Bayern Munich vs Barcelona Picks and Predictions: Great Value on Musiala's Offensive Prowess

What should be, on paper, a clash of two heavyweights could end up being nothing more than a formality on Wednesday as FC Barcelona welcomes Bayern Munich to the Nou Camp for a Champions League showdown. The Spanish giants currently sit third in Group C, but their fate could be sealed before the opening kickoff should Inter Milan defeat Viktoria Plzen earlier in the day.

Such a situation makes things a bit tricky to predict how a match will play out ahead of time, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t make money off of the match. We break down some of the best betting angles for this tricky match in our FC Barcelona vs Bayern Munich picks and predictions for Wednesday, October 26.

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona best odds

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona picks and predictions

It’s hard to believe that it’s come to this for Barcelona. After a summer full of pulling levers and buying big names, somehow they have managed to put themselves in a situation where their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage are minuscule at best. Not only do they need to win both of their remaining matches, but the Catalan outfit must hope for multiple results to go their way over the final two matchdays. 

Winning those two matches in itself is no simple task. Bayern met Barcelona earlier in the competition and walked away with a 2-0 win, and although Barcelona was unfortunate to have not scored multiple goals in the opening stanza, it simply continued the Bavarian’s run of dominance. Bayern have now defeated Barcelona in five straight matches, outscoring the Spanish side 19-4 on aggregate in that time with three consecutive clean-sheet performances. 

Bayern have suffered defeat just once in all competitions this season, and come into the match winners of four straight. The side is in stellar form right, and young midfielder Jamal Musiala has been at the heart of nearly everything they’ve done of late. He has either scored or assisted a goal in seven of his last eight starts in all competitions, with assists in his last two Champions League appearances. 

Musiala has scored a goal in both of his last two starts, including a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday. His six goals in all competitions pace the club, and he became the first teenager in nearly 60 years to score five goals in his first eight Bundesliga matches. But it’s his passing that has been pivotal for Bayern, as he has registered at least two key passes in six of his last seven starts. 

In the previous matchup with Barcelona in September, Musiala set up Leroy Sane’s second goal with a sublime dribble through the middle, followed by a perfectly weighted pass into his compatriot's path. I fully expect him to get plenty of chances on the ball against a Barcelona midfield that has been torn apart multiple times this season by teams that attack with pace and creativity versus slowly building up. 

Getting +185 odds for either a goal or assist from the player who leads Bayern Munich in attacking sequence involvements this season is far too high to pass up, which is why it’s my best bet for the matchup. If your book doesn’t offer the combo play, then split your wager between an anytime goal and an assist from Musiala, as both are paying +250 at the moment.

My best bet: Jamal Musiala to score or assist (+185 at FanDuel)

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona side analysis

Barcelona opened at nearly even money on the three-way line in mid-October, but since then have moved to around +130 at most books. That is in large part due to its 3-1 defeat in El Clasico to rivals Real Madrid a few days later combined with Bayern’s stellar form overall.

However, Barcelona have looked better defensively over the past two matches, albeit to lesser foes than Madrid or Bayern. The side has recorded consecutive clean sheets in La Liga since their defeat to Madrid, but injuries at the back continue to cause concern as right back Sergi Roberto went down against Bilbao and will likely be out for this match.

Bayern have kept two clean sheets as well in their last two Bundesliga outings, and have won six of their last seven matches. The only dropped points in that timeframe came in a 2-2 draw with Dortmund in which the Bavarians finished with 10 men and conceded on the final kick of the match.

Bayern have won the last five meetings against Barcelona in the Champions League. Bayern has also won the last two meetings at Nou Camp, and three of the last four since 2013.

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona Over/Under analysis

The total for this match is at an elevated 3.5 and it makes sense given the offensive firepower each side possesses. The line opened at 2.5 and was quickly adjusted, and the money has still been coming in on the Over as the line continues to drop nearly every day.

Barcelona has scored three or more goals in three of its last four matches, with four or more total goals scored in three of those same four outings. The side has kept two clean sheets in a row, both at home.

Bayern has scored multiple goals in seven straight matches, and have scored four or more goals in five of those. In their last seven matches, the match total has seen four or more scored in all but one — the 2-0 win at Hoffenheim at the weekend. 

The last five meetings at Nou Camp between these sides have seen Under 3.5 goals all but once, the infamous 8-2 knockout stage match. The last three matches between the sides at all venues have seen three or fewer goals scored.

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona game info

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona key injuries

Bayern Munich: Memphis Depay F (Out), Ronald Araujo D (Out), Andreas Christensen D (Out).
Barcelona: Manuel Neuer GK (Out), Leroy Sane F (Out), Lucas Hernandez D (Out).

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona weather

Conditions on Wednesday night will be perfect with temperatures in the mid-70s and no rain in the forecast. There will be a light coastal breeze that should not impact play in any way.

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