The two clubs face each other in the Champions League group tage for the third time in last four years and once again they have been placed in a very difficult group.

And with the Bundesliga and Premier League holders set to square off at Alianz Arena, we should see plenty of fireworks on Wednesday evening.

It was eventual champions Real Madrid who ended Bayern Munich’s title defence in the Champions League last term, and the Bavarians will be hoping to mount another serious challenge for the coveted trophy.

There have been some changes in the side this summer, with Kroos and Mandzukic leaving and Lewandowski, Alonso, Benatia, Reina, Bernat and Rode joining, but things are slowly falling into place.

With a number of star players missing, Bayern were unable to match arch rivals Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup, but they eased off to the next round of the DFB Pokal.

The slip-up at Schalke in the league didn’t prove too costly as the Bavarians saw off Wolfsburg and Stuttgart at home, but they now face the first real test of the season.

And even though the infirmary is quite packed at the moment, Pep Guardiola’s charges have been made 1.67 (2/3) favourites to win the game.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Rafinha, Javi Martinez, Holger Badstuber, Thiago Alcantara and Mitchell Weiser are definitely out, while Arjen Robben is an injury doubt.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Bernat – Alonso, Alaba – Muller, Gotze, Ribery – Lewandowski.

While two Premier League trophies in three years can be considered a success, Manchester City are desperate for some European recognition, having only once progressed from the group stage in the said time interval.

And seeing as how the Citizens were stopped by Barcelona in the first knockout stage last term, they will be eager to reach the final stages of the competition this time out.

However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side first need to get past the group that also contains Bayern Munich, AS Roma and CSKA Moscow, and they are just 1.40 (2/5) to succeed in their quest.

Manchester City responded well to a shock defeat to Stoke City, having held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, but they will have to show improvement at the back if they want to get something from Alianz Arena.

But, having won on their last visit to Munich and facing an injury-plagued Bayern side, the Citizens are available at 5.40 (22/5) to claim maximum points.

Stevan Jovetic and Fernando are unlikely to be risked in Germany, whilst Pablo Zabaleta is suspended. Yaya Toure should be recalled after missing the weekend’s game.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov – Toure, Fernandinho – Navas, Silva, Nasri – Aguero.