Bayern Munich vs Man City: Team News, Match Preview And Likely Line-Ups
Manchester City will have to cause an unlikely upset and affect a three-goal swing on hosts Bayern Munich to top Champions League Group D.
Both sides have already guaranteed their places in the knockout stages ahead of this clash. Munich need a point to clinch top spot, but boast a fearsome and strong home record.
City lost their only previous visit to the Allianz Arena 2-0 in September 2011 with Mario Gomez bagging a first half brace. Manuel Pellegrini's team were comprehensively beaten at home by Bayern on matchday two this term with supporting trio Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben all on target.
Team News
Munich manager Pep Guardiola may field fringe players for this dead rubber encounter, but may also be tempted to name the same XI that put seven past Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga at the weekend.
Robben, who is out until the New Year with a knee injury, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Holger Badstuber are all definite absentees for the hosts. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm has missed the last three matches with a calf strain, so may not be risked.
Pellegrini meanwhile has Spanish playmaker David Silva back after missing the last six matches with a calf problem. City will be without suspended midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure. Defenders Gael Clichy (foot) and Matija Nastasic (calf) have not travelled to Germany along with attacker Stevan Jovetic.
City have a crunch meeting with Premier League leaders Arsenal to come on Saturday. Pellegrini may thus play Joe Hart in goal and rest other members of his side's spine that featured in the 1-1 draw at Southampton here.
Source: BBC
Likely Line-Ups
Bayern: 1 Manuel Neuer, 13 Rafinha, 5 Daniel van Buyten, 4 Dante, 28 Diego Contento, 8 Javi Martinez, 11 Xherdan Shaqiri, 39 Toni Kroos, 6 Thiago Alcantara, 37 Julian Green, 14 Claudio Pizarro 4-1-4-1
Man City: 1 Joe Hart, 2 Micah Richards, 26 Martin Demichelis, 6 Joleon Lescott, 13 Aleksandar Kolarov, 14 Javi Garcia, 17 Jack Rodwell, 15 Jesus Navas, 8 Samir Nasri, 21 David Silva, 10 Edin Dzeko 4-2-3-1