Bayern Munich vs Barcelona: Champions League live stream, TV channel, how to watch online, news, odds

Barcelona are fighting for their Champions League life on Wednesday when they visit already qualified Bayern Munich on Matchday 6. Bayern have easily won the squad and can afford to play a backup squad, while Barca have work to do. Xavi’s side advance to the round of 16 with a victory, while they automatically advance if Benfica fail to beat Dynamo Kiev. Here are the storylines, how you can watch the game and more:

How to watch and odds

• Dated: Wednesday December 8 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Site: Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
• Television and live broadcast: Paramount +.
• Chances: Bayern -155; Draw +370; Barca +330 (via Caesars Sportsbook)

Scenarios

Bayern: They can afford to run their team, without risking injury, and the outcome will not matter. I expect some key players to compete against each other in order to have some fluidity and familiarity in the lineup, but it wouldn’t be so surprising to see Robert Lewandowski on the bench. Barcelona are hoping he won’t play as the Bavarians have won their last three games against the Spanish team. Expect a weakened Bayern side to always look like the best team against a desperate side under heavy pressure.

Barça: It’s a new era with Xavi as a coach, but can he help this team succeed in UCL after such uninspiring performances in La Liga? There is renewed confidence in the team, but it is the same often injured team that does not seem ready to compete. Even getting a point at Bayern, with the hosts playing as substitutes, seems like a tall order for a side lacking cohesion and quality. It could be the turning point of their season or just another game added to the list of disappointments.

Prediction

Bayern can rest from the key players and still dominate Barca, and in the end they do, bouncing the Catalan club off the competition. To take: Bayern 2, Barça 1.