Champions League: Bayern’s Title Defence Starts Now

Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid

The reigning Kings of Europe open their 2020/21 Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a mouth-watering clash against Atletico Madrid.

Group A has thrown Bayern and Atleti together with Red Bull Salzburg and Locomotiv Moscow in a group which will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. The Champions League 2020 betting odds have set Group A as the most likely foursome to produce the tournament winner, at odds of 4.00.

Bayern are heavily tipped to repeat their 2020 triumph while Los Rojiblancos are always worth tracking and are at odds of 11.00 to reach the final. Both should come through the group stage, though Red Bull in particular could prove to be an awkward opponent.

So yes, folks, the new campaign is upon us and we’ll keep you right up to date with all the Champions League 2020 news and results as they unfold, starting with this clash of the European titans at the Allianz Arena.

Talking Points

Bayern are beatable…yes really!

Hansi Flick’s team are joint favourite to win the 2021 trophy at odds of 5.20, alongside Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City; and they are at 1.30 to win this group. So they are clearly the team to beat.

But Hoffenheim did the world of European football a favour at the end of September by hammering Die Bayern 4-1 in a Bundesliga match, which gave great comfort to their rivals who now know that the powerful Bavarians can actually be beaten. It certainly didn’t look like that for much of the first half of 2020, as the champions went into the clash against Hoffenheim on a run of 23 victories, unbeaten in 32 and having collected a domestic treble and the UEFA Super Cup.

Clearly normal service has resumed as Flick’s men have responded to that shock with four consecutive victories. Firstly Die Bayern narrowly beat Borussia Dortmund to win the German Super Cup, and they have had a DFB Pokal victory over Duren sandwiched by league wins against Hertha Berlin (4-3) and Arminia Bielfeld (4-1).

Champions League: Corentin Tolisso received a red card after playing a foul against Arminia's Fabian Klos — Referee showing red card to Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso during their clash vs Arminia Bielefeld

Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller both helped themselves to a brace in Saturday’s defeat of Bielefeld while midfielder Corentin Tolisso was sent off. Following the departure of Thiago to Liverpool in the summer, Tolisso has become a key man in the middle of the park and is set to line up against Atletico Madrid.

But Die Bayern will be without summer signing Leroy Sane who is carrying a knee injury.

Steady progress at Atleti

Los Rojiblancos have just enjoyed a good weekend too, winning away to Celta Vigo while Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla all slumped to shock defeats. New recruit Luis Suarez was on target to make it three goals for the season and take him just one behind the current leading scorer, Villarreal’s Paco Alcacer.

Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco rounded off Atleti’s victory which took them up to the eighth place, on eight points and just three behind leaders Real Sociedad with two games in hand.

So it’s so far so good for Diego Simeone’s team, which is at 3.65 to win Champions League Group A, and a positive result in Bavaria will make those odds look quite attractive. Following the deadline day departure of Thomas Partey to Arsenal, Saul Niguez, Koke and Marcos Llorente have adapted well and provide good support and ammunition for Suarez.

At the other end of the pitch, Simeone is sweating on the fitness of centre back Jose Gimenez while right back Sime Vrsaljko is also sidelined.

History

The head to head results between Bayern and Atleti have been shared, with two wins each over the past four seasons, the most famous clash coming in the 2016 Champions League semi-final second leg. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Madrid, Die Bayern fancied their chances of finishing the job at home, particularly after they took a first-half lead through Xabi Alonso. But when Antoine Griezmann struck for Atleti, even a late Lewandowski strike couldn’t prevent Atleti winning on the away goals rule.

Both teams come into the match in good form, Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in four games and eight away from home, while Bayern Munich are unbeaten in 17 games at the Allianz Arena.

Betting Tip

	Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid	Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.01
	October 22, 03:00 (GMT+8)

Bayern is heavily fancied at odds of 1.54 to win this opener, with the draw at 3.98 and Atletico at 5.23, here at SBOTOP, to draw the first blood.

2-1 is the most likely score-line at odds of 6.56 and, with Gimenez doubtful, Bayern do have a good chance. But Simeone knows how to set up an organised defence and I don’t expect a glut of goals.