Bayern Munich vs. Villarreal: UEFA Champions League probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Bayern had a rare quiet day in front of goal in Spain, but returned to winning ways against Augsburg at the weekend. Lewandowski's 46th goal in 40 competitive games so far this season propelled the Bundesliga leaders a step closer to a record-extending 10th successive league title, whilst providing a welcome boost ahead of a must-win continental encounter. Alphonso Davies' timely return following a lengthy lay-off is another filip for the six-time European champions. The Canadian went the distance in the first leg and, after making a second-half cameo at the weekend, is expected to be fully rested for the visit of Villarreal. Defender Lucas Hernandez is also due back after being granted a breather, with fit-again midfielder Leon Goretzka likewise set to start after being gradually brought back up to full speed this past fortnight. Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane - who both began but didn't finish the Augsburg game - will vie for the remaining place in attack alongside Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller.

Seventh domestically, Villarreal warmed up for one of the toughest away games in European football by drawing 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. Head coach Unai Emery rotated his entire starting line-up for the game, such is the size of the task facing the Yellow Submarine in the Bavarian capital. Bayern have lost only one of their last 13 home matches in the Champions League, and haven't failed to score a Champions League goal in front of their own supporters in exactly four years. Villarreal will be out if Bayern win by two or more clear goals - something they have comfortably managed to do in every home fixture in this season's competition (5-0, 5-2, 3-0 & 7-1) - while a Bayern victory by one will send the tie to extra-time, and possibly penalties. The winner of the quarter-final between Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool and Benfica - who finished second in Bayern's group - await in the last four.

Match stats

With 85 goals in 105 appearances, Lewandowski boasts the best scoring ratio of the Champions League era (0.81 goals per game), ahead of Lionel Messi (0.8) and Cristiano Ronaldo (0.77).

Davies is set to make his 110th competitive appearance for Bayern. He has 20 Champions League games under his belt.

Bayern have recovered from an away first-leg defeat to win the tie on 10 occasions in UEFA competition.

Bayern beat Barcelona 3-0 at home in this season's groups, and Atletico Madrid 4-0 last term.

Bayern are appearing in the Champions League quarter-finals for a competition record 20th time.

Nagelsmann reached the 2019/20 Champions League semi-finals whilst in charge of RB Leipzig, overseeing a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in their one-legged quarter-final tie.

Probable line-ups

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Süle, Hernandez - Kimmich, Goretzka - Coman, Müller, Sane, Davies - Lewandowski

Out: Tolisso (hamstring)

Doubtful: Choupo-Moting (knee), Sarr (knee)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Villarreal: Rulli - Foyth, Albiol (c), Torres, Estupinan - Coquelin, Capoue, Parejo - Lo Celso - Moreno, Danjuma

Out: A. Moreno (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Unai Emery

Share