UEFA Champions League preview: Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain – Allianz Arena – December 5 – Group B clash
Bayern Munich will host Paris St Germain side on November 5 for the 2nd leg of a Group B clash of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). The previous leg at Parc des Princes in September had seen the Bavarian club humbled 0-3 with goals coming for the irresistible Mbappe-Neymar-Cavani (MNC) trio. Bayern hogged two-thirds of the possession in the game but lacked the clinical finishing of their opponents.
The Parisienne club has been unstoppable since the advent of the high-priced duo, Neymar & Kylian Mbappe, into the side at the beginning of the current 2017-18 season. Their 5 Champions League games (all being wins) have fetched them as many as 24 goals which is the highest any time has achieved at this stage in the history of the tournament. They have won 12 of their 14 Ligue 1 games and drawn just two. It would call for an extraordinary performance from the German club on November 5 if they were to inflict PSG their first defeat of the season.
Bayern Munich have been seriously plagued with injuries apart from goal-keeper Manuel Neuer’s prolonged absence till March 2018. Franck Ribery and Thiago in the mid-field space are surely ruled out for the clash against PSG owing to a torn knee ligament and muscle injury respectively. Added to that are some key players like Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Arjen Robben and James Rodríguez. Bayern were without these men in their recent 1-2 Bundesliga defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach and fans of the club can fervently hope that at least half of them return to the starting XI soon.
Bayern would definitely like to keep possession, but will have to wary of the vicious hit-on-the-breaks attack initiated by the MNC trio with incredible support from lightning fast wings, Julian Draxler and Marco Verratti. Edison Cavani has already amassed an astonishing tally of 22 goals along with Neymar’s 14 from all forms of competition this season and it would be a wonder if one of them were not able to find the back of the net at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Much in contrast to their December 5th opponent’s flawless progress in the 2017-18, Bayern’s has been wobbly, having lost 2 of their 13 Bundesliga games and drawn 2, this despite being at the top of the table. They will host Hannover 96 in their next domestic outing on Saturday before they meet PSG at the same venue three days later. Both teams will play for pride at the Allianz having already progressed to the Round of 16 of the UCL and the 1st and 2nd places of the Group B cluster having been decided between them.
Even with injuries clouding over them and their not-so-great recent form, bookmakers are expecting key Bayern players to return and stop the PSG juggernaut. Which is why they are giving the Bavarian hosts a slight edge in Tuesday’s game.
Bayern Munich: 6/4
Paris St Germain: 13/8
Draw: 5/2
Recommended Tip: BTTS & Bayern to Win, Best odds 3/1 @ Boylesports
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