UEFA Champions League - Match Day Three Preview and Prediction

In Charles Meshell
Tue, Oct 23rd, 2018 10:31:58 am
By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper

UEFA Champions League play continues and ROICapper has picks for Bayern Munich at AEK Athens and bonus tips for three other matches, including Manchester City.

UEFA Champions League - Match Day Three

The top tournament in Europe continues play this week, with a schedule full of compelling matches, the entertainment value must be fully appreciated.

The 32 team field has been mostly competitive, with only a few groups almost already decided, the amount of high level competition should be on full display through-out the next two days. Tuesday is highlighted by Italian giants Juventus making a rare trip too the "Theater of Dreams", were fellow European regulars Manchester United will await their arrival, as Ronaldo returns home where he truly made his mark on the footballing stage.

20404 AEK Athens vs 20405 Bayern Munich
Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece
10-23-2018 - 12:55 pm ET - TNT

Bayern Munich take to the road for this match-day three encounter, after only collecting 1 victory in their last 5 outing's in all competitions, the Bundesliga champions feel the pressure to perform at a high level, and re-gain their dominance on the European platform.

First year manager Niko Kovač has found himself being second guessed more than ever, after a sparkling start to his tenure with the club, the former Bayern Munich player is re-assuring the "FCB" nation, he will help turn this mini-crisis around.

Bayern rested many of their regular starters over the weekend, with their primary objective of grabbing all three points on Tuesday night. Kovač will once again turn too his normal rotation, in preparation for this must win scenario.

The Croation task-master has prefered a 4-1-4-1 alignment, with Robert Lewandowski still the center-piece atop the Bavarians front-line. The Polish striker has seen his production reduced within his new manager's attacking philosophy, only netting 5 domestic goals thus far into the new season, but after collecting a brace against Wolfsburg on Saturday, the accomplished net-finder seems destined to re-gain his world class form, and once again produce at the pace we are all accustomed to.

The Bavarians should also welcome back Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and Jerome Boateng to the first team, with so many different options on the bench, balancing minutes will always be an added pressure for the German's first year manager. The guests are overloaded with knowledgeable professionals throughout their midfield, this position should be a clear advantage for the Bavarian's, who will look to push the pace at every given opportunity.

Arjen Robben will no doubt play a huge role within the Bayern attack, the Dutch-man will certainly threaten the AEK Athens defenders on a routine basis, his cultured left-foot is legendary throughout Europe, and even at an elevated age, Robben can still take over a match with his overall awareness, and pure instincts with the ball at his feet.

Even with all of Bayern's high-priced players, their true "X-Factor" has become Joshua Kimmich, the young German international is pure class from his full-back position. Kimmich is a true multi-dimensional player, able to both defend at a high level, while also enjoying setting the offense into motion with his wide array of passing skills, his production on the pitch is required, for this team to make a long run while in Europe.

Bayern Munich find themselves in 2nd place of Group E, after dropping points to Ajax on match-day two, the 2013 Champion League champs hold an overall record of 1-1-0, and trail the Dutch outfit by as single goal differential. The German's should be focused on grabbing all three points while in Greece, as we should expect a true professional performance.

AEK Athens entered this four-some with an uphill battle, and after dropping their first two matches in the group, the Greek's now find themselves on the brink of elimination with another defeat. The "Union" are still a proud club, and should give the Bundesliga champs all they can handle at the imposing Olympic Stadium.

Marinos Ouzounidis inherited a Greek Super League winning squad in 2018, and has since went 7-3-3 during his time with the Club. The newly assigned head-man has found success domestically, but his troops have been unable to collect positive points during European obligations, leaving a bitter taste through-out their massive supporter-ship.

The Greek's are led by attacking midfielder Viktor Klonaridis, AEK Athen's number ten has enjoyed his time apart of the festivities, already collecting 2 goals in his first two matches, his contributions are a necessity, if these perennial under-dogs are to pull the ultimate upset.

Ezequiel Ponce has been the dedicated number-nine in the home sides 4-2-3-1 formation, although the young Argentine has failed to collect his first Champions League goal, he still has a knack for getting past defenders with his silky smooth dribbling skills, while creating space to launch long range shots on a regular occurrence , with Bayern conceding a goal in all but 1 of their last 12 away fixtures, the Greek trigger-man will surely attempt to test Manuel Neuer, who will man the visitors goal.

AEK Athens will be playing with house money as the opening whistle sounds off, there should not be much pressure on the Greek champs to perform, although they are supremely outmatched, they must use the energy from their home crowd, to help prevail them to an improbable victory

AEK Athens vs Bayern Munich - Match Prediction

Bayern Munich have been less than spectacular as of late, but they seem to have found their confidence against Wolfsburg over the weekend, as they seem ready to turn the page from this early season slump.

AEK Athens have shown they will not go down without a fight, but they seem to be a bit outclassed in this specific match-up. I see them having a hard time putting together long stretches of cohesive football, playing mostly on their side of the pitch, having to settle for a defensive mentality.

I expect plenty of one way traffic in this specific encounter, with the Bavarian's winning large amounts of the possession battle, while getting a plethora of shots created on goal.

Bayern Munich seem most likely to grab a a first half goal, and then ride that lead into halftime, where they continue their dominance as the second half begins, and eventually put this fixture to bed, with a multi-goal advantage as the final whistle blows.