Champions League Group E predictions and odds: Bayern a cut above the rest

Team-by-team guide, betting predictions, best bets and analysis for Champions League Group E.

Bayern Munich

Manager - Julian Nagelsmann
Bayern Munich's new manager is a year younger than his captain, Manuel Neuer, but has racked up over five seasons in the dugout across spells with Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. He took Leipzig to a Champions League semi-final in 2019-20.

Transfer activity
Nagelsmann has raided his former club RB Leipzig, acquiring stylish attacking midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and pacy defender Dayot Upamecano. Talented utility man David Alaba has left for Real Madrid.

Key man
Striker Robert Lewandowski turned 33 this summer but remains the main man and helped himself to an early-season hat-trick in last month's 5-0 success at home to Hertha Berlin.

Prospects
Bayern Munich followed up their 2019-20 Champions League success with last season's disappointing quarter-final exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain, but they have the tools to return to the winners enclosure.

Few teams are more exciting to watch and Bayern usually strike a happy balance between entertainment and effectiveness.

The loss of Lewandowski for both legs of last season's quarter-final against PSG was pivotal with the French side advancing on away goals despite the cumulative shot count numbering 45 to 16 in Bayern's favour.

Bayern will be hoping for better luck on the injury front and will not fear anyone when they are close to full-strength.

Inside info

Best 11
4-2-3-1: Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Sule, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Lewandowski.

Penalty taker Robert Lewandowski

Set-piece aerial threat Niklas Sule

Card magnet Joshua Kimmich

Star rating out of five Five

Barcelona

Manager – Ronald Koeman
Patience is normally in short supply for Barcelona managers but Ronald Koeman has a little extra credit in the bank thanks to his illustrious playing career at the Camp Nou.

Transfer activity
Lionel Messi's departure this summer was a huge story and the debt-ridden Catalans also shifted Antoine Greizmann, who sealed a loan switch back to Atletico Madrid. Free transfers Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay were the headline-making signings.

Key man
There will be plenty of focus on Aguero (when free from injury) and Depay, but both will rely on good service and the quality passes should flow from talented teenager Pedri, who was outstanding for Spain at Euro 2020.

Prospects
Moving on from Messi is a huge challenge for Barcelona and one that is unlikely to have a happy ending with regards to this season's Champions League.

The task of replacing the club legend was made all the more difficult by the club's well-documented financial woes and injury problems are already afflicting Aguero, who has played very little football in recent times.

However, Depay should deliver plenty of goals and the midfield looks strong with the experience of Sergio Busquets complementing the youth and talent of Pedri.

Barca are a dangerous side on their day but a lack of consistency could prevent them from making a major impact.

Inside info

Best 11
4-3-3: Ter Stegen; Dest, Lenglet, Pique, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, De Jong; Coutinho, Depay, Fati.

Penalty taker Memphis Depay

Set-piece aerial threat Gerard Pique

Card magnet Sergio Busquets

Star rating out of five Three

Benfica

Manager – Jorge Jesus
A vastly-experienced manager, who led Benfica to three league titles and two Europa League finals in his first spell in charge. Jesus further enhanced his reputation by steering Flamengo to a Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league double in 2019.

Transfer activity
Benfica have been splashing the cash in recent years and the process continued with midfielders Joao Mario and Souahilo Meite joining from Inter and Torino and centre-forward Roman Yaremchuk arriving from Gent. Left-back Nuno Tavares was sold to Arsenal.

Key man
Swiss centre-forward Haris Seferovic looked a much-improved player in his first season under Jesus and will be looking to kick-on.

Prospects
European champions on two occasions, Benfica have been serial under achievers in recent history and will be hoping to change the dynamic.

Jesus's team were third in Portugal last season but have started the 2021-22 campaign in a positive fashion by winning all five league games and coming through Champions League qualifiers against Spartak Moscow (winning 4-0 on aggregate) and PSV Eindhoven (winning 2-1).

They dug out a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the second leg away to PSV despite Lucas Verissimo's 32nd-minute red card, and that experience could stand them in good stead as they prepare to compete in a difficult group.

Inside info

Best 11
3-4-2-1: Vlachodimos; Lucas Verissimo, Otamendi, Morato; Diogo Goncalves, Weigl, Joao Mario, Alex Grimaldo; Pizzi, Rafa Silva; Seferovic.

Penalty taker Haris Seferovic/Pizzi

Set-piece aerial threat Haris Seferovic

Card magnet Nicolas Otamendi

Star rating out of five Two

Dynamo Kiev

Manager – Mircea Lucescu
The 76-year-old Romanian is one of the most successful managers in world football, having hoovered up 38 trophies. He joined Dynamo Kiev last summer and had immediate success, winning a Ukrainian Super Cup and a Ukrainian League and Cup double.

Transfer activity
Lucescu has focused on the top end of the pitch with Brazilian attacker Vininto joining from Athletico Paranaense and Venezuelan forward Eric Ramirez signing from Dunajska Streda.

Key man
Ukrainian central defender Illya Zabarnyi turned 19 this month but is already an influential player for club and country.

Prospects
Lucescu is an outstanding manager who usually gets the very best out of players but even his tactical acumen may not be enough for Dynamo Kiev to be competitive in a tough Champions League group.

Expert recruitment – especially from South America – was key to Lucescu's long period of success with Shakhtar Donetsk and he will be hoping for an instant impact from 22-year-old prospect Vitinho, who netted three goals in his last six outings for Athletico Paranaense.

However, Dynamo's modest budget - by far the lowest in the group - could see them come up short.

Inside info

Best 11
4-2-3-1: Bushchan; Kedziora, Zabarnyi, Syrota, Mykolenko; Sydorchuk, Shaparenko; Tsygankov, Buyalskyi, De Pena; Vitinho.

Penalty taker
Viktor Tsygankov

Set-piece aerial threat
Illya Zabarnyi

Card magnet
Mykola Shaparenko

Star rating out of five
Two

Best bet

Bayern Munich to win Group E
5pts 4-7 general

Group preview

Barcelona will be desperate to avenge their embarrassing 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 Champions League semi-finals but are at risk of reopening old wounds when crossing swords with the Bavarians in Group E.

The Catalans are playing with greater tactical nous under Ronald Koeman but they have fewer match winners following the departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann and must get used to the fact that they can no longer go toe-to-toe with Europe's elite and emerge victorious.

Koeman needs his team to play with discipline and is aided by the experience of outstanding holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, who remains among the world's best in his position.

However, Barca are probably playing for second place because they are up against a hugely-talented Bayern side eager to right the perceived wrongs of last season's quarter-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayern have every chance of going all the way and have little to fear from any of their sectional opponents.

The battle for second could get interesting although Barca, even without Messi, should have the edge and are assisted by not having to visit Munich until matchday six, by which time the Bavarians should have the group wrapped up.

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport