UEFA Champions League 2019-20: Crvena Zvezda vs Bayern Munich Preview, Predicted XI, team news and more
Match Preview
Since their worst Bundesliga defeat in a decade (5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt), Bayern Munich have re-grouped admirably under new coach Hansi Flick, winning three games on the trot (2 in the Bundesliga, 1 in the Champions League), scoring 10 unanswered goals past their opponents.
In the Champions League, Bayern have not lost an away game since a 3-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017-18 group-stage. Bayern's Matchday 5 hosts Crvena Zvezda's four of five defeats this season have come in the Champions League (2 in the group stage, 2 in qualifying). The Serbian champions have lost all four home games in the competition since a goalless draw with Napoli last season.
Bayern, who were one of three teams to qualify for the knockout round on Matchday 4 (also Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain), would clinch top-place in the group if they win in Serbia. The Serbian champions would drop out of Round of 16 contention if they do not beat Bayern or if Tottenham Hotspur beat Olympiacos.
Head-to-head
Crvena and Bayern have met on the European stage on six previous occasions, three of them being Champions League/European Cup meetings. In Champions League match-ups between the duo, each club has 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw.
Crvena Zvezda: 2 wins.
Bayern Munich: 3 wins.
Draws: 1.
Form Guide
Last 5 games in all competitions (most recent game first)
Crvena Zvezda: W (Serbian league) - W (Serbian Cup) - L (Champions League) - W (Serbian league) - W (Serbian league).
Bayern Munich: W (Bundesliga) - W (Bundesliga) - W (Champions League) - L (Bundesliga) - W (DFB Pokal).
Last 5 games in the Champions League (most recent game first)
Crvena Zvezda: L-L-W-L-L.
Bayern Munich: W-W-W-W-L.
Last 5 home games in the Champions League (Crvena Zvezda)
Since a goalless draw with Napoli on Matchday 1 of the 2018-19 season, Crvena have lost all their subsequent 4 home games (2 last season and 2 this season) in the Champions League.
Crvena Zvezda: L-L-L-L-D.
Last 5 away games in the Champions League (Bayern Munich)
Since a 3-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017-18 group-stage, Bayern are unbeaten in 11 away games in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich: W-W-D-D-W.
Team News
Crvena Zvezda: Branko Jovicic and Milan Pavkov are injured.
Bayern Munich: Lucas Hernandez, Niklas Sule and Jann-Fiete Arp remain sidelined due to injuries.
Probable line-ups
Crvena Zvezda (4-2-3-1): Borjan - Rodic, Degenek, Milunovic, Gobelijic - Jovanovic, Canas - Parra, Marin, Garcia - Tomane.
Bayern Munich (4-5-1): Neuer - Pavard, Martinez, Alaba, Davies - Gnabry, Muller, Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman - Lewandowski.
Predicted Score
Considering Bayern's recent form in all competitions and their performances in the Champions League away from home, and any result other than a convincing win for the German champions would be a huge surprise.
Prediction: Crvena Zvezda 1-3 Bayern Munich.
Also check out: Bundesliga schedule Champions League Schedule Champions League table