UCL: Bayern Munich vs Manchester United Odds
Blockbuster Champions League Opener
United in Danger of Losing Three in a Row
Bayern Munich take on Manchester United on Wednesday in one of the best Champions League matchups of the group stage. In a group with Copenhagen and Galatasaray, Bayern and Man United are heavily favored to make it to the round of 16.
Regardless, they’ll both want to kick off the group stage with a win. Bayern are unbeaten this season, while Man United are trying to avoid a third straight defeat in all competitions. For this match at the Allianz Arena, we’ll take a look at the Bayern vs Manchester odds.
Bayern Munich vs Manchester United
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 20th, 3:00 p.m. ET
Head-to-Head:
Bayern Munich and Manchester United have played 11 previous games vs. each other on their Champions League schedules. In those matches, Bayern have gotten the better of United. The Bavarians are 4-5-2 vs. Manchester United in the Champions League. They last played in 2014, when Bayern picked up a 4-2 aggregate victory to advance to the quarterfinals. In five previous UCL meetings at the Allianz Arena, United are 0-2-3.
Thomas Tuchel’s First UCL Match With Bayern
Bayern Munich head coach led Chelsea to an improbable Champions League victory in the 2020-21 season. He led Bayern to an 11th straight title last season after taking over in the middle of the campaign. He’ll be at the helm for his first Champions League match with Bayern. Harry Kane will also make his UCL debut with the Bavarians in this match.
In his last 10 appearances vs Manchester United, all with Tottenham, Kane scored four goals and provided three assists. Kane scored the opening goal in an exciting 2-2 draw vs. an upstart Bayer Leverkusen last Friday. He currently leads Bayern with four goals this season, while Leroy Sane isn’t far behind, with three. Since their 3-0 loss in the DFL-Supercup in August, Bayern have gone unbeaten in four Bundesliga matches.
They also have an excellent record in Champions League group stages. They’ve finished first in their group in the Champions League standings in each of the last five seasons. Bayern are actually on a ridiculous 34-game unbeaten streak in the group stage, which is a Champions League record. In each of the last two campaigns, they’ve been perfect in the group stage and are 31-3-0 on their unbeaten run.
Manuel Neuer still hasn’t returned from his leg injury but he’s getting closer. In the meantime, Sven Ulreich has deputized in goal. Kingsley Coman and Raphael Guerreiro should also be sidelined on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, the Bayern vs Manchester odds price the Bavarians as -180 favorites for the match.
Manchester United in Crisis Mode
Manchester United’s 31-game home unbeaten streak ended on Saturday as Brighton outclassed the Red Devils. The Seagulls went up 20 minutes courtesy of former Manchester United player Danny Welbeck. It looked like United had equalized as new signing Rasmus Hojlund finished off a Marcus Rashford cross. However, it was overturned by VAR because the ball had crossed the end line before Rashford crossed it.
In the second half, Brighton punished the Red Devils with two more well-taken goals. Hannibal Mejri got a consolation goal but United fell 3-1. Erik ten Hag hasn’t managed to get anywhere close to the best out of his players so far this season. They’re just 2-3 in the Premier League and haven’t put in a single complete performance.
Injuries have also struck at quite an inopportune time. Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Raphael Varane have all missed the last few games. There’s an outside shot Mount and Varane could suit up for this match, though. Sofyan Amrabat could also make his debut after United signed the midfielder on loan from Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho isn’t training with the team due to a falling out with Erik ten Hag. Fellow winger Antony is on a leave of absence due to allegations of abuse. United are in crisis mode right now and a match at Bayern Munich could force them to crumble even further. Manchester United’s recent Champions League stats are underwhelming. They haven’t reached the semifinals since 2010-11.
Match Analysis & Odds
Bayern Munich are getting Manchester United at the perfect time. Between internal issues, injuries and subpar performances, United are in trouble. Currently, the Bayern vs Manchester odds list the Bavarians as one-goal favorites. Bayern -1 shows -115 odds and they won every single group stage match they played by a multi-goal margin last season.
At -180 moneyline odds, Bayern have an implied 64.3 percent chance to win the match, and I’d take them up to -220 odds. They figure to cause a whole lot of problems for Manchester United’s defense between Harry Kane, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry. United have conceded at least two goals in each of their last three games, and Man U +1 is priced at -105 odds. Ten Hag’s Red Devils are +505 moneyline underdogs, and they’ve never won at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League era.
Contextually, a draw would be an excellent result for Manchester United and could stop the bleeding. A deadlock sits at +410 odds for Wednesday’s Champions League opener. Punters can also take over three goals at -145 odds in what could turn into a shootout.
For UCL betting news, Champions League odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
