MX23RW : Monday, December 14 14:36:58| >> :120:14074:14074:
Dec 9, 2020 at 8pm UK at Allianz Arena
BayernBayern Munich
2-0
LokomotivLokomotiv Moscow
Sule (63'), Maxim Choupo-Moting (80')
Boateng (64'), Sane (69')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Zhivoglyadov (60')

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Lokomotiv Moscow - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between Bayern Munich and Lokomotiv Moscow, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bayern Munich round off their Champions League Group A campaign with a home game against bottom side Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday evening.

The reigning European champions are already assured of top spot heading into matchday six, while Lokomotiv have a slim chance of finishing in third.


Match preview

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Bayern's record run of 15 successive victories in the Champions League, a run that took them all the way to the title last season, came to an end in their most recent match.

However, the 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid can be considered an impressive point for the German giants given that they fielded a weakened XI.

Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer were left out of the squad, while Thomas Muller was brought on as a second-half substitute and scored from the penalty spot.

Hansi Flick was in a position to heavily rotate as top spot has been guaranteed since beating Red Bull Salzburg two weeks ago.

Assuming an experimental side is fielded at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, Lokomotiv will consider this an opportunity to pull off what would still be a big upset.

Current Lokomotiv Moscow manager Marko Nikolic in charge of Vidi in October 2018© Reuters

The Russian side still have something to play for, too, as three points in Bavaria, combined with Salzburg failing to beat Atletico, will see them book a Europa League last-32 spot.

Lokomotiv have taken points off Atletico home and away this term, as well as holding Salzburg away, but they are winless in UEFA's flagship competition in 10 games.

It is worth nothing, though, that their most recent such victory came on German soil against Bayer Leverkusen in September 2019.

Bayern are the best team in Europe for a reason, of course, and they are looking to win for a 20th time in 21 home group outings.

They are unbeaten in 15 games overall since a shock 4-1 loss to Hoffenheim in late September - that being their only defeat in 45 outings in a run spanning nearly a year.

Bayern Munich Champions League form: WWWWWD
Bayern Munich form (all competitions): WDWWDD

Lokomotiv Moscow Champions League form: DLDDL
Lokomotiv Moscow form (all competitions): LWDDLW


Team News

Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring their second goal on February 25, 2020© Reuters

Flick made nine changes to Bayern's starting lineup for the trip to Atletico and something similar can be expected here.

Bright Arrey-Mbi made his debut in the draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, becoming the club's youngest European starter, and will hope to earn another start.

Wingers Douglas Costa and Serge Gnabry were brought on as subs against RB Leipzig at the weekend and may return for this one, highlighting Bayern's strength in depth.

As for the hosts, Daniil Kulikov has tested positive for coronavirus and will play no part, so Stanislav Magkeev should start in central midfield.

Ze Luis, Fedor Smolov, Mikhail Lysov and Dmitri Barinov are Lokomotiv's other confirmed injury absentees.

Anton Miranchuk has netted three of Lokomotiv's five goals in the Champions League this season, while also attempting more shots (7) and creating more chances (8) than any other player for the Russian side.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Nubel; Sarr, Sule, Alaba, Richards; Musiala, Roca, Goretzka; Gnabry, Choupo-Moting, Costa

Lokomotiv Moscow possible starting lineup:
Guilherme; Zhivoglyadov, Corluka, Cerqueira, Rybus; Ignatjev, Krychowiak, Magkeev, Miranchuk; Eder, Lisakovich


SM words green background

We say: Bayern Munich 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow

Even accounting for the mass changes that Flick is likely to make, Bayern will still have a strong side on display at the Allianz Arena.

Lokomotiv need a victory to have any hope of keeping their European campaign alive, but they are winless in 10 Champions League matches and that will surely not change on Wednesday.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:425579:cQx

Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Bayern and Lokomotiv?

Bayern Munich
79.8%
Draw
10.7%
Lokomotiv Moscow
9.5%
652
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Thomas Muller in action for Bayern Munich against Union Berlin on May 17, 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1174023101325
2Bayern MunichBayern1173135171824
3RB Leipzig117312391424
4Wolfsburg115601811721
5Borussia DortmundDortmund116142315819
6Union BerlinUnion Berlin114522315817
7Stuttgart114522417717
8Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach114522017317
9Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt112721619-313
10Augsburg113441417-313
11Hertha Berlin113351920-112
12Hoffenheim113351921-212
13Werder Bremen112541419-511
14Freiburg112541422-811
15FC Koln112451317-410
16Arminia Bielefeld11218822-147
17Mainz 05111281225-135
18Schalke 04Schalke11047833-254

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