Bayern Munich v Auckland City

Bayern Munich kick off their Club World Cup campaign against New Zealand-based side Auckland City. These sides are joined by Boca Juniors and Benfica in Group C with Bayern heavy favourites to top the group and even heavier favourites to come out on top here, with some bookmakers leaving Auckland’s chances of success here at 100/1.

Bayern Munich finished the 24/25 season as Bundesliga champions but there are still murmurings of discontent around Vincent Kompany’s side, particularly concerning the backline which may come into effect later on in the tournament. Auckland City are one of the best sides in New Zealand, but there is a significant quality gap between these sides as the markets suggest.

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⭐ Bayern Munich v Auckland City Best Bet

Bayern Munich are strong favorites to win their opening Club World Cup match against New Zealand’s National League champions, Auckland City. Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern possess the attacking quality to have a deep run in the tournament, but their defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent structure raise questions for the German giants.  

Bayern Munich’s goal scoring prowess is undeniable, having netted 99 times in the Bundesliga during the 24/25 season - an average of 2.91 goals per game, the highest in the league. They scored 22 first half goals in the Bundesliga last term, with 71% of their matches featuring at least one goal before halftime. Few teams in Europe can match this record, which spells trouble for Auckland City.  

In the 24/25 Bundesliga campaign, 41% of Bayern’s total goals came in the first half. They will view this match as a chance to start the tournament strongly and build momentum for the challenges ahead. For Auckland, the priority will be damage control, keeping the scoreline respectable to avoid a crushing blow to their confidence after the first game of the Club World Cup.

👕 Bayern Munich v Auckland City Predicted XI

🔎 Bayern Munich v Auckland City Players to Watch

🔴 Harry Kane

Harry Kane enjoyed a fruitful 24/25 season, scoring 38 goals across his 46 appearances for Bayern Munich this season. It’s his second successful season in Germany having scored 44 goals in 45 appearances in the season prior. Bayern could end up close to double digits in goals here with the quality advantage they hold over Auckland, and Kane is the most obvious player to back to get on the scoresheet. He’s a bit short to strike once here, but the price to back England’s all time top goal scorer to get a few goals here is slightly more appealing.

🔴 Dayot Upamecano

Upamencano is part of a Bayern Munich backline which has been questioned at times this season due to their vulnerability, especially against the better sides as was exposed during the Champions League. Auckland won’t have many opportunities to venture into Bayern Munich’s half, let alone their box, but when they do get those opportunities you would expect them to be as direct as possible which should see Upamencano contest a few duels. Upamencano averaged 1.02 fouls committed per 90 during the 24/25 Bundesliga season.

📊 Bayern Munich v Auckland City Form and Tactics

Bayern Munich come into the Club World Cup after a strong end to the season which saw them secure the Bundesliga title, reclaiming it from Bayer Leverkusen who had interrupted the procession of Bayern Munich success in Germany for many years. 

Bayern Munich are quite an entertaining side to watch and have plenty of firepower which suggests that certainly the group stages of this competition won’t cause them too many issues. They may be more challenged from the quarter finals onwards with Bayern yet to really show that they can go toe to toe with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City as their backline is still very much a point of weakness which can be exploited.

That being said, Bayern shouldn’t have any problems here in recording a comfortable victory over Auckland City who are are priced at 501.0 to win the tournament, which illustrates the challenge that lies ahead of them. They are New Zealand’s most successful side and qualified for the competition as winners of the OFC Champions League.

Auckland could be one of the stories of the tournament, and exposure against sides like Bayern Munich will be massive for the development of the club. However, with some of their players being part time and their coach in Jonas Hoffman only being 29 years old, it’s likely that this edition of the Club World Cup will be a baptism of fire for the New Zealand side who were only founded in 2004.

🏁 Bayern Munich v Auckland City Ref Watch

• Referee: Issa Sy

• Stats are on per 90 basis and are taken from Sy's 2024 African Cup Of Nation's games (5 total)

Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

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The FIFA Club World Cup continues to heat up, and our Football Betting Predictions are crafted to help you in your picks across all the action.

Check out our Sunday Both Teams to Score Tips, as well as our Club World Cup Accumulator Tips, PSG v Atletico Madrid Betting Preview, PSG v Atletico Madrid Bet Builder Tips, Bayern Munich v Auckland City Bet Builder Tips, PSG v Atletico Madrid Gem Bet and Palmeiras v Porto Bet Builder for Sunday night's action.

For Monday's Club World Cup action, we have an exclusive Chelsea v LAFC Betting Preview, Chelsea v LAFC Bet Builder Tips.

Expert guides, such as this one, on xG in Football, are also available to help you up your punting game. To back the bets in this preview, it's worth taking advantage of this Paddy Power Sign Up Offer or the Betfair Sign Up Offer.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.