Bayern Munich and Auckland City face off for the first time ever in their history as they play their first games each of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) at the TQL Stadium on Sunday evening.
The recent Bundesliga champions will be big favourites to kick off their campaign with a win against the team from New Zealand, who are the lowest-ranked side in the tournament. Portuguese outfit Benfica and Argentine giants Boca Juniors make up the rest of Group C.
Bayern are on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and have won four of their last five matches. Auckland are unbeaten in five games themselves, winning their previous four.
However, the gap in quality in the domestic leagues that they both play in is enormous, and so Bayern will be heavy favourites to kick off their CWC campaign with a victory. Nonetheless, Auckland will still relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of the best teams in Europe.
Recent head-to-head: No previous meetings
As mentioned, there have been no previous meetings between Bayern and Auckland.
Predicted lineups
Jonathan Tah could make his debut for Bayern having signed on a free transfer from nearest Bundesliga challengers Bayer Leverkusen. Leroy Sane is also available despite being on his way to Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray after the tournament finishes.
Auckland have no fresh concerns heading into this one, and so have a full squad to choose from.
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Tah, Stanisic, Guerreiro, Pavlovic, Goretzka, Bischof, Muller, Gnabry, Kane.
Auckland City: Tracey, Legos, Mitchell, Boxal, Lobo, Garriga, Ilic, Yoo, Manickum, Bevan, Zeb.
