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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 5, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Mandzukic (65')

Preview: Viktoria Plzen vs. Bayern Munich

Sports Mole previews the Champions League clash between European champions Bayern Munich and Group D minnows Viktoria Plzen.

Bayern Munich can all but mathematically secure qualification to the Champions League knockout stages with victory at Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.

The current holders of the trophy have won all three of their Group C matches thus far and thrashed Plzen 5-0 in the reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena a fortnight ago.

Mario Gotze scored after coming off the bench in that match and started in the 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday, but is likely to be only among the substitutes should Arjen Robben recover from injury in time.

Gotze, a £30m summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, has only been used three times from the start this season, with Robben and fellow winger Franck Ribery keeping him out of the team with their impressive performances.

Pep Guardiola will make a decision on whether to deploy Thomas Muller, who netted the winner in their last Bundesliga outing, or Toni Kroos behind lone striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Spanish coach may rotate his defensive options against a side who are yet to claim a point in this year's competition and have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions.

Captain Pavel Horvath scored twice as Plzen returned to form with a 6-0 win in the domestic league on Friday and will likely play in midfield - in front of experienced Czech international David Limbersky.

Recent form

Plzen:WLLDLW

Bayern: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineups

Plzen: Kozacik; Limbersky, Hubnik, Cisovsky; Horava; Horvath, Prochazka, Petrzela, Rajtoral; Tecl, Duris

Bayern: Neuer; Rafina, Dante, Van Buyten, Contento; Schweinsteiger, Alaba; Ribery, Muller, Robben, Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 0-4


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Bayern players celebrate the second goal for Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and FSV Mainz 05 on October 19, 2013
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