Bayern Munich is on the hunt for the top spot as they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The teams last faced each other in September, with Bayern securing a 2-1 win at Borussia-Park thanks to second-half goals from Leroy Sane and Mathys Tel.
Match preview
Monchengladbach helped Bayern by drawing 0-0 with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. Shortly before, Thomas Tuchel’s team increased their chances of keeping the title with a 3-2 win over Augsburg.
Aleksandar Pavlovic scored his first goal for Bayern, followed by Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane, helping the champions earn three important points against their Bavarian rivals.
However, Bayern had a tough game as Augsburg’s Ermedin Demirovic scored twice in the second half, and Sven Michel missed a late penalty. Still, Tuchel’s team managed to win and now sits two points behind Leverkusen.
Before facing Leverkusen on February 10, Bayern focuses on their 112th Bundesliga match against Monchengladbach – a frequent fixture in the division’s history.
Bayern has struggled against Monchengladbach lately, with only one win in their last six meetings. They haven’t won their last two home games in this matchup and aim to avoid a third without a win.
Monchengladbach’s coach, Gerardo Seoane, sees positives in their recent draw with Leverkusen, but inconsistent results keep them in mid-table.
With just 21 points from 19 matches, this season marks their lowest points at this stage in 13 years. They haven’t won consecutive league games under Seoane, who took charge last July.
Sitting 12th, Monchengladbach isn’t near relegation but needs to improve to chase European football, being 10 points behind sixth place.
They are contenders in this season’s DFB-Pokal but must focus on their upcoming game against Bayern, where they’ve done well recently.
Monchengladbach has beaten Bayern more times than any other Bundesliga team and could move up with a win. However, away wins have been rare, with only one victory in nine away games.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:
W W W L W W
Bayern Munich form (all competitions):
W D W L W W
Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form:
L D L W L D
Team News
Bayern’s Kingsley Coman is out with a knee injury, adding to a long list of injured players including Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Kim Min-jae is still with South Korea at the Asian Cup, but Noussair Mazraoui is back after Morocco’s exit. He competes with new signing Sacha Boey for a start.
Pavlovic might stay in midfield, with Raphael Guerreiro possibly moving there to join Leon Goretzka. Thomas Muller could replace Coman in attack.
Monchengladbach’s Tomas Cvancara, Jonas Omlin, and Lukas Ullrich are injured, while Ko Itakura is at the Asian Cup.
Patrick Herrmann is doubtful, but Maximilian Wober should return, joining Joe Scally and Nico Elvedi in defense.
Rocco Reitz, back from injury, aims to start in midfield with Julian Weigl and Manu Kone.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer;
Boey, Dier, De Ligt, Davies;
Goretzka, Guerreiro;
Musiala, Muller, Sane;
Kane
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas;
Scally, Elvedi, Wober;
Honorat, Reitz, Weigl, Kone, Netz;
Siebatcheu, Plea
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Bayern Munich, nearly unbeatable at home except for a loss to Werder Bremen, are the favorites this weekend.
Borussia Monchengladbach has been successful against Bayern recently, but Tuchel’s team is likely to secure a win despite several injuries.
