MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 10:58:09| >> :120:31998:31998:
[monks data]
Attendance: 70,000
Bayern logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 18, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Red Star Belgrade

3-0

Coman (34'), Lewandowski (80'), Muller (91')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Red Star Belgrade - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade, including predictions and team news.

Bayern Munich kick off their campaign in this season's Champions League on Wednesday evening with a home tie against Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade.

The 2013 winners have had a mixed start to their Bundesliga campaign, taking eight points from four games, while Belgrade, who have already beaten four teams to reach the group stage, have won six from six domestically.


Match Preview

Robert Lewandowski celebrates his hat-trick for Bayern Munich on August 24, 2019© Reuters

Niko Kovac's side start this Champions League determined to improve on last season's showing, which saw them eliminated in the last 16 by eventual winners Liverpool.

Encouragingly, the Bavarian giants boast an excellent recent record in the group stage of this competition, scoring in 28 consecutive games at the Allianz Arena.

Although Bayern have only won twice in the Bundesliga thus far this season, they have been highly effective going forward, with summer signings Benjamin Pavard and Ivan Perisic contributing to their tally of 15 goals in six competitive matches.

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is already up to seven goals for the season and his ability to link play will be essential against a side like Red Star, who will be content to sit back for long periods.

Additionally, Philippe Coutinho came off the bench at the weekend against RB Leipzig and the Brazilian could well start in this game should Kovac adopt to utilise his speed and intricate footwork.

Wednesday's game will be the first between the two sides since October 2007, when Bayern won 3-2 in a UEFA Cup group stage game.

Red Star Belgrade striker Milan Pavkov celebrates after opening the scoring against Liverpool on November 6, 2018© Reuters

For Red Star, this will be their second successive season in the Champions League after making their debut last year, when they shocked many by beating Liverpool before eventually finishing bottom of their group.

To reach the group stages this year, Vladan Milojevic's side have already recorded aggregate triumphs over FK Suduva, HJK Helsinki, FC Copenhagen and Young Boys.

Key to last season's famous win was striker Milan Pavkov, who scored a double and the forward fired in another brace at the weekend against Indija to take him to six goals in eight games for the season.

Central to Red Star's hopes of victory will be centre-back Milos Degenek, the team's main defensive organiser, captain Marko Marin, their main playmaker, and wingers Aleksa Vukanovic and Ben Nabouhane, their key avenues of attack on the counter.

Bayern Munich recent form (all competitions): LWDWWD

Red Star Belgrade recent form (all competitions): DWDDWW


Team News

David Alaba in action for Bayern Munich in pre-season on August 7, 2018© Reuters

Bayern have an almost fully fit squad to choose from, with David Alaba and Leon Goretzka the only major absentees.

Alaba got injured in the warm-up before the Leipzig game, while Goretzka recently underwent surgery to correct a thigh problem.

In the Austrian's absence, summer signing Lucas Hernandez will slide across to left-back, with Jerome Boateng partnering Niklas Sule in the heart of defence.

Beyond that, Kovac is likely to stick with the pace of Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry out wide, although Coutinho is expected to be restored to the team in place of Thomas Muller.

Red Star will be without the services of Portuguese striker Tomane, as he is suspended following his red against Young Boys in the last round, but beyond that Milojevic could stick with the side that won on Saturday.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Sule, Boateng, Hernandez; Kimmich, Thiago; Coman, Coutinho, Gnabry; Lewandowski

Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Gobeljic, Degenek, Babic, Rodic; Canas, Jovancic; Nabouhane, Marin, Vukanovic; Pavkov.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bayern Munich 4-1 Red Star Belgrade

Bayern simply have too much quality across the field, especially in the attacking areas, for their Serbian opponents but it wouldn't be a shock to see the away side cause them a few issues along the way.



ID:371718: cacheID:371718:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9112:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jerome Boateng in action for Bayern Munich in pre-season on August 7, 2018
Read Next:
Bayern Munich open to Jerome Boateng exit?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!