How Bayern Munich could line up against Liverpool

Bayern Munich are backed as slight favourites to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for an eighth successive season, despite playing out a goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg.

Of the 31 previous teams to have drawn 0-0 away from home in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie, 68% have ended up progressing to the next round.

The odds are therefore in Bayern's favour, and having scored 11 goals in their last two matches, they will fancy their chances of scoring at least once on Wednesday evening.

Ahead of the midweek showdown in Bavaria, Sports Mole looks at how Niko Kovac may set out his side.

Out: Corentin Tolisso, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich Doubtful: David Alaba, Arjen Robben

Bayern will be without two key players against Liverpool as Muller and Kimmich are both ruled out through suspension.

Rafinha is the obvious choice to fill in at right-back for Kimmich, though that may depend on the fitness of Alaba on the other flank. Should the Austrian fail to shake off an injury problem, Jerome Boateng may be asked to play out of position.

Otherwise, Kovac has a decision to make at centre-back following Mats Hummels's return to the side against Wolfsburg on Saturday, taking the place of Niklas Sule alongside Boateng.

Three assists from the bench in the 6-0 win against Wolfsburg for Franck Ribery may well see him take over from Muller in attack, which in turn would mean a change of flanks for Serge Gnabry.

If Manuel Neuer features, this will be his 100th game in the Champions League, making him the sixth goalkeeper to reach that landmark after Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Victor Valdes and Oliver Kahn.

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this fixture