Bayern Munich will aim to consolidate their place in the top eight with a victory over Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, who are still dreaming of a playoff berth.
Bayern Munich are sitting pretty in the Bundesliga as well as in the UEFA Champions League, as Vincent Kompany will aim to take the next steps this season. There are hardly any teams on the continent with the luxury of Bayern Munich at the moment, as the Bavarian giants can effectively go strong or weak in the competition of their choice moving ahead.
With Bayern winning five of their six Champions League games so far this season, with the solitary defeat coming at the hands of current table toppers Arsenal. That loss could end up being the reason for them not finishing at the top of the table, as the competition values head-to-head clashes in the ongoing season.
Meanwhile, the Bavarian giants have a task against Union Saint-Gilloise, and Kompany will want to treat this game as a must-win, as three points on Wednesday will consolidate their place in the top eight. Bayern were victorious against Sporting CP in their most recent Champions League clash, and should Arsenal lose their next two games, there is still hope for the German outfit to finish at the very top of the table.
Union Saint-Gilloise are also sitting on top of the Jupiler Pro League in Belgium, but still have a big fight on their hands to make it to the playoff spot. There have been some memorable wins along the way against Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven in their first-ever Champions League campaign, which resembles a good campaign for a debut so far.
However, David Hubert would want to take the next steps forward, and a playoff berth might be deemed successful for the Belgian side. Currently, they are sitting a point adrift of a top-24 spot, but they do have tough ties against Bayern Munich and Atalanta to maneuver, which may seem unlikely on paper.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany does not have too many issues with player injuries, as Bara Sapoko Ndiaye and Josip Stanisic are the only ones sidelined. Meanwhile, Kondrad Laimer does have a muscle problem to deal with, with the versatile Bayern Munich star also suspended for the Union Saint-Gilloise clash.
There are doubts over Sacha Boey owing to his transfer status, and Nicolas Jackson, who is set to return following a triumphant AFCON campaign. Should the latter be fit, he could be an option to play against the Belgian outfit to allow Harry Kane some respite.
There are a couple of key stars who have recently returned from significant layoffs, including Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, with the duo likely to get starts against Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday.
Lennart Karl, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Luis Diaz are also vying for starts, and Kompany will have plenty of options to set up his attack. he could also potentially retain Leon Goretzka in the midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, which could see Joshua Kimmich either rested or deployed in the right back slot.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane
Union Saint-Gilloise
As for the away side, they do. not have many problems, with the manager expected to start Raul Florucz in the team following his return from a calf problem.
There could also be a place for Rob Schoofs after his bout with an illness over the weekend. Manager David Hubert is expected to go with a back three of Fedde Leysen, Kevin Mac Allister, and Christian Burgess.
Anan Khalaili and Ousseynou Niang will feature as wing-backs in the system, with Adem Zorgane and Kamiel van de Perre stationed in the midfield area. Marc Giger and Anouar Ait El Hadj will play in the more advanced role behind leading striker Promise David.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Scherpen; Leysen, Mac Allister, Burgess; Khalaili, Zorgane, Perre, Niang; Giger, Hadj; David
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich have won five of their six UEFA Champions League group phase game this season.
- Bayern Munich have lost just three games against Belgian sides in their entire history.
- Union Saint-Gilloise have managed only one win in their last four games against German opposition.
- Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 37 home games in the UEFA Champions League group stage/league phase (W35 D2) since a 3-2 loss against Manchester City in December 2013.
- Harry Kane has neither scored nor assisted a goal in any of his last three UEFA Champions League appearances, his joint longest run in the competition along with a three game spell with Spurs in 2022.
Player to Watch
Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich fans were worried at the optics of the Musiala injury during the Club World Cup, but it was much less significant than originally feared. As things stand, the German attacker has returned to action, but he needs consistent minutes to get back into the rhythm.
To their credit, Bayern Munich have been a force even without one of their most dangerous attackers on board, which could see Musiala add a different layer of threat on this side. Hence, the eyes will be on the attacker to perform against Union Saint-Gilloise, where he is expected to start.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise
Union Siant-Gilloise will come to Munich as the big underdogs, although their fans will hope for a positive result to keep their playoff hopes alive before the final game of the group phase. However, Bayern Munich are a top team this season and in immense form to let this slip away from the palm of their hands.
Bayern Munich are expected to win this clash with comfort, and the Bavarian giants also have home comfort to rely upon. Given their need to consolidate a top-eight place and their objective of finishing at least in the top two, one cannot look past a Bayern Munich victory on Wednesday against the Belgian opposition.
