Bayern Munich vs Spurs preview, predictions & confirmed team news as Parrott left on bench
Both Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur have already secured their places in the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League, but this should still be an entertaining match at the Allianz Arena.
Spurs were smashed 7-2 by the German side when they met back in October with former Arsenal man, Serge Gnabry, bagging four just to rub salt into the wound.
A lot has changed since then with Niko Kovac moving on, being replaced on a temporary basis by Hans-Dieter Flick and Jose Mourinho also coming in to succeed Mauricio Pochettino in the Spurs dugout.
There could be a number of players rested for this dead rubber match, but Spurs will certainly be keen to exact revenge following their humiliating defeat the last time these two sides met.
When is Bayern vs Spurs and where can I watch live?
Competition: Champions League
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate
Last five meetings: Bayern vs Spurs
20 October 1982: Spurs 1-1 Bayern Munich (Cup Winners Cup)
03 November 1982: Bayern Munich 4-1 Spurs (Cup Winners Cup)
23 November 1983: Bayern Munich 1-0 Spurs (UEFA Cup)
07 December 1983: Spurs 2-0 Bayern Munich (UEFA Cup)
01 October 2019: Spurs 2-7 Bayern Munich (Champions League)
Aggregate Score: Bayern Munich (WLWWD) 13-6 Spurs (LWLLD)
Ones to watch
Bayern Munich: Robert Lewandowski
There was talk this summer that Robert Lewandowski may be on his way out of Munich but, boy, how that has changed. The Poland international leads the Bundesliga scoring charts with 16 goals so far this season and is showing no signs of slowing down.
He has been in unstoppable form and has scored 46 per cent of all Bayern’s goals in the German top-flight this season. If he comes off the bench tonight, Spurs’ shaky defence could be tested.
Key stat: Robert Lewandowski has netted five match-winners this season for Bayern, no player in Europe’s top five leagues has netted more.
Spurs: Son Heung-Min
Son has been on fire in the Premier League this season, scoring five and assisting another seven in 14 games so far. He has such pace, as demonstrated by his goal against Burnley at the weekend, that he simply terrifies defenders.
Only Harry Kane (43) has had more shots than Son (40) in the Spurs side this season in the league, while the South Korean has also completed the most successful take-ons with 38 – at least 16 more than any of his teammates.
Key stat: Son Heung-min has been directly involved in 15 goals in his 15 appearances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions, more than any other player (nine goals, six assists).
Team news
Bayern Munich
Jerome Boateng has recovered from a toe injury to start against Spurs, joining Javi Martinez at the heart of Bayern’s defence.
Gnabry, who so enjoyed the previous meeting, starts up front with Lewandowski on the bench.
Confirmed XI: Neuer; Pavard, Javi Martinez, Boateng, Davies; Kimmich, Thiago; Coman, Coutinho, Perisic; Gnabry.
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Spurs
Spurs have several injury concerns, meaning Mourinho has had to field a rotated XI, without the likes of Harry Kane, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks all missing out.
Eric Dier captains the side while Troy Parrott will have to make do with a spot on the bench as Lucas Moura leads the line. Ryan Sessegnon features in an advanced position.
Confirmed XI: Gazzaniga; Walker-Peters, Foyth, Alderweireld, Rose; Dier, Sissoko; Lo Celso, Eriksen, Sessegnon; Lucas.
Squawka prediction
Even though there is nothing to play for, there is likely to be a more determined effort from Spurs in this one. They were heavily beaten in the previous meeting in this competition and Mourinho will want to avoid any such repeat.
That said, neither side will be without changes and Bayern clearly have a deeper squad than their London opponents, so expect a narrow victory for the hosts in this one.
Scoreline prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Spurs
