Bayern Munich vs Manchester City
UEFA Champions League, KO: 20:00 Apr 19, 2023, Allianz Arena, Munich
BAYERN MUNICH are known as FC Hollywood for a reason, but even blockbusting scriptwriters would struggle to come up with a plot that sees them overturning their first leg Champions League deficit against their old boss Pep Guardiola and his in-form Manchester City side.
The Bavarian giants are having – by their standards – a poor season and they can count themselves fortunate Borussia Dortmund weren't able to draw level with them on top of the league at the weekend after Bayern were held to a home draw by Hoffenheim.
They were forensically taken apart by a clinical City team in the first leg at the Etihad when they beat them 3-0 and if that wasn't bad enough, new boss Thomas Tuchel is having to deal with the aftermath of that incredible incident when Sadio Mane leathered teammate Leroy Sane following the loss.
Mane was suspended at the weekend and although he will return for the Wednesday clash, all looks far from well at the Allianz Arena.
City are ominously hitting top form in the business end of the season and eased aside Leicester City at the weekend for their tenth win in a row in all competitions.
And they will be warm favourites to protect a three-goal advantage and perhaps even build on it.
How the bookies view it
Despite Bayern having to win by three goals just to take the tie into extra time, bookies still make Manchester City favourites at 29/20 with UniBet.
Bayern Munich can be backed at 9/5 with the same firm and the draw is 14/5 with bet365.
City are 1/33 to qualify with 88sport and Bayern are 16/1 to make the semi-finals with bet365.
Recent head to heads
City's 3-0 win last week moved them 4-3 ahead in total meetings between the clubs.
Players to watch
German international striker Serge Gnabry scored at home against PSG in the last round and he is 29/10 to score anytime with UniBet.
Just the double for a disappointing Erling Haaland for Saturday and the Norwegian really must do better as his poor return for the season of just 53 goals in 46 appearances for club and country clearly shows…
More seriously though, having broken his Bayern drought last week, he looks solid to score again in Germany at 5/6 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
This is far from a vintage Bayern team and there's absolutely nothing to suggest City won't want to put down a marker for the rest of Europe by completing a home and away double against the German champions.
It's not in Guardiola's make-up to ease off and a return to Bavaria will have extra significance for the Spaniard. City can complete the job in style with Haaland leading the charge.
City have scored at least three times in their last six games and it's not often you get almost even money on them netting twice in a game these days. Back them at 10/11 with UniBet to do just that.
This UEFA Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Manchester City will be played on Apr 19, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Bayern Munich vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
