Prediction: Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin

Verdict: Bayern Munich win to nil

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Facing what is a must-win Bundesliga showdown on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich will welcome Union Berlin to the Allianz.

Bayern Munich

Starting with the hosts, while Bayern Munich might have eventually made more Bundesliga history last season, the German giants are facing a real uphill battle this time around. Opening the midweek fixtures sat seven points adrift of a high-flying Bayer Leverkusen, Thomas Tuchel’s side face what is a crucial showdown on Wednesday night. Putting in a toothless performance over the weekend as they eventually slumped to a shock 1-0 loss at home against Werder Bremen, the former Chelsea boss could have some mounting pressure on his shoulders at the Allianz. Suffering just a second Bundesliga defeat of the season, Bayern should at least be smelling a golden opportunity here. Storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp when they welcomed Union Berlin to Munich 11 months ago, Tuchel will certainly be demanding a repeat performance in midweek.

Team News

Away with South Korea at this month’s Asia Cup, Bayern Munich will once again be without the services of defensive talisman Min-Jae Kim on Wednesday night. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Tuchel will be without the likes of Bouna Sarr, Tarek Buchmann and former Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry here.

Breaking a string of records since arriving from Tottenham last summer and notching 22 Bundesliga strikes this season, England skipper Harry Kane will spearhead Bayern’s charge in midweek. Despite continued links over a move away from the Allianz this month, Matthijs de Ligt will keep his spot at the heart of Tuchel’s defence.

Union Berlin

As for the visitors, while Union Berlin might have snatched a famous Champions League ticket last season, the Irons Ones are enduring a public Bundesliga crisis this time around. Opening the midweek fixtures holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the relegation play-off spot, Nenad Bjelica has a real job on his hands in 2024. Although Wednesday’s guests might have been last seen opening the New Year with a 0-0 stalemate away at Freiburg, the Reds have won just a quartet of their 16 top-flight appearances this season. Knowing that they will face a huge challenge at the Allianz in midweek, the former Dinamo Zagreb boss will have a massive headache over his side’s continued struggles on the road. Including a woeful 3-0 drumming at the hands of Bochum last month, Union Berlin have remarkably failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous 11 straight away fixtures across all competitions.

Team News

Away with Tunisia at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Union Berlin will travel to the Allianz on Wednesday night without 27-year-old midfielder Aissa Laidouni. Likewise, dealing with a recent calf injury and missing out away at Freiburg last week, former Augsburg midfielder Rani Khedira is once again seen as a major doubt here.

Although ex-Monaco striker Kevin Volland might have bagged just a pair of strikes in his 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, the German international should lead Berlin’s charge. Despite struggling to find much stability this season, Leeds loanee Brenden Aaronson should feature in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Bayern Munich and Union Berlin last met 11 months ago, Tuchel’s side collected a 3-0 victory at the Allianz.
• Munich’s 1-0 loss against Werder Bremen over the weekend was just their second Bundesliga defeat of the season.
• Union Berlin have failed to muster a single victory from any of their previous 11 straight away fixtures across all competitions.
• England international Harry Kane has notched 22 Bundesliga strikes in his 17 appearances this season.
• The Irons Ones have bagged just a single goal in any of their previous four appearances away from the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

Conclusion

Slumping to that shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Werder Bremen over the weekend, it is no secret that Bayern Munich are in desperate need of an immediate response. Opening Wednesday’s showdown at the Allianz sat seven points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel’s men should be smelling a real opportunity. Storming their way to a routine 3-0 victory when they welcomed Union Berlin to the Allianz 11 months ago, we are expecting Bayern to get their title charge back on track in midweek.

Verdict: Bayern Munich win to nil

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet