The champions of Austria welcome the champions of neighboring Germany to the Red Bull Arena in this, the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. RB Salzburg and Bayern Munich are again both flying high in their respective leagues and now clash in the Round of 16.
Bayern Munich are heavy favorites but could RB Salzburg spring a surprise? Don’t miss our RB Salzburg vs. Bayern Munich picks and predictions.
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich match odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare Champions League odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich betting tips
Predictions made on 2/15/2022 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich game info
• Location: Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria
• Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
• Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Paramount+, DAZN
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich betting preview
Weather
It's expected to be a day with heavy rain in Austria, with temperatures in the mid-40s when the game kicks off at 9 p.m. local time.
Injuries
RB Salzburg: Albert Vallci CB (Out), Sekou Koita ST (Out), Bernardo LB (Out), Ousmane Diakite CM (Out).
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer GK (Out), Leon Goretzka CM (Out), Alphonso Davies LB (Out), Jamal Musiala AM (Out).
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Side analysis
Wednesday gives us more Champions League action as Bayern Munich travel to Austria to face Salzburg. Both clubs are champions of their respective leagues and both teams are looking likely to regain their domestic titles once again. The hosts are 14 points clear of second-place Wolfsberg in the Austrian Bundesliga with Bayern Munich six points ahead of Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
These two clubs are giants in their own countries, although, like a lot of things in the sport, it’s a case of new money versus old money. Red Bull Salzburg have only been named that since 2005 when they were taken over by the energy drink company. Incidentally, in the Champions League, they’re not allowed to play with the Red Bull in their name. Since becoming part of the Red Bull football group they’ve seen a lot of domestic success, acting as a breeding ground for young talent, buying them in from abroad before selling them on for a profit, quite often to their sister club RB Leipzig.
If Salzburg represent new money, then Wednesday’s opponents Bayern Munich represent old money. The German team are European royalty, having won the continent's flagship prize on no less than six occasions. They’re a powerhouse with 31 Bundesliga titles and one of those clubs who are always in the conversation when the Champions League reaches the business end.
This Bayern Munich team is particularly impressive, although perhaps not as strong as it has been at other times in the past five years. They’re led from the front with Robert Lewandowski, the best goalscorer in Europe and a machine who has continued in electric form this year. He’s scored 26 goals in 22 Bundesliga appearances and has already scored nine goals in Bayern’s six group games in the Champions League.
Bayern’s strength is in their attack. Leroy Sane finally looks like he’s adapted to like at Bayern and has scored five goals in six Champions League starts this year. His direct style of play, dribbling ability, and tendency to cut inside is reminiscent of Bayern great Arjen Robben. Unlike Robben, he’s at his best starting on the left and has great chemistry with Thomas Muller.
The major change in the Bayern lineup is the appearance of Sven Ulreich between the sticks. Bayern’s usual keeper, Manuel Neuer, has been sidelined and the 33-year-old backup will be taking his place in goal in the meantime. He isn’t the only absentee, with Leon Goretzka also missing with injury, which will likely see Corentin Tolisso sit with Joshua Kimmich and protect Bayern’s back four.
Salzburg have injury problems of their own and will be missing some key names too. There’s hope that Jerome Onguene will return to their defense following the African Cup of Nations. He’ll need to be at his best to stop Bayern from scoring here. Salzburg have the potential to cause Bayern problems though, with Brenden Aaronson and Karim Adeyemi both players to look out for.
Bayern have only conceded 25 goals in 22 Bundesliga games but despite the best record in the league, it wouldn’t be a shock if Salzburg scored here, especially in front of their home fans. The issue for Salzburg will be Bayern’s multifaceted attack, which has managed to score 70 goals in those 22 Bundesliga games. Bayern have too much about them to let anything slip here so expect them to return to Germany to start the second leg of the tie with a lead.
Prediction: Bayern Munich (-225)
Over/Under analysis
Bayern Munich’s ability in front of goal can’t be denied. This a team that scored more than anybody else in the group stages of the Champions League. In just six games they scored 22 goals, averaging 3.66 goals per game despite playing in a group with Benfica, Barcelona, and Dynamo Kiev.
With Lewandowski in great form and a supporting cast all capable of scoring it’s hard to look beyond them covering the 2.5 line alone, let alone if you include Salzburg’s potential to score too. Salzburg have been averaging more than two goals per game domestically.
In their domestic leagues, we’ve seen Over 2.5 goals land in 66.7% of Salzburg’s home games and 90.9% of games on the road for Bayern Munich. Back Over 2.5 goals here and sit back and enjoy the game.
Prediction: Over 2.5 (-275)
Best bet
Bayern Munich are the team who are going to score the most goals here but with Lewandowski -250 to score there just isn’t enough value to back him. Instead, we’ll be looking at a player from their opposition Salzburg to find the back of the net.
Karim Adeyemi is a 20-year-old German starlet and has been heavily linked with a move to Dortmund in the summer, potentially replacing the great Erling Haaland. He’s been a revelation this season, scoring 14 goals in just 16 league starts as well as scoring three goals in his six appearances in the Champions League.
He’s been capped three times for his country scoring once and the youngster, who himself spent two years at Bayern Munich as a child, would love nothing more than to score against his former club and announce himself to the continent. He’s set for big things in the future and will fancy scoring against Bayern’s defense with their backup goalkeeper.
Pick: Karim Adeyemi to score (+210)
