Betdistrict.com
Bayern Munchen will try to get its third consecutive win in group D while visitors Viktoria Plzen are looking for their first point, for sure a nearly impossible task for the czech minnows to achieve on Allianz Arena.
After some uncertainty in the start of the season with the manager change, Bayern has started to really get going under the new playing style implemented by Josep Guardiola. The germans are very close to last seasons` level right now and they have been utterly dominant in the Champions league so far: 3-0 vs. CSKA, 3-1 at Manchester City. Aside from an away draw at strong Leverkusen, Bayern has 7 consecutive wins in all competitions. Five of of those wins came by at least 2 goals and three of them by at least 3 goals. The bavarians come into this match on the back of an entertaining 4-1 win against Mainz. Bayern is very strong and in fantastic form right now, and Guardiola will field a super strong team for today`s match in a quest to qualify as soon as possible for the Round 16.
Viktoria Plzen affirmed itself as a decent side in the last editions of the UCL, but the czech champions were surely very unlikely to be drawn against Bayern, City and CSKA in this group. Plzen lost 0-3 at home to City after being utterly dominated and lost again 2-3 at Moscow after a more spirited performance. Plzen`s problem is that, unlike recent years, they are struggling in the league too: they are 2nd, but won only once in the last 3 games and are 6 points behind leaders Sparta Prague. Plzen seems to be weaker than in the last seasons, I was also largely unimpressed by them in the playoffs against Maribor.
 |
Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Team news & lineups
Ribery is doubtful but it`s looking very likely that he will start, Dante and Thiago are out, Javi Martinez as well but he could be on the bench. Boateng is also highly questionable. Viktoria Plzen is pretty much at full strength with no new injury concerns or suspensions.
Bayern: Neuer – Rafinha, Can Buyten, Contento, Alaba – Lahm, Schweinsteiger – Robben, Muller, Ribery – Mandzukic
Plzen: Kozacik – Hubnik, Reznik, Prochazka, Horava – Horvath, Petrzela, Kovarik, Kolar, Rajtoral – Bakos
It will be very hard for the czech team to compete against Bayern considering that they have a slow and rigid defense, while the germans have a huge number of options up front and they are extremely fast in both speed and passing play. This match-up should be the key in allowing Bayern to get a big win today instead of a relaxed let`s say 2-0. Also, Bayern does not back down from scoring, no matter how big their lead is.
Bayern does have some problems in the defensive area with some guys missing, and Plzen is a good offensive team so you could think that maybe, just maybe they have a chance of scoring. But even if they do it, I do not think that one should be scared of taking a big handicap on Bayern today. The bavarian side is pumping on all cylinders, winning by a big margin against pretty much any team. They destroyed City away (a City team that left no chance to Plzen in the Czech Republic) and beat Moscow 3-0 by playing in the 2nd gear. Plzen clearly showed that it can`t compete in this strong group and at home Bayern is expected to record a convincing victory today. The bet is pretty simple, it implies class difference form, and the match-up between Bayern`s offense and Plzen`s defense. I really can`t see any premises for a surprise here. Take Bayern to cover the 2 goal handicap without any problems. My pick for this one is Bayern Munchen – Viktoria Plzen 5-1.
Pick: Bayern (-2,5)
Odds: 1.82 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 7.38
Event date: 23 October
Editor Facts
- Rostick is 4 for 4 in Champions League in October
