Bayern Munich travel to the capital where they play Hertha Berlin on Saturday afternoon as they look to take their place once again at the top of the table ahead of Union Berlin’s game at Bayer Leverkusen 24 hours later.
In midweek, Bayern beat Inter Milan 2-0 in a meaningless game for both teams in the Champions League. Benjamin Pavard opened the scoring with a header in the first half before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting continued his great recent form. Last weekend Bayern also beat Mainz 6-2 at home in a game where Choupo-Moting once again shined for the Bavarians as there were six different scorers in the game for Bayern.
Hertha have only won two games this season against Schalke and Augsburg, both teams near them in the table, whilst they have drawn five and lost five this season with Sandro Schwarz gaining praise for the way the team plays. Last weekend, Hertha were on course for another draw against Werder Bremen, before Ole Werner’s side showed what they have been good at this season which is scoring late, as Niclas Füllkrug scored in the 85th minute to secure the three points for Bremen.
Once again Choupo-Moting will be the talk of the game going into the game, as he has stepped up since the international break and helped Bayern regain their form when questions were asked about whether they were missing Robert Lewandowski. The Cameroon international has helped the likes of Sadio Mane, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala all start to shine again due to his nature of player.
The big question injury wise for Bayern is with Manuel Neuer. The 36-year-old last played for Bayern against Borussia Dortmund as a shoulder injury has kept him out. Neuer ideally wants to play two Bundesliga games before the World Cup starts at the end of the month. Thomas Muller and Matthijs de Ligt are both out.
Bayern won both games quite convincingly last season, first winning 5-0 at home before then winning 4-1 at the Olympiastadion.
Predicted Line-ups:
Hertha Berlin:
Christensen – Kenny, Rogel, Kempf, Plattenhardt – Sunjic – Tousart, Serdar – Lukebakio, Kanga, Richter
Bayern Munich:
Neuer – Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Gnabry, Musiala, Mané – Choupo-Moting
GGFN | Jack Meenan
