Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim meet at the Allianz Arena on Sunday in a top-three clash of the Bundesliga, with the champions looking to reassert themselves against one of the division’s form sides.
Vincent Kompany’s side lead the table with 51 points from 20 games, while Hoffenheim are third on 42 points.
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 8th February.
- Kick-off: 4:30pm BST.
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich.
Bayern Munich team news
Vincent Kompany’s side comes into the game close to full strength, with Konrad Laimer back available after a calf problem.
The Austrian was described as an option again for Sunday’s clash by his coach, who said in his press conference: “Everyone’s back. The lads are fit. The energy in training was top-notch. We also enjoyed the training week for once.”
Harry Kane has returned to full training after illness earlier in the week and is expected to lead the line, having scored 22 goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances and 37 in all competitions this season.
Manuel Neuer missed Friday’s session with a gastrointestinal infection, putting his involvement in doubt. Kompany is understood to be confident that his captain will still make the squad for Hoffenheim’s visit.
Hoffenheim team news
Hoffenheim have their own selection issues to navigate. Koki Machida faces a lengthy spell out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Midfielder Wouter Burger, a key figure in Ilzer’s midfield with four league goals this season, also picked up an ankle injury in that game and is unavailable “until further notice,” though the club are optimistic he will not be sidelined long term.
Earlier in the campaign, Adam Hlozek was ruled out with a serious ankle problem and full-back Valentin Gendrey also suffered an ankle injury, and both remain on the injury list heading into the trip to Munich.
Form
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s recent run has been patchy by their standards: they lost 2-1 to Augsburg, bounced back with a 2-1 away win at PSV Eindhoven in Europe, then drew 2-2 with Hamburger SV.
At home in the Bundesliga, however, Kompany’s side have won four of their last six, drawing one and losing one, scoring 23 and conceding eight in that period, while averaging 3.9 goals per game across their last ten matches in all competitions.
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim travel in excellent form, having won their last three league games: 3-1 away at Eintracht Frankfurt, 2-0 away at Werder Bremen and 3-1 at home to Union Berlin.
Christian Ilzer’s side have taken six wins from their last seven Bundesliga fixtures with the other one a draw and are described by the league’s official site as “currently the most in-form team in the Bundesliga,”. They have not lost in their last seven league matches.
Predicted lineups
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane
Hoffenheim: Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo; Toure, Avdullahu, Promel, Prass; Kramaric, Asllani
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim?
UK viewers can watch Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim live on Amazon Prime’s pay-per-view service.
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