Champions League preview and odds: Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

Published on: 18/10/2015

Champions League preview and odds: Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

October 20, 2015 19:45pm Emirates Stadium

Champions League

They may be flying high in the Premier League but Arsenal are on course for an early exit from this years Champions League competition. With two defeats from their first two games, the English side must now face Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium in a game that could make or break their qualification quest.

Arsenal not clicking in Europe

Each year, Arsene Wenger insists that his side has what it takes to perform on the elite European stage and each year they fail to make any significant impact. In fact, it is nine years since the Gunners were defeated by Barcelona in the final of the competition and they have not looked capable of repeating that feat since.

The North Londoners fell to Monaco in the knockout stages of the competition last year and are in danger of not even making it that far this term. Disappointing defeats away to Dinamo Zagreb and at home to Olympiakos have left the Gunners rock bottom in Group F with four games left to play.

They must now face a Bayern team that is in devastating form and have won on their last two visits to London. Another defeat could make it very difficult for the Londoners to progress to the knockout stages, something that they have not failed to achieve in the last 15 seasons.

Bayern on winning streak

The German champions will arrive in London on the back of 12 straight wins in all competitive matches. Their last defeat came in the German Super Cup when they lost on penalties to Wolfsburg and they have not drawn a game since February.

Bayern have won both of their group stage games so far, scoring eight goals and conceding none in the process. A win in London would almost certainly guarantee their progress to the last 16. They have only lost once on English soil in this competition and that defeat came against Manchester City (3-2) in last seasons group stage clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Team news

The home side have an extensive injury list that includes Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini. Wenger may hand a start to in-form Theo Walcott.

Meanwhile Pep Guardiola is also having to manage a squad plagued by injuries with Holger Badstuber, Medhi Benatia, Mario Götze, Jan Kirchhoff, Franck Ribéry, Arturo Vidal, Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben all in the treatment room.

Recent form (All competitions)

Arsenal: WWLWW

Bayern Munich: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Arsenal are playing well in their domestic campaign but have yet to transform that form to the European format. They will need to be at their very best when the Bayern machine comes rolling into town on Tuesday.

The German side have brushed aside both of teams that inflicted Champions League defeat on Arsenal and will be clear favourites to win this game. They have not drawn a competitive match since February so it seems like a case of all or nothing for Pep Guardiola.

You can back the away side to win at a best price of 10/11 with Bet365 and based on current form in Europe, that looks like a good value bet. You might also want to take advantage of the 6/5 on offer from Coral for Robert Lewandowski to score anytime. The Polish striker has already bagged 15 goals in all competitions this season.

Published on: 18/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/10/2015 12:32:49) but are subject to change.