Two clubs who still boast a 100% record in this season’s Champions League meet at the Emirates on Wednesday night as Premier League leaders Arsenal host Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Arsenal bounced back from their 2-2 draw away at Sunderland before the international break by thrashing their North London rivals Tottenham 4-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.
That victory, coupled with Manchester City’s 2-1 loss away at Newcastle United the night before, has seen the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League table extended to six points ahead of their clash at Stamford Bridge against now second-placed Chelsea on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men have been faultless in this season’s Champions League so far, with their 0-3 win over Slavia Prague last time out making it four wins from four in the competition.
Another team who have been faultless in the league phase of the Champions League this term is Bayern Munich, whose 1-2 victory in Paris against reigning champions PSG on MD4 also made it four wins from four.
Similar to their hosts, Vincent Kompany’s men headed into the November international break off the back of a 2-2 draw away from home, but returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion at the weekend.
The record Bundesliga champions were 0-2 down at home to Freiburg, but six unanswered goals saw them win 6-2 and maintain their six-point buffer at the top of the Bundesliga table.
How the bookies view it: Home advantage for Gunners
The bookies favour Arsenal to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League this season, with bet365 pricing a home success at 6/5.
Bet365 have priced Bayern at 11/5 to make it five wins from five in the competition, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Bayern dominance
These two clubs have met 14 times in the Champions League since the turn of the century, with their German giants winning eight and losing just three (W8-D3-L3).
The most recent of which came in the quarter-finals in the 2023/24 season, with Bayern progressing 3-2 on aggregate (2-2 & 1-0).
Players to watch: Harry to haunt Arsenal again?
Bukayo Saka is starting to regain his top form, with the England international finding the back of the net in three of his last five appearances for Arsenal, as well as grabbing a goal against Serbia on England duty a fortnight ago.
The Arsenal vice captain also scored against Bayern when the pair last faced each other at the Emirates two seasons ago, and is an appealing 6/5 at Paddy Power to Score or Assist on Wednesday night.
Harry Kane has been in sensational form once again for Bayern Munich this season, with the England captain firing in 24 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions.
The ex-Spurs striker has scored 15 goals in his 21 appearances against Arsenal over the years, and the 11/10 on offer at Paddy Power for him to Score or Assist is far too big to ignore.
Predicted line-ups:
Mikel Arteta will be without Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres due to injury, but Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are available after returning to the bench on Sunday against Spurs.
Bayern will once again be without Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala due to injury, whilst Luis Diaz is suspended following his red card at PSG on MD4.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Eze, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Merino
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic, Pavlovic, Goretzka, Karl, Olise, Gnabry, Kane
Anything else catch the eye?
Not only do Arsenal boast a 100% record in the Champions League this season, but they have yet to concede a goal from their four victories, however, it will be a big ask to shut this Bayern attack out.The Bavarians have fired in an incredible 64 goals across their opening 18 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 2+ goals in all 18 (100%) of them, and 3+ in 14 (78%).
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals has been a winning selection in four of Bayern’s last five encounters in all competitions – as well as in 3/4 (75%) of their Champions League clashes – and a repeat pays an appealing 21/20 at William Hill.
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