Eastern Conference bottom-feeders D.C. United welcome Bayern Munich, who will be playing their first match of the pre-season, to Audi Field in a much-anticipated Wednesday evening friendly.
Wayne Rooney was appointed as D.C. United’s new manager on July 12, but the England legend hasn’t yet patrolled the sidelines as he awaits confirmation of a work visa. However, Derby County’s former gaffer watched from the stands for D.C. United’s last two matches and is now intricately involved behind the scenes.
Hosting Bayern Munich presents a perfect opportunity for Rooney to see how his forlorn side measures up against one of Europe’s elite — here are our D.C. United vs. Bayern Munich picks for July 20.
D.C. United vs Bayern Munich match odds
| D.C. United | Bayern Munich | |
|---|---|---|
| +600 | Moneyline | -300 |
| +400 | Draw | +400 |
| O 2.5 (-225) | Total | U 2.5 (+170) |
Odds courtesy of bet365 on July 19, 2022.
D.C. United vs Bayern Munich betting tips
- Prediction: Bayern Munich -323
- Prediction: Over 2.5 (-233)
- Best bet: Bayern Munich and Over 2.5 (-161)
Predictions made on 7/19/2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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D.C. United vs Bayern Munich game info
• Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
• Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FuboTV, ESPN+
D.C. United vs Bayern Munich betting preview
Weather
A sweltering 91F is expected at kickoff on Wednesday night in the nation’s capital. There’s virtually no chance of precipitation and the winds will be light to moderate, hovering around 9 mph.
Injuries
D.C. United: Bill Hamid GK (Out), Adrien Perez F (Out), Kimarni Smith F (Out).
Bayern Munich: Leon Goretzka M (Out).
D.C. United vs Bayern Munich predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Side analysis
D.C. United will hope that Rooney is the cure for all that ails them. Reeling at the foot of the Eastern Conference table, D.C. United has picked up 18 points in 19 MLS matches. Audi Field has not provided a sanctuary, offering absolutely no reprieve for a side that has won just three of 10 home contests. Their home form, after mustering only 11 from a possible 30 points at Audi Field, represents one of Rooney’s most clear and present challenges.
It’s not only D.C. United’s inability to win matches that should concern Rooney, but the manner in which they’re losing. The Black-and-Red concede a lot of goals, 41 in 19 matches to be exact, including nine during their current four-game home winless streak.
When you concede with the relative ease D.C. United does, it’s crucial to have an offense that offsets such glaring defensive frailties. Unfortunately, D.C. United has almost as much trouble scoring as it does preventing opponents from doing so. The Black-and-Red have scored 25 goals, the joint-third-least in the Eastern Conference.
Usually, the presence of a new manager buoys a side, even if only temporarily. However, Rooney hasn’t been able to patrol the touchline, making it more difficult to add a personal touch and directly impact proceedings.
If Rooney is looking for potential advantages against Bayern Munich, he’ll point to the fact that the German champions are set to play their first pre-season match. While it’s not as if Bayern’s players get to enjoy an extended summer break, they’ll still require time to get up to match speed. It’s crucial for D.C. United to take advantage of any Bayern sluggishness in the opening half.
Julian Nagelsmann has a full complement of players to work with for the friendly. Only midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is out for six to eight weeks after recovering from knee surgery, is unavailable. Bayern also faces life without Robert Lewandowski, who signed with Barcelona, for the first time since the Polish ace arrived at the club in 2014.
Bayern signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool to help fill the goal-scoring void left by Lewandowski. The 30-year-old is set to make his Bayern debut in Washington, an exciting prospect for the Bavarian club. The Senegalese star won’t be able to completely make up for the massive goal-scoring gulf created by Lewandowski’s departure.
Some of that burden will fall on Serge Gnabry’s shoulders. The German international scored 15 goals in 34 appearances last season and will be expected to moderately ramp up production.
Usually, a team playing in their first pre-season match after a brief hiatus is prime for the taking. However, D.C. United’s form has been so poor they shouldn’t give Nagelsmann’s side too much trouble. Look for Bayern Munich to win by a pair, possibly 3-1.
Prediction: Bayern Munich -323
Over/Under analysis
An exhibition match between Bayern Munich and the most porous defense in the MLS almost demands getting behind the Over. Bayern will be excited about the prospect of getting their American tour started on the right foot, and they won’t be provided another opportunity to play a team so discernibly down on their luck.
Seven of D.C. United’s last 10 MLS matches resulted in the Over, including five of their recent seven home encounters. Rooney’s side have also conceded 19 goals in their last five, further evidence that an Over is on the cards.
Prediction: Over 2.5 (-233)
Best bet
Bayern Munich should be able to score a few goals against the worst defense in the MLS. It might take the German champions 20 minutes or so to find their groove, but an outpouring of goals should be inevitable.
Pair a Bayern Munich win with Over 2.5 goals to get elicit more value than a straight moneyline wager.
Pick: Bayern Munich to Win and Over 2.5 (-161)
