Bayern Munich are expected to start as strong favourites when they open their Champions League league-phase campaign against Bodø/Glimt at home, although the Norwegian side arrive with growing ambition after surprising opponents last season.
The Bavarian club are accustomed to competing in Europe’s biggest fixtures and will look to make a positive start on matchday one. Bodø/Glimt, meanwhile, will aim to repeat the kind of unexpected performances that made them one of the standout teams in Norway last season.
Bayern Munich
Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry, who remains unavailable, while Lennard Karl has returned to the squad. Jamal Musiala is still considered a doubt but could be fit to feature.
Harry Kane is expected to lead the attack and represents the main threat for the German side. He is likely to be supported by Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, both of whom impressed last season.
The anticipated Bayern Munich line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Defenders: Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Alphonso Davies
Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz
Forward: Harry Kane
The selection would give Bayern a strong blend of experience and attacking quality, with Neuer providing the experience behind a defence featuring Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Davies. Kimmich and Pavlovic are expected to anchor the midfield, while Olise, Musiala and Diaz would operate behind Kane.
Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt will also have absentees for the meeting, with Aleesami, Gundersen and Evjen among those unavailable. The rest of the squad is described as largely ready to play.
Andreas Helmersen is expected to be one of the main attacking outlets for the Norwegian club. In midfield, Blomberg, Patrick Berg and Fet are likely to have important roles as Bodø/Glimt attempt to challenge Bayern away from home.
The anticipated Bodø/Glimt line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Nikita Haikin
Defenders: Fredrik Sjovold, Nielsen, Odin Bjørtuft, Fredrik Bjørkan
Midfielders: Auklend, Patrick Berg, Fet
Attackers: Blomberg, Andreas Helmersen, Jens Petter Hauge
Bodø/Glimt’s probable formation includes a midfield built around Berg and Fet, with Blomberg, Helmersen and Hauge forming the attacking trio. Their task will be to cope with Bayern’s depth and the threat posed by Kane and the players operating behind him.
The match will be Bayern Munich’s first fixture of the league phase of this season’s Champions League. The source article also lists betting odds from 1xBet, with Bayern Munich priced at 1.11 to win, a draw at 14.00 and a Bodø/Glimt victory at 19.50.
Those figures underline the expectation that Bayern will begin the competition with a victory, although Bodø/Glimt’s recent reputation as an ambitious and capable Norwegian team means the hosts cannot afford to underestimate them.