UEFA Champions League Betting Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United

December 12, 2023

Manchester United will need a miracle when they take on Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in a crucial Champions League game on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.

Bayern Munich and Manchester United played out an entertaining first-leg at the Allianz Arena in September as the German side claimed a 4-3 victory in their first competitive match against the Red Devils since April 2014.

All in all, the Red Devils have won just two of their 12 competitive meetings with Bayern Munich to date - all in the Champions League - but they will never forget the glorious 1999 Champions League final comeback at Camp Nou.

The Bundesliga giants have won five of those games - only against Barcelona have the Red Devils conceded so many defeats in Europe's premier club competition. Their only win in five visits at Old Trafford came in April 2001, though, when substitute Paulo Sergio scored the only goal.

Manchester United Betting Preview (+175 at MyBookie)

Even if they achieve a rare win against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Manchester United will still be dependent on the outcome of the other Group A match between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray for qualification to the round of 16.

Erik ten Hag's side find themselves in this unfavorable position after a disappointing Champions League campaign to date. They have squandered eight points from winning positions (joint most with Serie A champions Napoli) and have become the first team in Champions League history to score three or more goals in three group games without winning any of them.

The reason for Manchester United's poor record is clear: only debutants Royal Antwerp have conceded more goals (15) in this season's Champions League group stage than United's 14.

In order to stay in UEFA competitions beyond the winter, Manchester United must win their home match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. However, if there's a winner in the clash between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray, three points for the Premier League giants would only be enough for third place in the group, meaning relegation to the UEFA Europa League. If the German side conquers Old Trafford, it would be the first time since 2005-06 that United have finished bottom of the group in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, The Red Devils suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

It was an awful weekend for United, who had managed to win four of their previous five league matches, including a 2-1 home win over Chelsea in midweek. However, Erik ten Hag's collapsed against an in-form Bournemouth side, who were dominating throughout to eventually claim their first ever win at Old Trafford.

The Theatre of Dreams is often a Theatre of nightmares for the Manchester United faithful over the past years, who had to witness some disastrous performances and horrific results. Yet, the 3-0 loss to the Cherries is arguably among the worst ones and Erik ten Hag will need to drastically improve his side's morale ahead of an eventful week.

The upcoming game against Bayern Munich will be United's last home match before Christmas, with the Red Devils set for back-to-back away games against Liverpool and West Ham United in the Premier League before they host Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo, Mason Mount and Casemiro are all recovering from injuries for the home side, while Jadon Sancho remains out for disciplinary reasons. The likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are both doubts, having missed Monday's training session due to an illness.

Casemiro, who scored a brace against Bayern Munich in the first leg, has returned to training but Tuesday's Champions League clash could come too soon for the influential Brazilian midfielder.

Rasmus Hojlund is still struggling to open his Premier League scoring account but the Denmark forward has been doing much better in the Champions League, having scored five goals in as many games in the competition.

Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes will be suspended for the upcoming trip to arch rivals Liverpool this weekend after receiving his fifth yellow card of the Premier League campaign during Saturday's shock 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Bayern Munich Betting Preview (+130 at MyBookie)

Bayern Munich’s Champions League hopes suffered a blow in Manchester earlier this year, when they lost 3-0 to Man City at the Etihad in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.

This won't be the case for now as the Bundesliga giants have already secured the top spot in Group A of the Champions League in 2023-24 as they are bidding to get back on track after their own humiliation over the weekend.

Indeed, Thomas Tuchel's side head to Manchester on the back of a 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday - their first defeat in the Bundesliga this season. Thus, they remain second in the table, four points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, yet with a game in hand.

The 5-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt was one of their heaviest defeats in the Bundesliga this century as it was a repeat of their meeting in November 2019.

Bidding to clinch their 12^th consecutive Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich have been shockingly dumped out of the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) by 3. Liga side Saarbrücken last month and also lost the German Super Cup match to RB Leipzig in August.

The Bavarians have won each of their last eight away games in the Champions League group stage and are remarkably unbeaten in 39 group games overall (winning 35 of them). Either of their accomplishments are unmatched in the history of the competition.

Harry Kane scored his first Champions League for Bayern Munich in the reverse game at the Allianz Arena. The ex-Tottenham frontman has now been directly involved in nine goals in his last 11 matches against Manchester United (five goals and four assists).

The England forward boasts a particularly impressive record at Old Trafford - with four goals and two assists in his last five outings.

Serge Gnabry suffered a groin strain after he was introduced as a second-half substitute against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday and the German international won't play again until 2024.

In addition to Gnabry's absence, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt and Bouna Sarr are also injured for Bayern Munich, while goalkeeper Sven Ulreich did not travel to Manchester due to an illness.

Thomas Tuchel could opt for a number of changes, with veteran Thomas Muller as well as youngsters Jamal Musiala, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Frans Kratzig all hoping for starts here.

Raphaël Guerreiro is another option if Tuchel reshuffles his back line at Old Trafford, while Noussair Mazraoui could drop out of the starting eleven. Guerreiro and Konrad Laimer came on for Davies and Mazraoui at half-time against Eintracht Frankfurt and the pair could start at Old Trafford.

Possible Starting Lineups of Manchester United and Bayern Munich

Manchester United: Andre Onana - Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw - Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay - Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho - Rasmus Hojlund. (4-2-3-1)

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer - Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Alphonso Davies - Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka - Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane - Harry Kane. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Unbeaten in their last 11 home matches against German opposition, Manchester United must beat already-qualified Bayern Munich if they are to stand a chance to reach the knockout stages.

The Red Devils will be eager to claim their first success against Bayern Munich since a 3-2 victory in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2010. However, that win wasn’t enough as Bayern Munich won the first leg 2-1, benefitting from the old away goals rule.

The Bavarians, on the other hand, had won 17 Champions League group games in a row prior to their goalless draw with FC Copenhagen last month.

Bayern Munich are also aiming to bounce back from a heavy defeat over the weekend and they will expect a reaction, which doesn't make life any easier for Manchester United.

Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund was clear: "We want to produce a good performance and remain undefeated in the group."

Spooky Express Free Play: Over 3.5 Goals +120 at MyBookie for 5 Units

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