Bayern Munich host Arsenal at 8pm UK time tonight (Wednesday) at the Allianz Arena, with Michael Olise suspended and William Saliba out. Our prediction is Bayern 2-1 Arsenal, while Sports Mole predict 1-1.

Our prediction

We’re going for a narrow Bayern win. Losing Olise hurts, but Sports Mole note he had 14 goal involvements (nine goals, five assists) in 10 games this season, and Bayern still have Harry Kane, Lennart Karl and a home record that says they rarely slip up: Sports Mole report an unbeaten run of 39 home matches in the Champions League group and league phases.

Arsenal have their own numbers. They haven’t conceded in the competition this season, according to the same preview, and Arteta’s side won 3-0 against Lille. But they’ve lost their last three visits to the Allianz, and Sports Mole note they have often been short of ideas in attack, especially in first halves. Without Saliba, Konsa and Gabriel will face Kane with little margin for error.

A draw is a fair shout. We think Bayern find one more goal at home. Arsenal will get one back, probably from a set piece or through Saka.

Team news

Bayern: Olise serves a one-match ban after a red card for two bookable offences in the 3-3 draw with Viking FK. Per Sports Mole, Jamal Musiala is expected to miss out with a thigh problem, Joshua Kimmich is uncertain after missing Tuesday’s training for personal reasons, and they expect Manuel Neuer to return in goal after a foot issue.

Arsenal: Saliba (back), Piero Hincapie (ankle) and Christos Tzolis (hamstring) are out. Martin Zubimendi is fit after a minor ankle problem. For the full list see our Arsenal injury news piece.

Predicted XIs

These are predictions, taken from Sports Mole’s preview. The open calls are Havertz or Gyokeres up front and Madueke or Eze on the left. Sports Mole expect Madueke to start ahead of Eze. We’d go with Gyokeres, who is a better fit for a game where Arsenal will have less of the ball. Our predicted lineups piece has more.

Predicted XI (Sports Mole), Arsenal, set out as a 4-2-3-1
Gyokeres
MaduekeOdegaardSaka
RiceGuimaraes
Lewis-SkellyGabrielKonsaTimber
Raya
Line Bayern (Sports Mole) Arsenal (Sports Mole)
GK Neuer Raya
Defence Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Midfield Pavlovic, Kimmich Rice, Guimaraes
Attack Karl, Saibari, Diaz; Kane Saka, Odegaard, Madueke; Gyokeres

Arsenal’s form and the key battle

Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 on Sunday 18 October, with Madueke scoring the winner in the 80th minute after coming on at half-time for Eze. Before that came the 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League. Arteta made five changes between those games, and Sports Mole expect Madueke, Timber, Lewis-Skelly and Gyokeres to come back in.

The key battle is Kane against Konsa and Gabriel. Sports Mole say Kane has scored 15 times in 22 meetings with Arsenal, though not in the last two. Arteta, in his Tuesday press conference as transcribed by AOL, said Bayern have “that impossible level” and are “incredibly well coached”.

How to watch

Kick-off is 8pm UK time on Wednesday 21 October, live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max. The referee is Italy’s Davide Massa. Full details are in our TV channel guide.

FAQ

What time is Bayern vs Arsenal?

8pm UK time on Wednesday 21 October, at the Allianz Arena.

What channel is Bayern vs Arsenal on?

TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.

Who will win Bayern vs Arsenal?

We predict Bayern 2-1 Arsenal. Sports Mole predict 1-1.

Havertz or Gyokeres up front in Munich, and what’s your score? Post your prediction below.

Featured photo: Chensiyuan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).

Arjun Rao is a football writer covering the Premier League for The False 9 — tactical breakdowns, transfer analysis and the numbers behind the game.