looked unstoppable at the Allianz Arena recently having won 7 consecutive games at home entering this game while scoring 23 goals. Bayern have always made Allianz Arena a fortress and have been pretty much unbeatable here for many years now and it’ll be an extremely tough task for Liverpool to knock them out here.
Liverpool’s away form has been very poor given that they’ve won just 1 of last 6 away games drawing 2 and losing 2. In these 6 games Liverpool have only managed to score 4 away goals and have went scoreless in their previous 2 away games at Everton and Man Utd. Furthermore, Liverpool have been a disaster on their travels in Europe this season losing all 3 away games to Zvezda, PSG and Napoli and if you went back to last season that streak extends to 4 away European defeats in a row. Liverpool MUST turn things around on their travels given how tough Allianz Arena is to win at or even get a draw for opponents.
Robert Lewandowski, without a doubt is the KEY man for Bayern. He’s hit some great form scoring 4 goals in his last 2 games. The Polishman was relatively quiet at Anfield so expect him to have a solid bounce back performance. Lewandowski has a lot of experience in big European games and normally tends to show up (9 goals in 10 knockout games at the Allianz for Bayern) which is what we expect him to do again here against Liverpool.
For Liverpool the trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino got to click like they did last year. Firmino just recently ended his 6 game goal drought with a brace against Burnley, Salah has been very poor having not scored in 5 straight and has especially been a let down in big games this season. Sadio Mane is the only one of the three that is showing consistent good form he has scored 8 goals in his last 9 apps including a brace against Burnley on the weekend so right now Mane does look like the biggest threat out of the three, but don’t count out Salah and Firmino as on their day they can absolutely rip defences apart.
Liverpool have had the edge over Bayern if you look at their European history with a 2W 5D 1L record against them, however it’s been a very long time since they last met prior to this season (2001 UEFA Super Cup) so there really isn’t that the H2H can indicate about this 2nd leg tie.
Bayern are the bookies favourites to win the match in 90 mins at 2.15 while Liverpool are tipped at 3.45 with Draw at 3.70. However, when it comes to qualifying, these teams are offered at dead even odds at 1.91 each which is pretty much expected as these teams are level and are very evenly matched right now. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Bayern Munich: Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller are both out with suspensions. David Alaba and Kingsley Coman are both doubtful. Furthermore, Tolisso and Robben are out.
Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold could return into the starting line-up while James Milner could also be available. Naby Keita and Joe Gomez are out and Oxlade-Chamberlain is doubtful to be in the squad despite featuring for the reserves. Van Dijk is back however after being out for the 1st leg with suspension.
Betting Stats
Bayern Munich have scored in 25 of their last 26 Champions League games at home.
Bayern Munich have covered 33.3% of their total goal overs at home in the UCL this season (1-2).
Bayern Munich have covered 66.7% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the UCL this season (2-1).
Bayern Munich average 1.67 bookings per game at home in the UCL this season (5 bookings in 3 games).
Robert Lewandowski is Bayern’s top scorer at the Allianz Arena in the UCL this season with 4 home European goals.
Bayern Munich have covered 33.3% of their Handicaps at home in the UCL this season (1-2).
Bayern Munich have covered 33.3% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the UCL this season (1-2).
Liverpool have failed to cover any of their total goal overs away from home in the UCL this season (0-3).
Liverpool have covered 66.7% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the UCL this season (2-1). Way less goals in their 2nd halves.
Liverpool average 2.67 bookings per game away from home in the UCL this season (8 bookings in 3 games).
James Milner is Liverpool’s only goal scorer away from home in the UCL this season with 1 away European goal which is the only away goal that Liverpool have scored this season on their travels in the Champions League.
Liverpool are yet to cover any of their Handicaps away from home in the UCL this season (0-3).
Liverpool are yet to cover any of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the UCL this season (0-3).
KICK OFF – 13th March 2019 – 8pm UK Time
