Bayern Munich will continue their UEFA Champions League journey this Tuesday when they welcome Viktoria Plzen to Allianz Arena for the third round of the group round.
Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich)
Key Statistics
Bayern Munich have suffered just one defeat in their last 13 (UCL) games (W10, D2).
They have not conceded in the UCL this season while scoring four times.
Bayern are unbeaten in their last 30 UCL group stage games, a run that stretches back to 2017 (W27, D3).
Bayern Munich have claimed victory in 12 successive home UCL group stage games.
Viktoria Plzen have conceded at least five goals apiece in the two European games that they have played against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Viktoria Plzen have kept only one clean sheet in their 20 matches in the UEFA Champions League – the lowest percentage among teams to have played at least 15 matches in the competition.
The visitors have conceded 25 goals in their last seven games away from home in the UEFA Champions League.
They are currently on a run of 32 games without defeat in the Czech Liga (W22, D10).
Head to head
Bayern Munich have a predictably flawless record against Viktoria Plzen and have won all four matches that have been played between the two teams.
Latest performances in all competitions
Bayern Munich: W-L-W-D-W
Viktoria Plzen: D-W-L-W-L
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will be looking to secure three consecutive victories at the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign for the fourth consecutive season when they welcome Plzen to Munich this Tuesday.
The hosts have enjoyed a successful start to their UCL campaign this year, having won their opening two games against Inter Milan and Barcelona, both by a 2-0 scoreline.
But in the domestic league, they struggled badly and went into the September international break without a domestic league win in four games(D3, L1). However, a 4-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday helped relieve a portion of the mounting pressure on Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, some of which the German described as ‘crazy’.
They welcome Viktoria Plzen to Munich full of confidence after that emphatic display. They will now hope to extend their impressive unbeaten run in the UCL group stage games to 31 games as they are unbeaten in their last 30 UCL group stage games–a run that stretches back to 2017 (W27, D3).
With six points from two games, they sit on top of their group and can essentially put one foot into the knockout stages if they win this game. That seems to be well within the realm of possibility too, with Die Roten given that they have won both previous H2Hs against Viktoria Plzeň alongside claiming victory in 12 successive home UCL group stage games.
Possible Bayern Munich starting line-up
Manuel Neuer; Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt, Alphonso Davies; Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer; Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry; Jamal Musiala, Sadio Mane.
Injured: Bouna Sarr, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller, Lucas Hernández, Joshua Kimmich
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Viktoria Plzen
Czech Republic-based Viktoria Plzen have endured a poor start to their UCL campaign, losing their opening two games while conceding seven goals.
The visitors knew from the onset when they were put in the same group with three teams who have all won the UCL title in the past that they were in for a long ride. Two games into the campaign, it’s already getting towards the now or never stage for Plzeň in this group of death as they stand the chance of getting almost completely knocked out of the group stage.
It does not get better for them too when considering that in their only previous visit to the Allianz Arena they received a 5-0 drubbing from Bayern, part of a run of five defeats from six against German opposition (D1).
But if they are looking for any source of confidence and motivation, it has to come from their domestic form. Michal Bílek’s side have been impressive in the Czech league, stretching from last season.
They come into this tie on a run of 32 games without defeat in the Czech Liga (W22, D10), which secured Plzeň the title last year and has helped see them go top of the league after nine games this term.
They will hope they can translate that dominant run in the domestic league to a win, or even a draw here.
Possible Viktoria Plzen starting line-up
Jindrich Stanek; Milan Havel, Lukas Hejda, Ludek Pernica, Vaclav Jemelka; Modou N’Diaye, Lukas Kalvach; Jhon Mosquera, Adam Vlkanova, Jan Sykora; Tomas Chory,.
Injured: Jan Kliment, Jan Kopic
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Pavel Bucha
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Plzen
