How should Bayern Munich line up against Besiktas?

We try to predict how Jupp Heynckes will line up the team in Istanbul.

By Ineednoname Mar 12, 2018, 3:30pm CET

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben, Sandro Wagner, Joshua Kimmich, Rafinha, Thiago and Sebastian Rudy (L-R) of FC Bayern Muenchen warm up during a training session at the club's Saebener Strasse training ground on March 8, 2018 in Munich, Germany.

Bayern Munich travel to Turkey on Wednesday to face Besiktas in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Bayern come into the tie with a 5 goal advantage from the first leg—a scoreline that has never been overturned in the Champions League before.

This presents its own set of unique challenges. The Bavarians have two players at risk of a suspension if they pick up a yellow card—star striker Robert Lewandowski and starting right back Joshua Kimmich. Meanwhile, the Vodafone Arena is known for its intimidating atmosphere, so Jupp Heynckes may choose to start a more conservative lineup than he would usually for a big UCL away game.

James Rodriguez, who has been injured since starting against Besiktas back in February, should be available to play the game, but it is doubtful that Jupp Heynckes would put the Colombian straight back into the thick of things in front of a hostile away crowd at an intimidating stadium. Corentin Tolisso is also expected to be out after sustaining a contact injury against Hamburg in the weekend.

Here’s how our writers think Bayern Munich will line-up against Besiktas: