Verdict: Bayern Munich to score over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to make an opening weekend statement on the Bundesliga return this weekend, Bayern Munich will welcome Hertha BSC to the Allianz Arena on Friday night.
Bayern Munich
Starting with the hosts, although a star-studded Bayern Munich side may have managed to pick up a 3-1 win away at Energie Cottbus in the opening round of this year’s DFB Pokal, the defending Bundesliga champions have endured an inconsistent summer. Including suffering a penalties defeat against Tottenham in an Audi Cup they hosted at the Allianz Arena last month, Niko Kovač’s side also struggled in their surprise 2-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup last week. Eventually holding just a two-point buffer over their bitter rivals in the race to clinch their 7th consecutive domestic crown, a huge part of their second-half revival last season came down to their free-scoring antics on home soil. Securing a thumping 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in their final appearance of the 2018/2019 campaign, The Bavarians won each of their final eight Bundesliga matches at the Allianz Arena and scored three or more goals in six of those contests.
Team News
Bayern secured the loan signing of Inter forward Ivan Perisic in the week and the Croat will be available to play should Kovac request his services.
Hertha BSC
As for the visitors, after enduring a very worrying end to the 2018/2019 season and managing to record just two victories in their final 10 Bundesliga matches, Hertha have promoted new Head Coach Ante Čović from the reserves this summer. Having to settle for a bottom-half finish in the final standings last year, The Old Lady have shown some real improvements during pre-season and the mood in their camp should be on a high. Putting five past Eichstätt in the first round of this year’s DFB Pokal, Hertha also managed to secure a very eye-catching 4-0 win over Premier League outfit Crystal Palace a fortnight ago. Despite managing to bag 12 goals in just their last three appearances, Friday’s guests have been frequently unable to come away with a clean sheet, something that is becoming a growing concern for Čović. Shipping five against West Ham in their penultimate pre-season appearance, Hertha have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their last eight matches across all competitions.
Team News
Hertha have no injury concerns ahead of their Bundesliga opener in Munich on Friday.
Key Factors to Consider
- Hertha Berlin have never won an away match against Bayern Munich.
- Robert Lewandowski bagged 22 Bundesliga goals last season.
- The guests have recorded just one clean sheet in their last eight matches across all competitions.
- The Bavarians won each of their final eight Bundesliga matches at the Allianz Arena last season.
- Hertha won just two of their last 10 Bundesliga matches last season.
Conclusion
While Bayern Munich might still be feeling the effects after their Super cup defeat against Dortmund last time out, the defending Bundesliga champions will be looking to lay down an early marker. With a squad glittering with attacking talent, including Robert Lewandowski who reclaimed his Golden Boot last season, Friday’s hosts will be confident of coming away with a routine victory against a Hertha side who have never picked up an away victory at the Allianz Arena.
Verdict: Bayern Munich to score over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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