FC Bayern Munchen News

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has seen Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic become key figures in his side since they were given regular first team starts and the two look likely to start again on Saturday.

The Bavaraians are likely to name an unchanged team for the fourth consecutive Bundesliga fixture; a selection that would mean Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben are relegated to a place on the bench.

An eye injury suffered while on international duty with the Netherlands is almost certain to keep Klaas-Jan Huntelaar out of action for Schalke’s visit to the Allianz Arena. Finnish youngster Teemu Pukki, so far used sparingly during 2012-13, is the favourite to replace the club captain up front. Julian Draxler is another doubt after returning from the Germany camp with a severe cold, but he is still in with a chance of starting.

• With 51 goals scored they are also comfortably the league’s most prolific outfit, averaging a total of just over 2.5 a match across the 20 fixtures played so far.

• Top scorer Mario Mandzukic (right) has converted five in his last three outings for Bayern, and also netted for his native Croatia in midweek to extend his scoring run to four consecutive games.

• Schalke’s campaign has been a tale of two halves. After opening with seven wins in their first 11 games, the following nine yielded five defeats and just one victory to see the club slip down to sixth.

• Die Knappen have won the Bundesliga a total of seven times; however, their last championship success came all the way back in 1957-58.

• Current coach Jens Keller has been in charge since December 16, taking over from the sacked Huub Stevens.

With the knockout stages of the Champions League around the corner, Jamie Dickenson has taken a look at the options available for a multiple on teams to qualify

The Champions League knockout rounds are fast approaching, and for many punters that means the opportunity to back some of Europe’s strongest sides to make the last eight of the competition.

Bet Victor are offering enhanced multiples on the continental elite’s big guns qualifying from the round of 16, with variations on Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus to qualify.

The bet that immediately stands out for value at 3/1 (4.0) is all five of those teams – favourites for their Champions League two-legged clashes – to progress.

There do tend to be surprises at this stage of the tournament though – last season Lyon fell to minnows APOEL and Inter Milan exited at the hands of Olympique de Marseille – but more often than not the strongest side goes through over home and away ties.

Looking at the sides most unlikely to fall at this hurdle, and it seems that Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona fall into that bracket.

Juve are leading Serie A and have a quite remarkable home record, having only recently seen a 49-game league unbeaten streak at Juventus stadium broken by Inter.

And while Celtic produced a victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park in the group stage, it looks a step too far to expect them to pull off another shock – even with key striker Gary Hooper still at the club.

Champions League clubs to progress
Odds from Bet Victor
Barca, Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	3/1
Barca, Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	5/2
Barca, Real, Bayern and Juventus	2/1
Barca, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	2/1
Barca, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	9/1
Real, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus	5/2

Dortmund managed at draw at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid earlier in the competition, and will hope to set themselves up for victory back on home soil when they make the trip to Donetsk to face Shakhtar in the first leg.

While Jurgen Klopp’s side retained their best players in the January window – Robert Lewandowski, Mario Goetze and Mats Hummels – Shakhtar buckled under the late advances of Anzhi Makhachkala and sold pivotal playmaker Willian to the Russian side for almost €35 million.

Barcelona have a sterling recent record against AC Milan, remaining unbeaten in their last seven clashes between the two sides.

The Catalans also knocked out the Serie A side at the quarter-final stage last season.

Watching Lionel Messi and Mario Balotelli go head-to-head should be compelling viewing, but the Ballon d’Or winner and his club will be fancied to progress.

That leaves Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who face English opposition in Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Gunners current form is patchy, and Bayern have been dominant in the Bundesliga this season and over two legs they look to be strong for Arsene Wenger’s side.

The one match-up to avoid looks to be Real and United.

Jose Mournho’s Madrid are trailing domestically, but despite having their eyes set on Champions League success the Red Devils are a more potent force this campaign with Robin Van Persie excelling and Wayne Rooney beginning to contribute.

Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford and Mourinho back in England may make this the tie of the round, but from a betting angle it seems too tight to include in a multiple.

For those reasons the best option here is backing Barcelona, Bayern, Dortmund and Juventus all to qualify at a quite respectable 7/4 (2.75) with Bet Victor.

Champions League Multiples in full

Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 3/1 (4.0)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – All To Qualify – 5/2 (3.50)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Juventus – All To Qualify – 2/1 (3.0)
Barcelona – Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 2/1 (3.0)
Barcelona – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 7/4 (2.75)
Real Madrid – Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund – Juventus – All To Qualify – 5/2 (3.50)

BetVictor will refund losing outright winner Champions League bets (up to £50 per person) if Real Madrid win the tournament

Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.

More of his work can be found here – and you can also follow Jamie on

Follow GoalBetting on

Die Roten coach has stated that his side have no excuses for not playing well against Schalke this weekend, but believes that Jens Keller’s men deserve respect

Bayern Munich head Jupp Heynckes believes that a lack of midweek fixtures leaves his side with no excuses if they do not take all three points from Schalke on Saturday.

Bayern have been in scintillating form in the league with 16 wins out of 20 games, and currently enjoy a 12-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.

“I think the players will be fully ready for Saturday because there is a difference between English weeks [playing both midweek and at the weekend] and playing only at the weekend, so we are prepared,” he told reporters.

The Bayern coach also praised the work of Schalke boss Jens Keller, whose side sit in sixth place but have only picked up four points from their last three matches, having been also knocked out of the German Cup.

“They are a good team with good players – Jens Keller should be able to work in peace as he is a young coach who has taken on a difficult job.

“The team [Schalke] has played much better than it is being portrayed in the public domain.”

The Brazil star, who was in Europe this week due to the Selecao’s clash with England on Wednesday, revealed his ambition to play on the continent someday

Santos striker Neymar has claimed he can imagine playing for Bayern Munich in the future.

The Bundesliga club became the centre of attention in January after they confirmed that former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola would be taking over in the summer from Jupp Heynckes.

And now Neymar is the latest famous football figure to associate himself with the Bavarians.

“All leagues are interesting in the end, including the Bundesliga,” he told German news outlet SID.

“Bayern are a big club with extraordinary players. Playing for Bayern is something I could imagine doing. There is nothing that speaks against this.

“[Bastian] Schweinsteiger is one of the best players I have ever seen. It is the basics that make him strong: his positioning, his passing and his presence on the field.”

The 21-year-old defended his decision to remain at Santos for the short-term but reiterated his intention to move to Europe.

And, though, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the main candidates, he insisted a transfer to La Liga might not be forthcoming.

“I dreamed to play in Europe since I was a child, but it is important I feel good and adapt with the rest of the team,” he continued.

“[The transfer] doesn’t have to be Spain necessarily.”

Neymar was on the Ballon d’Or long-list this year but Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and (eventual winner) Lionel Messi were the trio which competed for the top prize.

And the Brazilian believes those three players are examples for other footballers to follow.

“Messi, Iniesta or Ronaldo are on another level,” he said. “They are role models for us, on the field and as persons.”

The Santos talent also revealed that he is still trying to work on the weaker aspects of his game, as well as accepting that there is a lot of pressure on the Selecao leading up to the World Cup in the summer of 2014.

“As host country we are under pressure, of course,” he said. “But maybe our fans will help lead us to success at the World Cup in our own country.

“[To win it] we have to improve our link-up play, but I believe it will soon be better. Personally, I have to improve my heading, shooting and possession-play.”

The striker says he is happy “for now” but wants to wait and see what the club’s position is at the end of the season, admitting they are not title contenders any longer

Luis Suarez is happy at Liverpool for now, but has hinted at doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been in terrific form for the Reds this term, netting 17 goals in 24 league games, and has been a key figure at Anfield since his €26.5 million move from Ajax in January 2011.

“We will see at the end of the season what Liverpool’s position is – we’re not the Liverpool of old”

And the 26-year-old has recently affirmed his commitment to the Premier League side, despite rumours linking him with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, as well as Juventus and Real Madrid.

The forward has once again stated he is “content” at the club for the time being, but indicated that fresh talks about his contract are needed in the not too distant future.

When asked by Marca if they should talk about his future in the summer, he replied: “Yes, we should talk this June or the next one, in 2014. My contract ends in 2018.

“My family is very happy here and I’m living a dream, playing for a club that every kid wants to play for. So we’re content, for now.”

Brendan Rodgers’ men, currently in seventh place and nine points off the top four, are aiming to get back into the Champions League this season after a prolonged absence from the elite European competition they have won five times.

It remains a tough feat though, with Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea all in the mix for the last two spots behind Manchester City and neighbours United, while Liverpool are without a win against a top-half team this campaign.

Suarez has revealed in the past that it would not take Champions League qualification to keep him with the Reds, but has now indicated that he may not stick to his word.

“We will see at the end of the season what Liverpool’s position is – we’re not the Liverpool of old,” he continued. “We’re coming out of a rough patch, but this is a transition period with a new gaffer and a different philosophy.

“The players enjoy how the manager wants us to play. All we need are the results and to finish in the Champions League spots.

“We would like to qualify for the Champions League if possible. We are young and growing as a team and when the players mature, we will be stronger.”