Arsenal Women return to try and defend their UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) crown when they take on Bayern Munich Women at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners rescued a spirited 1-1 draw against reigning Women’s Super League (WSL) champions Chelsea Women at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend, keeping themselves just about in the title race. Meanwhile, Bayern Women beat Union Berlin Women 4-0 on home soil, and so are in high spirits heading into this clash.
In the UWCL, both teams have had mixed starts so far, winning and losing each of their opening two games in the competition. They have also shared two wins each in the last four H2Hs, which suggests that this is a close match to call.
Nonetheless, feel free to read our preview for the game below, while also taking a look at our expert tips and predictions based off of odds and current trends.
How the bookies view it: Arsenal Women favourites
Arsenal Women are 21/20 favourites with BoyleSports to win this game. Bayern Women can also be backed at 13/8 odds with the same bookmaker.
However, we find the 23/10 odds for a draw in this fixture particularly appealing, given the similar recent form and H2H record for both teams. It is the highest that BoyleSports have to offer in terms of a results outcome.
Recent head-to-head: Arsenal Women edge five-goal thriller
Both teams met in the same competition in December, where Arsenal Women won 3-2 on home soil thanks to a dramatic late winner. Both Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey were on the scoresheet for the Gunners, alongside an own goal, while Magdalena Eriksson managed to net herself a brace for the visitors.
Players to watch: Russo always a threat
Russo also scored against Chelsea Women last time out, and netted in each of Arsenal Women’s opening two UWCL games. The Lioness striker always poses a threat to whichever opponent she plays against.
Lea Schuller did not play against Union Berlin Women, but should return to Bayern Women’s lineup here. The forward is just as important to her team.
Predicted lineups
As mentioned, Schuller should return to the starting XI for Bayern Women. The hosts have no fresh concerns in their squad.
Katie Reid will unfortunately play no part for Arsenal Women after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
Bayern Munich Women: Grohs (GK); Gwinn, Ballisager, Viggosdottir, Kett; Tanikawa, Stanway; Dallmann, Harder, Buhl; Schuller.
Arsenal Women: van Domselaar (GK); Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Mead, Caldentey, Pelova, Foord; Blackstenius, Russo.
Anything else catch the eye?
The two H2Hs last season produced a total of 12 goals, so we are expecting plenty more here. BoyleSports are offering 8/5 odds for over 3.5 total goals here.
In a similar vein, both of those meetings saw two goals scored in the first half, one for each team. We feel like backing over 1.5 total first-half goals is also reasonable at 7/5 odds with the same bookmaker.
Alongside our further prediction of a draw, we feel that these odds offer decent value.
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