Verdict: Away win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
Germany’s top league continues this weekend for yet another massive round of games. While some have cited that the Bundesliga is lagging behind with regard to competition when comparing it to the Premier League, this season has seen the competition taken to a whole new level with the European places and relegation zone incredibly tight. With this in mind, leaders Bayern Munich travel to play Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg have been struggling massively this season as their campaign is threatening to descend into chaos as the relegation zone creeps ever closer. After 22 games they have only won four times, while they have drawn 12 games and lost six. Saturday’s hosts have only accumulated 24 points this season and they are just four points clear of danger with their efforts this season not good enough. Their problems are clear as they have been weak across the park. They have conceded 28 times this campaign which is not overly poor, but when put into context alongside the fact they have only managed to net 25 times, it has not been good enough. Their inability to score has seen them draw far too often as they have been forced to share the points 12 times this season, the most in the league. Going forward, they have three goalscorers tied at the top, with Daniel Didavi, Yunus Malli and Divock Origi all scoring five times each. Other than that, few players have been able to chip in with a consistent contribution, while there is no out-and-out goalscorer in the team, with their lack of a 20+ goals a season striker hurting them massively. Fortunately for Wolfsburg, there are a number of teams that are also struggling this season, but this does not mean that they can rest on their laurels. A few games in which they fall to defeat could see the side slide into the relegation zone.
Team news
Wolfsburg’s placement in the table is about as worrying as their current injury crisis. Ignacio Camacho, Jakub Blaszczykowski, John Anthony Brook, Marcel Tisserand, Yannick Gerhardt and Ohis Felix Udoukhai are all unavailable for their crunch match with Bayern.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have been superb this season and they are once again dominating the league. After 22 games they have been able to win 18 times, while they have drawn twice and lost twice. Going forward they have been fantastic as they have hit the net 53 times. Thomas Muller and Arturo Vidal have netted six times, while Corentin Tolisso (five), Kingsley Coman and James Rodriguez (both four) have chipped in as well, but Robert Lewandowski has scored the majority of their goals, hitting the back of the net 22 times in all competitions. At the back they have conceded just 17 goals, with Frankfurt having the second-best defence, conceding 25 times. For Bayern, it is proving to once again be a season in which they are walking to the title following an uncharacteristic wobble at the beginning of the campaign. The league leaders will be incredibly pleased with their current advantage as it allows them to focus more on the Champions League as they look to return to the summit of European competition once again. With their current lead, Bayern could lose their next five games in a row and still hold a three-point lead over RB Leipzig in second if they were to win all of their games.
Team news
Manuel Neuer continues his time out as he recovers from a metatarsal injury, while manager Jupp Heynckes returns after missing their last match due to illness.
Key Factors
In the history between the two sides, Wolfsburg have only won five times, drawing six, and losing the other 37.
Robert Lewandowski is the league’s top goalscorer with 19, while Wolfsburg’s top scorers have netted five times each (Origi, Malli and Didavi).
Lewandowski will be looking forward to playing Wolfsburg as he scored an outrageous five goals in nine minutes against them two years ago.
Bayern Munich currently have an 18 point lead over second-placed RB Leipzig, while Wolfsburg are just four points clear of danger.
The visitors have netted 53 goals this season, the most in the league, while Wolfsburg have scored less than half of this (25).
Conclusion
Wolfsburg will battle hard in the game and will stay incredibly tight, but the scoring power of Bayern will surely prove to be too much. Lewandowski will likely add to his goal tally if he plays, while James Rodriguez could play an integral part in breaking down a Wolfsburg defence that will pack men behind the ball.
Verdict: Away win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Bet365
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