Salzburg and Bayern Munich go head-to-head in a mid-season Club Friendly on Tuesday.
Both sides will be searching for a positive start to 2026, with the visitors looking to maintain their excellent momentum ahead of the Bundesliga restart.
Salzburg vs Bayern Munich – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 6th January.
- Kick-off: 2pm BST.
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Wals-Siezenheim.
Salzburg team news
Salzburg boss Thomas Letsch has a number of injury concerns to contend with. Midfielders Takumu Kawamura and Maurits Kjaergaard remain sidelined with long-term issues, while Lucas Gourna-Douath is not expected back until mid-January.
Defensive prospect John Mellberg is also out, while there are fitness doubts over Jannik Schuster and Sota Kitano. Former Bayern Munich youth talent Frans Krätzig, who joined Salzburg this summer from Heidenheim, is ready to face the German giants and is expected to start at left-back. Petar Ratkov, who has netted nine league goals this season, will lead the line.
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern Munich have travelled without several key stars. Joshua Kimmich has picked up an ankle problem and stayed in Munich, while Nicolas Jackson is away on international duty at AFCON. Alphonso Davies is a major doubt after missing training with an illness, and right-back Sacha Boey is also unwell.
However, there is positive news for Vincent Kompany’s side. Manuel Neuer has returned to full training after a muscle injury, though Jonas Urbig is tipped to start in goal to ensure the veteran is fresh for the Bundesliga restart. Hiroki Ito is available again after a long layoff and could feature in defence.
Form
Salzburg
The Austrian champions are still doing well in the domestic league, but they struggled in Europe, where they lost five out of the six matches played this season. They went into the winter break off the back of a 2-1 victory over Wolfsberger AC, but that win was preceded by a 1-0 loss to Freiburg. They currently sit atop the Austrian Bundesliga title race and will be hoping to showcase a strong showing against the European giants.
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany’s side have been imperious in the 2025/26 campaign. They remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga with 13 wins and 2 draws from 15 games, sitting comfortably at the top of the table. They closed out 2025 with a 4-0 thrashing of Heidenheim and a 3-1 Champions League victory over Sporting CP, demonstrating their fine form in front of goal.
Predicted lineups
Salzburg: Schlager; Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Krätzig; Diabaté, Bidstrup; Baidoo, Yeo, Alajbegovic; Ratkov.
Bayern Munich: Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Guerreiro; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Olise, Karl, Diaz; Kane.
How to watch Salzburg vs Bayern Munich?
Fans across the globe can watch the game live on FC Bayern TV PLUS, which holds the exclusive rights to stream the fixture internationally.
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