Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal: Kickoff Time, Streaming and What to Watch

Bayern Munich host Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in what three match previews describe as the marquee Champions League game of the week. Kickoff is 9 p.m. local time, or 3 p.m. Eastern, and NBC Sports lists Paramount+ as the streaming home for U.S. viewers.

The game pairs the reigning champions of Germany and England. Bayern are missing winger Michael Olise through suspension, while Arsenal are without several injured players, according to the previews.

What this means for viewers watching from the U.S.

NBC Sports gives the kickoff as 3 p.m. ET and names Paramount+ as the TV and streaming option. Bavarian Football Works also lists 3 p.m. EDT, which matches 9 p.m. in Munich. The match is the third league-phase game of the season for both clubs.

Bavarian Football Works listed betting odds of Bayern at +100, a draw at +280 and Arsenal at +240, a sign of how closely matched the teams are considered.

Why the two teams meet with a lot of history

NBC Sports noted that both clubs lost to PSG last season. Bayern went out in the semifinals after two tight legs, and Arsenal lost the final on penalty kicks. Bavarian Football Works and The Short Fuse both pointed to last season's league-phase meeting in London, which Arsenal won 3-1.

Bavarian Football Works also noted that Bayern have not lost a home game in the Champions League group or league phase since December 2013. It added that Arsenal have not conceded in either of their Champions League matches this season. The Short Fuse put their latest result at a 3-0 win over Lille.

Form: Bayern's goals against Arsenal's grind

Bayern opened the competition with a 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, then drew 3-3 at Viking. According to The Short Fuse, they led 3-2 before Viking equalized with a penalty in the 90th minute. NBC Sports and Bavarian Football Works reported that Bayern bounced back by beating RB Leipzig 6-1 at the weekend. The Short Fuse said Bayern sit level on 14 points with Borussia Dortmund atop the Bundesliga, with a goal difference of +17.

Harry Kane has scored 7 goals this season, per The Short Fuse, which also credited Luis Diaz with 5. Bavarian Football Works noted that Kane has 15 goals in 22 matches against Arsenal.

Arsenal have been winning, though not always convincingly. Outlets count their record differently. NBC Sports said they have won nine of 10 games in all competitions, while The Short Fuse said 10 wins from 11 matches. Bavarian Football Works said their only defeat was a 3-0 loss to Brighton. The Short Fuse said the main criticism is their lack of goals, and that they have failed to score in the first half in most of their games this season.

Who is missing and who may play

Bavarian Football Works and The Short Fuse reported that Olise is suspended after being sent off in the draw at Viking. The Short Fuse said he received a second yellow card for throwing the ball at an opponent. Bavarian Football Works also listed Jamal Musiala (thigh) as out. It listed Manuel Neuer (foot) and coach Vincent Kompany (hip and illness) as questionable. It predicted Jonathan Tah, Alphonso Davies and Lennart Karl would come into the lineup.

For Arsenal, NBC Sports listed William Saliba, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Kepa Arrizabalaga as injured. The Short Fuse listed Saliba (back), Hincapie (ankle) and Tzolis (hamstring). Reports differ on Saliba's timeline. NBC Sports said he is getting closer to a return, while The Short Fuse projected about another month out.

NBC Sports expects Mikel Arteta to rotate heavily after Sunday's win at Nottingham Forest, with Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Noni Madueke likely to start. The Short Fuse predicted an attack of Madueke, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

How each side could win it

The Short Fuse argued that Bayern's best route is an early goal, since Arsenal would then have to chase the game on the road. Bayern have scored at least two goals in all but one match this season, it noted.

For Arsenal, it said the key is the midfield. In their wins this season the midfield controlled the ball and the pace, while the Brighton loss came when they could not. Giving Martin Odegaard space and Declan Rice room to carry the ball would be central, it said.

The previews split on the outcome. NBC Sports picked Bayern to win 2-1, while Bavarian Football Works predicted a 1-1 draw.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by NBC Sports, Bavarian Football Works, The Short Fuse