- Bayern München Women are one of Europe’s best clubs, leading the Frauen-Bundesliga with around 52 points from 18 matches and boasting an impressive goal difference.
- FC Bayern have played Manchester United Women in friendlies since 2022 and won every match, but this is their first competitive clash.
- Manchester United Women have shown good form in Europe recently, and are among the top three in the Women's Super League, but they did suffer a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea in their last five matches.
Old Trafford stage set for historic quarter-final
Manchester United Women face Bayern München Women for the first time in a UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout tie this week, with the German giants fancied to come out on top in a closely matched clash. United are among the top three in the Women’s Super League, but Bayern are a true heavyweight in the women’s game.
A large crowd and electric atmosphere will greet the players on the pitch at Old Trafford on Wednesday, with cool and clear evening conditions likely to suit the pace and tempo of the game that these two clubs play. José Barcala’s side are very much a possession-based team, pressing high and stretching opponents wide to allow their numerous creative and dynamic midfielders to penetrate the opposition defence, but also boast a forward line that has enough firepower to cause problems for anyone on their day.
With the likes of Pernille Harder and Klara Bühl to finish off the chances, Bayern are always a threat in attack. Bühl is the perfect foil for the former Wolfsburg striker, providing consistent assists and set piece threat to supplement her own scoring prowess, and in the form of Momoko Tanikawa, who has hit double figures for goals this season, the visitors have a three-pronged forward line to keep Marc Skinner’s defence on their toes.
Man United will look to plug the gaps
The United manager has a wealth of tactical flexibility in his squad, pressing high and making good use of the counter-attack as a result. They are a team more focussed on winning the moments than dominating possession, with a solid back four, a reliable No.6, and lots of speed and penetration in the front line.
United have been relying on Jess Park’s incredible creativity and drive from midfield this season. Park’s sublime long-range effort fired United through to their maiden UWCL quarter-final, a 5-0 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, while Julia Zigiotti Olme and Melvine Malard have been crucial when they need to pinch late goals and provide additional attacking versatility. Schüller’s recent arrival has only increased United’s depth in this regard, so Bayern will have to be wary.
Bayern Munich look good for the win
Bayern München are on a five-match winning streak in all competitions, crushing Wolfsburg 4-1 and Carl Zeiss Jena 6-0 in their two most recent matches. They’ve conceded rarely in that run and scored multiple goals in each match, which puts them at the top of the table with 52 points from 18 matches and boasting an impressive goal difference.
Manchester United are in great form in Europe, and domestically they are among the top three in the WSL this term, with their most recent match seeing them fall to a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea. As such, Bayern’s form and European pedigree has them as slight favourites here at 31/20, although United aren’t far behind at 29/20, with the draw at 12/5.
Expect goals when the giants meet
This tie is likely to be a cagey one for the opening leg of the quarter-final, and with Bayern scoring multiple goals a regular feature of late, the ‘unders’ are the way to go in this one. We’re going with ‘under 2.5 goals’ as our main bet for this clash, but don’t discount a close, competitive first leg in this epic encounter.
