UCL Quarter-Final: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Preview
Score Level Heading into Second Leg
Bayern’s Davies Suspended for Wednesday’s Match
Bayern Munich ended a two game losing streak when they managed to get a 2-2 draw at Arsenal last Tuesday. In what’s been a rare down season for Bayern, the Champions League is their last hope for silverware. Wednesday’s UCL Quarter-Final second leg in Munich is anyone’s match, though, and it should be an excellent watch. While Bayern have frequently made deep runs in the Champions League, if Arsenal win it’d be their first appearance in the Semifinal since 2009. As Bayern’s Alphonso Davies is suspended for the second leg we’ll check out more team news and the odds in our Bayern Munich vs Arsenal preview.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Day/Time:
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Head-to-Head
When Bukayo Saka put Arsenal ahead vs. Bayern Munich last Tuesday it appeared that the Gunners would dominate. However, Ben White missed a big chance and Serge Gnabry managed to equalize for Bayern. Then, after a stunning solo run from Leroy Sane, Bayern won a penalty, which Harry Kane converted. Kane, formerly of Arsenal’s archrivals Tottenham, is now the leading scorer for visitors to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal continued to dominate possession of the ball in the second half and substitutes made a big impact for them. Gabriel Jesus attracted a bunch of attention in the box and found an open Leandro Trossard for the equalizer. The match finished 2-2 and Bayern Munich vs Arsenal previews note that a draw was listed at +305 odds.
Most UCL scores in this fixture have gone Bayern’s way, as they’ve won 5-1 in three of the last four. However, the most recent meeting before last Tuesday was back in 2017. Bayern are 7-3-3 vs. Arsenal in the Champions League all-time.
Bayern’s Last Shot at Silverware
Since their shocking 3-2 defeat to Heidenheim on April 6th, Bayern Munich have done their best to try to salvage their season. They played well in London last week as they managed a 2-2 draw at the Emirates vs. Arsenal. The Champions League odds now price Bayern Munich at +700 to win the competition. A win at the Allianz in front of their home supporters will be enough to go through to the Semifinal. However, Thomas Tuchel will have some selection issues on his hands.
Serge Gnabry, who scored vs. former club Arsenal last week, will likely miss out due to injury. Fellow winger Kingsley Coman is out for the rest of the season with a groin issue and Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sane missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Koln with injuries. Neuer and Sane could very well suit up on Wednesday but left back Alphonso Davies is suspended.
Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro are candidates to play at the left back role. Guerreiro scored a screamer vs. Koln on Saturday, while Thomas Muller doubled Bayern’s lead. This is Bayern’s last shot at silverware this season and they’ll undoubtedly want to make their fans proud. Bettors can be assured that Kane will start up top and he has 15 career goals vs. Arsenal.
Arsenal Fall Behind in Title Race
Arsenal fell 2-0 to Aston Villa at home on Sunday in a big hit to the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes. It was Arsenal’s first home loss in the EPL since December and the Gunners lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. In games like that, Arsenal’s lack of a clinical number nine becomes readily apparent. Kai Havertz has had a solid season, but he’s not a traditional striker. Gabriel Jesus hasn’t proven to be a clinical finisher either but he’s excellent at other aspects of the game.
Mikel Arteta will try to regroup his side as there’s still a lot to play for in the EPL and the Champions League. Still, they’ve failed to win back-to-back matches for the first time since January. They’ve also won just one of their last four Champions League fixtures and a big effort is needed on Wednesday.
Jurrien Timber is the only Gunner sidelined right now but he could be quite useful for Arsenal. Neither Jakub Kiwior nor Oleksandr Zinchenko have the pace to keep up with Bayern Munich’s wingers. Takehiro Tomiyasu may be who Arteta turns to at left back to try to neutralize Bayern’s threat. At the other end of the pitch, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are the ones who are likely to carry the Gunners. Saka has scored four goals and provided four assists in this season’s Champions League.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Analysis & Odds
This is expected to be the closest match of the week in the Champions League. Our Bayern Munich vs Arsenal preview notes that Bayern are slight favorites for this one. The Bavarians come in at +140 odds to win in 90 minutes and advance to the Semifinal. Arsenal, with all of their UCL inexperience are +170 underdogs and it’s been quite a while since they’ve managed to reach a Semifinal.
With the score level at two, a draw (+265) would send this one into extra time and it’s a result that’s quite possible. Arsenal should learn from the first leg and try to limit Bayern’s counterattacking opportunities. That is where the Bavarians had most of their success and Arsenal will try to limit any unnecessary risks.
Bayern kept a clean sheet for the first time in six games over the weekend and they’ll look to be more compact. Compared to other Bayern sides of years past, this one looks unassured and relatively unorganized. There is potential for goals in this game, as over 2.5, 3 goals come in at -120 but we expect a slower pace than the first leg. Bettors can also take Bayern pk at -120 and Arsenal pk at even odds.
For UEFA Champions League news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
