Bayern Munich will re-start their Champions League campaign by playing their fifth match of the group stage, when they travel to Rostov.
After the 5-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena in the opening game of the Champions League, European debutant Rostov will be keen to make it more of a contest this time.
The home side is yet to bag a single win on their first ever Champions League season. With only one point to their credit, they reside in the third place of Group D table. Bayern’s only defeat against the group-leader Atletico Madrid has kept them on the second place with nine points.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will play against Rostov with a single motive to win this game. A victory will put them back on the race to claim the top spot on the group.
Being already eliminated from the next-round qualification, Rostov will play for their pride in front of their fans, and a win will also confirm their Europa League venture this season.
Team News: Rostov
Ivan Daniliant’s team shows no sign of any injuries, and all the players look rather fit for the showdown against Bayern.
Attackers Christian Noboa and Aleksandru Gatcan are in superb form in domestic competitions. They should be the key players for Rostov in this clash.
Aleksandr Bukharov, injured since September 9, returned to the side as a late substitute at Rubin.
Rostov has managed just one victory in their recent five matches in all competitions. Their strikers, Poloz and Azmoun, look in pretty bad shape right now. Thus, they must instill quality in their performance if they want to beat the German giants from Munich.
Rostov: Predicted Line-up (5-3-2) Dzhanaev- Navas, Kurdyasov, Mevlja, Granat, Kalachev- Gatcan, Noboa, Erokhin- Poloz, Azmoun
Team News: Bayern Munich
Our goal is set, everyone knows what to do. We’re ready and looking forward to the game against Rostov tonight! #packmas #ROSFCB #UCL pic.twitter.com/RAGwrfJ0BZ
— Philipp Lahm (@philipplahm) November 23, 2016
Carlo Ancelotti’s side looks without a stain at the moment as injuries are of no concern to them. In their 1-0 defeat against their rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend, Bayern’s players, especially strikers, failed to utilize their chances. So the Bavarians should improve, and they should take their chances efficiently.
Striker Robert Lewandowski should be Ancelotti’s main man in the attacking lineup despite his mediocre performance in the “German super-clasico” vs. Dortmund.
Young winger Kingsley Coman suffered knee and ankle injuries in training with his national team two weeks ago, and he will be out for rest of the year.
Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa will likely start the match. They should provide much-needed width and pace to the team.
Since the match hugely depends upon control of the midfield, Ancelotti may choose the likes of Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal, and Thiago Alcantara to control the possession.
Captain Phillip Lahm is a booking away from suspension. He will have to be cautious against Rostov.
Bayern Munich: Predicted Line-up (4-3-3)
Neuer – Rafinha, Hummels, Boateng, Bernat – Alonso, Vidal, Thiago – Robben, Costa, Lewandowski
Rostov vs Bayern Munich: Head-to-Head
Total games: One Rostov wins: 0 Bayern Munich wins: One Draws: 0
Rostov vs. Bayern Munich: TV Schedule and Channel
In the U.K., the match will be live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Live Streaming. In the U.S., ESPN Deportes USA, ESPN3 USA, Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO, and WatchESPN. For other regions, TV schedule can be found in the link here .
Rostov vs. Bayern Munich: Prediction
There’s cold, there’s freezing, then there’s Rostov… ??? pic.twitter.com/pdmA2F1gKp
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) November 22, 2016
Rostov’s form in the Champions League is pretty disappointing as they haven’t won a single match so far. Although they are already eliminated from the qualification of UCL, they would love to give something to their fans to cheer up by being selected for the Europa League.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, must need a win in order to put pressure on group leader Atletico Madrid. Failing to win here would inflict a serious blow to the German giants in their quest of becoming the group leaders.
The Bavarians look well settled and full of quality than their counterparts. From what it looks now, the result should go in the favor of Bayern Munich.
Final Predicted Score: Rostov 0-2 Bayern Munich
Rostov vs. Bayern Munich: Betting Tips and Odds
- Rostov win: 11/1
- A draw: 5/1
- Bayern Munich win: 1/4
- Under 2.5 goals: 5/4
- Over 2.5 goals: 4/7
- Both teams score: 11/10
- Both teams fail to score: 4/6
The odds were provided by Paddypower .
Key Stats to consider
- Rostov has lost three matches and drawn one in their last four Champions League matches.
- Rostov has only scored three goals in their last four Champions League matches.
- Bayern Munich scored five goals when these two sides met in the first leg.
- Bayern Munich has not failed to qualify as the group winners since 2009
The Rostov vs. Bayern Munich stats were provided by Soccerway .
Rostov vs. Bayern Munich Live Stream
The match can be streamed live online by clicking this link .
[Featured Image by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images]