Prediction: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich

Prediction: Bayern win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

The UEFA Champions League is back in our lives once again as all 32 teams remaining in the competition begin their group stage journey. The pot system regularly ensures that we get a good grasp of who the favourites are once the groups are actually drawn, and sometimes, it also gives us games between some of the big boys across the continent. One prime example of that is the fixture we’re going to see this week as Barcelona prepare to lock horns with Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona

The term “rebuilding phase” tends to be overused quite dramatically in sport but it’s particularly apt for what seems to be happening at the Nou Camp right now. As a club they’ve seen a parade of top stars leave in recent years including Suarez, Griezmann and Messi, with Ronald Koeman being tasked with the job of leading them back to the top of the mountain. It’s going to be easier said than done, but he definitely seems up for the challenge.

Team News

Braithwaite, Fati, Aguero and Dembele have all been ruled out of this one through injury with Dest and Alba set for fitness checks before kick-off.

Bayern Munich

They may have failed in their quest to retain the European Cup last season but something tells us Bayern are still going to be a real force of nature this season both domestically and in the Champions League. They’re the kind of team that has the potential to strike fear into the hearts of most clubs that come their way purely based on their starting XI and they will quite clearly serve as the favourites in most of the games they play between now and May.

Team News

Gnabry is set to be assessed after coming off at half-time against Leipzig with Coman and Tolisso being the only confirmed absences.

Factors to Consider

• Bayern and Barcelona were both knocked out of last season’s UCL by PSG.
• Barcelona have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Bayern have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Barcelona have scored 14 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
• Bayern have scored 28 goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

Within the current climate it feels like Barca are going to be able to up a decent fight and maybe even get on the scoresheet, but beyond that we just don’t think they’re destined to get anything from this game. Bayern Munich are quite clearly the best team in German football right now and one of the best in the world, which is why we’re backing them to eventually run away with this as 3-1 winners to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Prediction: Bayern win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: 888sport