Lying third in Group A after suffering a 2-1 defeat at FC Girondins de Bordeaux last time out, FC Bayern München are in desperate need of a home victory over the same opponents to lift themselves back into the qualification mix.
A 2-1 victory at the Stade Chaban-Delmas a fortnight ago took Laurent Blanc's side to the top of Group A, three points clear of Bayern and two ahead of Juventus. Another win at the Allianz Arena tomorrow night would ensure Bordeaux secure at least one of the top two positions in the group and leave Bayern to battle it out with Juve for the other.
A 1-0 win over Monaco on Saturday, a result which kept Bordeaux at the top of Ligue 1, will have given Les Girondins enough confidence to face Bayern without any fear, even in their own back yard.
On the other hand Bayern have been experiencing a mix of problems lately. Having drawn 0-0 at Stuttgart on Saturday, the Bavarians have slipped to sixth in the Bundesliga, five points adrift of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Coach Louis van Gaal knows his side cannot afford any more slip-ups.
The Dutchman will be without the suspended Daniel Van Buyten and Thomas Muller, who both picked up red cards in France. Martin Demichelis should replace the former, but Arjen Robben is not quite fit enough to start in place of Muller, although Van Gaal says he could still play a decisive role. Luca Toni should return to the starting XI after being left out in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Bordeaux are now favorites to cause a big upset to Bayern , however, the Bavarians wont go down without a fight.
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