On Wednesday, Barcelona (2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw) travels to Allianz Arena to take on Bayern Munich (5-0-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona odds and lines, and make our best Champions League bets, picks and predictions.
Already having clinched Group E, Bayern Munich has looked unstoppable, and with the injury to PSG’s Neymar, it could be considered the favorite to win the Champions League.
Bayern Munich is led by star F Robert Lewandowski. He’s been terrific so far this season. Bayern is 8 points ahead of second-place Barcelona in the group. It is 4 points ahead of Dortmund for the top spot in the Bundesliga.
As for Barcelona, it has been sliding on a downhill slope since Lionel Messi left.
It ranks 7th in La Liga competitions with 23 points in 15 games. F Memphis Depay has been its most consistent scorer this season. A win clinches Barcelona a spot in the Champions League knockout round.
Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:14 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bayern Munich -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Barcelona +440 (bet $100 to win $440) | Draw +400
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Prediction
Bayern Munich 2, Barcelona 1
Money line (ML)
BET BAYERN MUNICH (-200).
The value here isn’t terrific, but it’s certainly good enough to place a wager on. Bayern has looked unstoppable in both Bundesliga play and in Champions League action.
It’s not just that Bayern has won all five games, but it’s how it’s winning.
Although not in the most competitive group, Bayern has scored 19 goals in 5 games and given up 3. Behind two goals from Lewandowski, it took down Barcelona 3-0 in Spain.
Given Barcelona’s recent change in management, I would stay away from betting on the road side.
We’ve seen teams like Liverpool and PSG, which didn’t need a win, come out on top. The case for a sluggish Bayern just isn’t there. It should be at its top form, and I’d bet on Bayern coming out on top.
Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the UNDER 3.5 (-110). Barcelona has experience on its backline, and that should help it tame an insanely talented Bayern attack.
With defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba both projected to start, Barcelona should be able to limit a team that scored 3 goals with only 7 shots on target last time these two teams met. Barcelona has just 5 goals in 5 games and has allowed just 6 in UCL play.
Barcelona is as bad of a team as when it faced Bayern in its first meeting. With something to play for in this one, we should get a focused Barcelona team, making the UNDER 3.5 (-110) the better play here.
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