Bayern Munich and Olympiacos meet at the Allianz Arena in Group F of the Champions League on Tuesday, knowing that a draw will send both through to the knockout stage of the tournament.
The German and Greek champions have each secured nine points from their first four fixtures of the campaign, leaving them six clear of the other two sides in the group.
Bayern Munich
© Getty Images
Pep Guardiola's side sit at the top of Group F, with three wins from their four outings so far, including a 3-0 win over Olympiacos in the reverse fixture.
Last time out in the Champions League, the Bundesliga champions made amends for their only defeat so far, thrashing Arsenal 5-1 at home to all but secure their passage into the last 16.
Despite a number of the club's players being caught up in the attacks at the Stade de France over the international break, as well as the cancellation of Germany's friendly with the Netherlands, Bayern made a confident return to domestic competition at the weekend, cruising to a 3-1 win over Schalke 04, which keeps them unbeaten in the German league so far this season.
Three of the six top scorers in Group F play for Bayern, including Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, who with four goals each are the joint leaders. With 13 goals in their first four matches, Bayern have scored more than twice as many as any of their rivals in Group F.
Lewandowski has been one of the most prolific strikers across Europe's top leagues so far this season, netting 19 goals for Bayern in all competitions. The Polish international's dominance has slowed in recent weeks though, with the 27-year-old netting three times in his last eight appearances.
The German side also have the strongest defence, having kept two clean sheets and conceded just three goals. Every other side has let in at least twice as many, while no other team has more than one clean sheet.
Recent form: LWWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Olympiacos
© Getty Images
Olympiacos's preparation for this fixture has not been ideal, with the team having played just once since their win over Dinamo Zagreb at the start of the month, beating Iraklis 2-0 before the international break.
The Greek champions had been due to face Panathinaikos at the weekend, but the match was called off after striker Alfred Finnbogason was hit by a flare, resulting in violent scenes as fans invaded the pitch, breaking chairs and advertising hoardings while fighting with riot police.
Olympiacos are in strong form in the Champions League though, having won their last three fixtures in this competition, including a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb last time out, which leaves them second in the table, six points clear of the Croatian side and Arsenal.
Olympiacos have not made it beyond the group stage of the Champions League since the 2009-10 season, but they know that anything other than defeat in Munich will book them a place in the next stage of the competition.
This week's visitors have not been than prolific in front of goal in this competition, netting six goals in four fixtures so far, half of which have come from Felipe Pardo.
The team has defended well since their defeat to Bayern in the opening round of fixtures though, conceding just three further goals, and keeping a clean sheet away in Zagreb.
Recent form: LWLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Team News
© Getty Images
The home side will be missing a number of players through injury, including Thiago Alcantara, who picked up a knee injury over the international break.
Mario Gotze remains sidelined with a groin injury, while Franck Ribery and Bernat are also out. Meanwhile, David Alaba needs a late fitness test after being forced off early in the win over Schalke at the weekend.
The visitors will be missing Alberto Botia, as he is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Andreas Bouchalakis misses out with a thigh problem.
Giannis Maniatis and Alejandro Dominguez are also doubts as they are carrying knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer, Lahm, Martinez, Boateng, Rafinha, Alonso, Vidal, Robben, Muller, Costa, Lewandowski
Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Roberto, Elabdellaoui, Da Costa, Siovas, Masuaku, Cambiasso, Milivojevic, Kasami, Pardo, Fortounis, Ideye
Head To Head
Thomas Muller netted a brace and Mario Gotze was also on the scoresheet when the sides met in the reverse fixture in Piraeus earlier in the campaign, handing Bayern a 3-0 victory.
The only other meetings between these two clubs came in the 1980-81 season, when the German side took a 7-2 aggregate win, including a 3-0 win in Munich.
Olympiacos have only once won in Germany in six previous visits to Bundesliga sides, beating Werder Bremen 3-1 in 2007.
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Olympiacos
While a draw would suit both sides, it is difficult to imagine Bayern being happy to settle for a point, having dropped points in just two competitive matches so far this season. Olympiacos typically do not travel well in Europe, and have particularly struggled in Germany, so a home win certainly seems the most likely outcome.
Sian Cowper
