Preview:Bayern Munich Women vs Arsenal Women – prediction, team news, lineups

Arsenal Women will continue their defense of their Women’s Champions League title when they face Bayern Munich Women at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

The two teams will both be looking to secure back-to-back European victories after collecting maximum points on the second day of the league stage.

Match Preview

Bayern will dream of becoming the first German team to win the UWCL since 1. FFC Frankfurt (now known as Eintracht Frankfurt) won European glory in the 2014-15 campaign.

While that may be the ultimate goal, Bayern’s current goal will be to finish in the top four in order to automatically qualify for the quarterfinals.

As things stand, the Bavarians are in a playoff position in the knockout stage after experiencing mixed results in the first two games of the league stage.

Bayern started the main draw with a heavy 7-1 defeat to three-time European champions Barcelona, ​​before entering the draw with a 2-1 home win over Juventus.

The victory helped form a run of six victories in all competitions, including a resounding 4-0 success in Friday’s encounter against Union Berlin to move six points clear at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga.

Bayern could be hoping for another win in Wednesday’s European match, having won their previous two UWCL home games against Arsenal – a 1-0 victory in March 2023 and an emphatic 5-2 victory in the group stage last season.

Arsenal enter the UWCL as defending champions after beating Barcelona in the final in May to win European silverware for the first time since 2006-07.

Renée Sleger’s side got off to a disappointing start in their bid to make it back-to-back, losing 2-1 at home to record European champions Lyon on the opening day.

They put that result behind them to record a 2-0 victory over Benfica in Portugal, with Beth Mead And Alessia Russo scoring a goal each to propel Arsenal into ninth place.

Arsenal followed that result with an emphatic 4-1 win over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League, before salvaging a point in Sunday’s encounter with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

Russo struck late to cancel Alyssa Thompsoneven though Arsenal were frustrated afterwards Stina Blackstenius saw an equalizer wrongly ruled out for handball, before Frida Maanum saw a potential winner slotted in following an inconclusive offside call.

The Gunners will desperately need to get back to winning ways on Wednesday, but that will be easier said than done for a team who have won just one of their 10 away games against German opposition.

Bayern Munich Women’s Champions League form:

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Bayern Munich Women’s Form (all competitions):

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Arsenal Women’s Champions League form:

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Arsenal Women Form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bayern cannot call on long-term absentees Sarah Zadrazil And Lena Oberdorfboth of whom are sidelined due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

The hosts are also likely to be without Ena Mahmutovic, Tuva HansenVanessa Giles and Caroline Simon by injury.

Lea Schuller is also a doubt after being left out of the squad for Friday’s win over Union in the Frauen-Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Arsenal announced that Katie Reid will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in practice.

Lea Williamson remains unavailable for selection, even if the central defender recently returned to training on grass, a key stage in her convalescence after a knee problem.

Experienced midfielder Kim Petit missed Saturday’s draw against Chelsea with a knock, making him a clear doubt for Wednesday’s trip.

Possible starting lineup for Bayern Munich Women:

Grohs; Gwinn, Ballisager, Viggosdottir, Kett; Tanikawa, Stanway; Dallmann, Harder, Buhl; Damjanovic

Arsenal Women possible starting XI:

Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Maanum, Cooney Cross, Caldentey; Smith, Foord, Russo

We say: Bayern Munich Women 2-2 Arsenal Women

Arsenal tend to struggle for wins on their recent visits to Germany, but while we think a win will be out of reach, we believe the reigning European champions will do enough to take a point when they travel to the Allianz Arena.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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