Champions League: Will the Stars Align for the Red Devils?

Manchester United vs Bayern Munich

The group stage of the Champions League enters its last matchday, and all eyes are on Manchester United. The Red Devils had an underwhelming start to their Champions League campaign, which culminates in a dramatic Matchday 6 slate for Group A.

Bayern Munich are the only squad in Group A to have a sure seat in the next stage of the tournament, while Copenhagen, Galatasaray, and Manchester United all grapple their way to the round of 16.

It will surely be an eventful few days for Europe’s best clubs, and the entire football world is once again spoiled with world-class matches and binge-worthy storylines.

Talking Points

United have their backs against the wall

Can United still qualify for the knockout phase? The answer is yes, but it’s not that simple. Despite losing three of their first five matches in the group stages, Manchester United are just one point behind Galatasaray and Copenhagen.

The only way the Red Devils can advance in the tournament is if they can steal a win against Bayern at Old Trafford and if Copenhagen and Galatasaray end their Matchday 6 clash in a draw.

The hand dealt to United are less than promising, but they have been tearing it up in the Premier League. Ten Hag seems like he finally found the switch to take his club to where they’re accustomed to: winning. With their current form, it’s not a lofty ask to get a win against the mighty Bavarians. The tricky part is hoping for Copenhagen and Galatasaray to end their match in a draw.

To make the stakes even higher, if things don’t pan out perfectly for Manchester United during Matchday 6, they will be forced to retire from European competition until next season, which is probably one of the rarest sights in the football world.

Bayern touched earth

The Bavarians have been steamrolling to start their season both in the Champions League and Bundesliga. After 12 games in the German top flight, Bayern have yet to taste defeat, but everything changed during their match against Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday.

Dino Toppmöller and his squad proved that Bayern can bleed, and they did so in such an emphatic manner. Frankfurt quickly pulled Bayern back down to earth, humbling the Bavarians in a 5-1 onslaught at the Waldstadion.

The match was virtually over before halftime, as Frankfurt were already up 3-0 after just 36 minutes in the first half. The Eagles finished the match in total dominance, handing Bayern their first defeat of the season and Harry Kane’s first defeat in the Bundesliga.

Not just that, Bayern also failed to keep their record in the Champions League spotless after a 0-0 draw against Copenhagen during Matchday 5 of the group stages. Before the match, the Bavarians had won all of their matches in the Champions League this season. But even though they failed to get all three points against Jacob Neestrup’s squad, Bayern have already secured the top spot in Group A and have already booked their ticket to the knockout phase.

History

In their past 12 matches in the Champions League, Manchester United have only won two times, one in the 1999 final and a knockout match back in 2009-10. Even though Bayern historically have United’s number in the Champions League, United have done a good job protecting their home turf, allowing just one Bayern win out of the five times the Bavarians visited Old Trafford.

In recent form in the tournament, the Red Devils failed to consistently produce favourable Champions League 2023 results, as they’ve won just one match in this season’s campaign. They find themselves hanging on by a thread, only putting up four points in five match days. Ten Hag’s boys are having no problem finding the back of the net, as they lead Group A with 12 total goals, but in the same breath, they’ve conceded the most goals in Group A as well, with 14.

Meanwhile, Bayern have been spotless in this season’s tournament, winning four of their last five matches in the group stages. With 13 points, the Bavarians are atop Group A, and the only blemish in their Champions League run so far is their draw against Copenhagen last month.

Betting Tip 

Despite being a battle from opposite sides of the group standings, the Champions League 2023 odds suggest that this Matchday 6 bout will be a competitive one, given that they don’t have any of the teams as overwhelming favourites.

The group leaders and the undefeated Bayern Munich are priced at 2.42 to win, which is quite generous in my opinion given that Tuchel’s squad has done nothing but dominate the group stages. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are closely priced at 2.49 and 3.48 to draw.

Manchester United have been on point in the Premier League in recent weeks, and their formidable play in the English top flight could easily translate into the Champions League. With their backs against the wall, expect ten Hag’s boys to come out the gates hot.

If you ask my fellow SBOTOP writer, Jordan, he’ll surely have a compelling argument for why Manchester United are no pushovers, even if they’re on the brink of elimination. The Red Devils will surely play a fiery game and try to be as competitive as possible. That’s why one should expect a lot of goals in this match, and that’s why it’ll be hard for punters not to consider a promising over 3.00 goals line at 1.94.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.