Barcelona – Bayern Munich : Preview & Prediction
FC Barcelona’s fate in the 31st edition of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) is no longer in their hands after their 3-3 draw with Inter Milan. Los Azulgranas are obliged to beat Bayern Munich, but will be mathematically eliminated with a game to spare if Inter beat Viktoria Plzen. Looking for revenge for their 2-0 loss to the Bavarians in September, Xavi’s side face their real bête noire in recent years after two convincing league wins with a clean sheet at the Camp Nou (3-0 vs Villarreal, 4-0 vs Athletic Club).
In both victories, Barça went into half-time 3-0 up. The Camp Nou will be a pressure cooker to boost the Culés against the team that knocked them out of the last group stage. Although the azulgrana team is unbeaten at home in the UCL for four games (G2, E2), that streak began after a 3-0 loss to Bayern in September 2021.
The reigning Bundesliga champions have insultingly dominated Barcelona in recent times, winning the last five meetings between the two with a staggering average of 3.8 goals scored per game. Bayern have already secured their place in the Round of 16, but visit the Coliseum ready to deepen Barça’s wounds by claiming their fifth consecutive official victory after a 2-0 away win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.
The Bavarians, who have won both of their UCL outings by two-goal margins, have lost just one of their last 28 away matches in the competition (G22, E5, P1), namely to another Spanish club (Villarreal 1-0 BAY, 6-4-2022). Julian Nagelsmann’s powerful side will come out with maximum concentration against a Barça side that has nothing to lose.
Players to watch: Ousmane Dembélé scored Barça’s 4000th home goal in the domestic championship against Athletic, opening the scoring for the second time in the Azulgranas’ last three matches at Camp Nou. In Bayern’s visit to Barça in the UCL 2021-22, the Bavarians’ first goal was scored by Thomas Müller in the first half, and the veteran German playmaker also found the net before the break in his team’s final away game of the UCL.
Key statistic: Bayern have not conceded a goal in the first halves of their UCL matches this season (break: G3, E1).
Barcelona – Bayern Munich : Betting Tips
Barcelona – Win Odds: 2.25
