Matchday three of the UEFA Champions League sees Bayern Munich vs PSV Eindhoven at the Allianz Arena. It is the first time since 2004 that Bayern have encountered a Dutch side in competitive football. They go into this match having won thirteen straight home matches in Europe. The omens don’t look good for PSV, who haven’t won a European tie away from home since 2007.
Current Form
Bayern have begun the Bundesliga season in typically impressive fashion. They won have five and drawn two of their seven league games so far, and top the table currently. Their start to the Champions League campaign has been mixed. After thrashing Russian side F.C. Rostov in their first game, they were beaten 1-0 by Atlético at the Vicente Calderón.
PSV have had an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign. They currently lie in fourth place, nine points behind Eredivisie pace setters Feyenoord. Their Champions League form has been quite similar. A 1-0 home defeat to Atlético on was followed by a spirited performance in Rostov. Having twice found themselves trailing, they battled back to claim a 2-2 draw.
Team News – Bayern
Carlo Ancelotti has almost a full strength squad available to choose from. The only confirmed absentee is Franck Ribéry, who is out with a muscle strain. Recently absent have been Javi Martínez, Robert Lewandowski and Douglas Costa. They have returned to training, as have Arturo Vidal and Juan Bernat. Arjen Robben is unlikely to start following injury, but could make an appearance from the bench.
Likely Line-up: Neuer, Rafinha, Hummels, Boateng, Alaba, Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Kimmich, Renato Sanches, Lewandowski, Müller.
Team News – PSV
There are two main absentees for PSV manager Phillip Cocu. Striker Jürgen Locadia is out with a groin injury. Midfielder Jorrit Hendrix, an ever present up until a recent knee injury, will also miss out.
Likely Line-up: Zoet; Brenet, Schwaab, Isimat-Mirin, Moreno, Willems, Guardado, Pröpper, S De Jong; Narsingh, L De Jong
Past Meetings
Bayern have met PSV in six previous encounters, and have won four of them. The last time the two sides met was in the 1999-2000 season, which was the only time PSV have beaten the Bavarians.
Final Thought
It is going to take an impressive performance from the Dutch champions to take anything from this game. Bayern have a squad full of internationals, most of whom would grace any squad in world football. It would take a brave person to bet on PSV upsetting the odds in this fixture.
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