Besiktas, one of the most surprising teams in this season's Champions League, face their toughest test of the campaign so far as they travel to face Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena on Tuesday in the first leg of their first knockout round tie. The two teams have met in the group stage of this competition back in 1997 and Bayern Munich won both matches 2-0. Bayern Munich have never lost against a Turkish team in an European competition, but Besiktas have won their last two matches against a German side.
Bayern Munich qualified for the first knockout stage with ease, they won five of their six group matches but finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain because of their 3-0 defeat in the French capital. However, Bayern ended the group stage with a 3-1 home victory over PSG. They are on a thirteen-match winning streak in all competitions at the moment and are almost certain of securing yet another Bundesliga title. Goalie Manuel Neuer is the only injury concern for the home side, while Joshua Kimmich, Corentin Tolisso and Sebastian Rudy are one yellow card away from suspension.
Besiktas pulled off a major surprise in the group stage as they finished at the top of the table in Group G, ahead of FC Porto, RB Leipzig and AS Monaco. Moreover, they defeated Bundesliga side RB Lepizig both home and away, and that might be a warning for Bayern Munich. However, Besiktas are fourth in the Turkish top-flight and last week they were held to a 1-1 draw at Konyaspor. Gokhan Tore and Atinc Nukan are injured and won't be able to play in this match, while Tolgay Arslan, Caner Erkin and Anderson Talisca will be suspended if they get booked on Tuesday.
Probable line-ups:
Bayern: Ulreich - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba - Tolisso, Vidal - Robben, Rodriguez, Ribery - Lewandowski
Besiktas: Fabri - Gonul, Pepe, Tosic, Adriano - Hutchinson, Arslan - Quaresma, Talisca, Babel - Negredo
My prediction: Bayern Munich to win 3-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Bayern win - 1.16
Draw - 8.50
Besiktas win - 19.00