Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen: Champions League Round of 16 First Leg Preview, Team News & Predicted XI

For the first time ever, two German heavyweights meet on European soil, as Bayern Munich take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 showdown at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

Leverkusen are unbeaten against Bayern this term and have dealt the Bavarians an early elimination from the DFB-Pokal. But the Bundesliga title holders will not take kindly to relinquishing their grip at home and will look to put one foot in the quarter-finals.

Match Preview

Bayern Munich come into this clash in good form themselves, having extended their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions with a 3-1 win over Stuttgart on Friday. Vincent Kompany’s team are currently eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and on track for yet another domestic title.

And despite anything that has to do with domestic matters, Bayern had a nervy playoff round against Celtic in the Champions League. They advanced on the back of Alphonso Davies’ dramatic late equalizer in the second leg, but they also will know a similar performance against Leverkusen would be expensive.

Bayern traditionally excel in the Champions League round of 16, having won 10 of their last 11 home legs in this stage and netting 41 goals along the way. But they are up against a Leverkusen side that has already caused them a major headache this season.

Xabi Alonso’s men are unbeaten against Bayern in their last six showdowns — and held the Bavarians to a 0-0 at the BayArena last month when they allowed them only two shots on target. Having already eliminated Bayern from the DFB-Pokal, Leverkusen will believe this is another opportunity for a statement win.

But if Die Werkself have been all-conquering in the Bundesliga — they are unbeaten in their last 29 away games in the league — then have shown a not dissimilar application of their system this season but they have not found European success to match. They have lost their past two away games in the Champions League, falling at Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

Alonso's men are still chasing silverware on several fronts, and with a likely pathway to the finale that avoids heavyweights such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season, Leverkusen will see this as a golden opportunity to signal they are serious contenders.

Recent Form

Bayern Munich

Champions League form: WWLWWD

All competitions form: WWDDWW

Bayer Leverkusen

Champions League form: DLWWLW

All competitions form: WWDDWW

Team News

Bayern Munich

The hosts will be keeping fingers crossed that Joshua Kimmich is ready in time for the clash after returning to light training over the weekend There has also been some speculation that he might soon sign a new long-term deal.

Eric Dier and Aleksandar Pavlovic sat out of training on Sunday with illness, while Jamal Musiala, João Palhinha and Alphonso Davies were also missing, with minor knocks. However, all five should be available for selection.

The brightest spot for Bayern is Harry Kane in red-hot form. The England captain has been directly involved in 20 Champions League goals since the start of last season (15 goals, 5 assists), a competition-high.

Bayer Leverkusen

Alonso will have Piero Hincapié available again after he missed the weekend's Bundesliga match through suspension. Defender Jeanuel Belocian, though, remains out long-term, as does Martin Terrier (doubt).

In the league phase, six goals and one assist make Florian Wirtz a high-profile player for Leverkusen in Europe this season. The 20-year-old is now two goal involvements away from matching Michael Ballack’s club record for a season in Europe.

With no serious injury concerns, Alonso opted for a strong team in Leverkusen’s most recent league outing, indicating that he will name as strong a team as possible for this high-stakes clash.

Predicted Lineups

Possible Bayern Munich Starting XI:

Neuer; Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Palhinha, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane

Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI:

Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Aleix Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Tella, Schick, Wirtz

Match Prediction

This all-German semifinal matchup is sure to be a fierce battle between two teams who are at the height of their powers. Bayern have an respectable recent Champions League knockout record at home but Leverkusen have shown this season they can frustrate and outplay them.

Alonso’s men will attempt to take advantage of Bayern’s defensive frailties at times and could cause the visitors real issues with their fluid brand of attacking football. Still, Bayern’s experience and firepower — led by Kane — may prove key on the night.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen