In the reverse fixture in October, Bayern smashed seven past Spurs in a masterful display of attacking football, with ex-Gunners Serge Gnabry rubbing salt into Spurs’ injury with four goals. Since that fixture, though, both teams have parted ways with their managers, Nico Kovac (for Bayern) and Mauricio Pochettino (for Tottenham).
While both sides have confirmed their place in the knockout phase of the competition and their positions on the table, it still promises to be an entertaining affair when the two teams do battle at the Allianz Arena.
Domestically, Bayern is a team in shambles; they’ve already lost four matches out of fourteen league matches. They’ve lost at home to Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim, and let’s not forget the 1-5 annihilation by Frankfurt. To put their form into perspective, they only lost four games last season. Nico Kovac has already paid for their dire form with his job, but the Bavarians are yet to announce a successor, only putting Hans-Dieter Flick in charge temporarily.
It will be interesting to see how Bayern sets up today, having won the group already. They might see it as a chance to bounce back from their defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend. It could also be an opportunity to make way for those that have been on the fringes of the first team game time.
Should Bayern start a strong team, they’ll be looking to red-hot talisman Robert Lewandoski, who has scored ten goals in five matches, to sink Spurs at the Allianz Arena. The Bavarians have scored 21 goals, which typifies their freedom on the continental level. The defence, however, is a worry. They’ve conceded 18 goals in their last 13 matches, although it was only 3 in their last 6, which suggests an improving defence.
“Busted flush,” “outdated manager,” and “football has left him behind” were some of the statements that greeted Jose Mourinho’s sack at Manchester United. However, since coming back into the dugout with Tottenham, he has proven that he is anything but a busted flush. The North London club has already sealed their place in the knockout round with a “come from behind” win against Olympiacos.
For this match, though, Mourinho has confirmed that Harry Kane will not play. Yet he stressed that the team that will play will still be competitive enough to pose a challenge for Bayern. Young players like Walker-Peters, Skipp, Parrott and Sessegnon may be starting the match. There are also some injury doubts and confirmed injury absence, which means Mourinho may be dipping into the reserves for his team selection.
Mourinho has confirmed that the game is an opportunity to give some young players a chance to play, and this should reflect in his team selections. Bayern could also toe the same line and field a relatively inexperienced side. However, with a loss over the weekend in the Bundesliga, temporary coach Hans-Dieter Flick may choose to field a strong side to get back to winning ways ASAP.
The Mourinho effect is still in full swing at Tottenham, and with the host struggling for form in recent times, Spurs have a good chance of adding to the misery of the Bavarians. Bayern have lost two of their last five matches, while their North London opponents have won or drawn four of their last five matches. In terms of goals, it promises to be an open affair. Despite the unfair Jose Mourinho tag as a defensive coach, four of the last five matches involving Spurs have had over 4.5 goals. And with Bayern being an attacking club, goals are expected aplenty. Take a look at our 1xbet review and bet on Bayern vs Spurs. For more juicy tips on this match, please read our betting tips here.
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