Bayern Munich vs Arsenal predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable line-ups
Bayern Munich have slumped domestically this season and the Champions League is their last remaining chance to secure silverware, but they will have a tough fight on their hands to reach the last four when Arsenal roll into town for this quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena.
This decider kicks off on Wednesday April 17th at 20:00 BST, with coverage available in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and Ultimate.
And the tie is delicately poised following last week’s pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
The Bavarians have reached the semi-finals of this competition nine times over the last 16 seasons but they will need to be at their best to end Arsenal’s quest for European glory.
The Bundesliga title has gone for Bayern, while the Gunners’ Premier League hopes took a hit with their 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, and their record at the Allianz Arena doesn’t make for pleasant reading either.
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Home comforts key for Bayern
The Allianz Arena has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners who have lost 5-1 on their last two visits to the Munich stronghold and a cagey contest looks likely between two sides who will be desperate not to lose.
Bayern are seeking to extend an unbeaten sequence of 14 home Champions League matches, and it has often proved a step too far for Arsenal who have won just once on six visits to the venue, having beaten the German giants on just three occasions overall.
Last week’s opening instalment looked to be heading Bayern’s way with Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane overturning Bukayo Saka’s early opener.
Leandro Trossard’s late leveller put Arsenal on an even footing, but the signs are ominous for the north Londoners ahead of the return fixture.
On the last 18 occasions that Bayern have avoided defeat in a Champions League knockout round first leg, they have progressed 17 times, and they are warm favourites to extend that sequence and seal a place in the final four against either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
Meetings between these two have often been lively with eight of the 13 meetings seeing both teams score, while over 2.5 goals would have been a winning bet on seven occasions.
This decider, though, is likely to be more cagey as neither side will want their European dreams to be shattered at this stage of the competition with the Wembley final just sneaking into sight.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal team news
Manuel Neuer should return in goal after being rested at the weekend but Alphonso Davies misses out through suspension and Kingsley Coman is injured. Leroy Sane is a major doubt following a head knock and faces a late fitness test.
Martin Odegaard trained on Tuesday for Arsenal despite being forced off in the weekend defeat to Aston Villa. Jurrien Timber remains absent but the Gunners otherwise possess a clean bill of health.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal predicted line-ups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Guerreiro; Laimer, Goretzka; Muller, Musiala, Sane; Kane.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli; Jesus.