Bayern Munich will be looking to get things back on track as they host Scottish champions Celtic in the third matchday of the UEFA Champions League this midweek. Both teams will be looking for a win in order to further improve their chance of qualifying for the next round.
Quite surprisingly, Celtic come into this game, ahead of Bayern in the group standings. Meaning a win away at Bayern could potentially help them oust Bayern in the final standings come December.
Bayern were in a rut prior the appointment of Jupp Heynckes earlier this month. The Bavarians were winless in three matches in all competitions, which included a humiliating loss against PSG. However, the record German champions have managed to bounce back with new coach Jupp Heynckes. The Reds from Munich thrashed struggling Freiburg 5:0 in the Bundesliga this weekend and were also aided by Leipzig’s win over Dortmund, suggesting the fact that the Bavarians will be full of confidence prior to the game.
Celtic, on the other hand, are in a mixed run of form this season. The Hoops lead the Scottish Premiership by a superior goal difference, and given, their stuttering defensive display in the 2:2 draw with Hibernian just before the start of the international break, Celtic’s chance of causing an upset is very limited. However, Brendan Rodgers’ men did look quite ruthless in their win over Anderlecht in the previous Champions League matchday.
Team News
Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers will have to deal with a couple of notable absentees ahead of their highly anticipated encounter against Bayern Munich. Key defender Jozo Simunovic is expected to be ruled out of the clash because of a knee injury while club captain Scott Brown remains injured.
As for Bayern Munich, they have a significant amount of injuries which have plagued their squad in recent months. First choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out for the rest of the year, along with Franck Ribery, who is also expected to return next year.
Javi Martinez seemed to have suffered a knock against Freiburg this weekend and might be ruled out for the clash as well as Arturo Vidal, who has a calf problem to deal with. Juan Bernat remains as the long-term absentee for the Bavarians.
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1 formation): Sven Ulreich; Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, David Alaba; Sebastian Rudy, Thiago Alcantara; Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman; Robert Lewandowski.
Celtic (4-3-3 formation): Dorus de Vries; Cristian Gamboa, Dedryck Boyata, Mikael Lustig, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Oliver Ntcham, Eboue Kouassi; Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele, Patrick Roberts.
Prediction
Bayern 3:0 Celtic
