Champions League holders Bayern Munich will attempt to make it nine points from three Group D matches when they welcome Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Bayern have taken six points from two games thus far with wins over CSKA Moscow and Manchester City, while Plzen are yet to record a point having lost to the Russian and the English outfit.
The two sides have previous in European competition having clashed in the first round of the European Cup Winners' Cup in the 1971-72 campaign. It was Bayern that emerged 7-1 victors on aggregate, with current club president Uli Hoeness appearing in both matches.
Bayern have won 13 of their last 15 European Cup matches at the Allianz Arena, but Plzen have lost just one of their last eight games in Europe on the road. That said, the German outfit have never lost at home to Czech opposition - their overall record reads win seven, drawn two and lost one against teams from the Czech Republic.
Bayern, who also won a domestic double last season, currently sit top of the Bundesliga, having collected 23 points from their nine matches. They enter the match on the back of a 4-1 win over Mainz at the weekend.
Plzen, meanwhile, have collected 25 points from their 11 matches in their domestic division this season. They also enter the match on the back of a positive result, having drawn 1-1 with league leaders Slavia Prague on Saturday.
Franck Ribery is doubtful for the home side after picking up an ankle injury in training, but the Frenchman is expected to return to the starting XI. Should the 30-year-old miss out, then Toni Kroos could come into the team. Brazilian defender Dante will miss out with a foot injury.
Summer signing from Barcelona, Thiago, is also still on the sidelines, while Mario Gotze is expected to start on the bench as he continues to ease his way into the team. That said, an attacking lineup should include the likes of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic.
Plzen, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash. Marek Barkos is expected to lead their line with support from Frantisek Rajtoral. Tomas Horava and Pavel Horvath are also expected to line up in midfield.
Recent form
Bayern Munich: WWWDW
Viktoria Plzen: DWLWD
Possible starting lineups
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Contento, Alaba; Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic
Viktoria Plzen: Kozacik; Hubnik, Reznik, Prochazka, Horava; Horvath, Petrzela, Kovarik, Kolar, Rajtoral; Bakos
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.