Bayern Munich will host Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Sunday, and this will be a massive game in the context of the title race.
Bayern Munich and Union Berlin are currently level on points after 21 matches each. And they will be hoping to put clear daylight between themselves and their title rivals with a victory here.
The reigning champions have been quite poor in their recent outings, managing just two wins from their last six league matches. Bayern come into this game on the back of a defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach. And they will have to improve their performances to grind out all three points here.
Union Berlin, on the other hand, have picked up five wins and a draw from their last six league games. The last time these two sides met in the league, they played out a 1-1 draw. And it remains to be seen who comes out on top here.
🗣️ @J__Nagelsmann: "I'm expecting a high-class game. It's always tough to play Union because they give you such little space. It will be an exciting and interesting match, which we will hopefully win."#MiaSanMia #FCBFCU pic.twitter.com/X4o59ybz4K
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 24, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
The Bavarian giants will be without the services of Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer because of injuries. Dayot Upamecano is suspended after his red card against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Julian Nagelsmann is expected to field his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Yann Sommer in goal. Joao Cancelo and Alphonso Davies are likely to line up as the full-backs, and they will hope to provide creativity and width to the side. Benjamin Pavard will start alongside Matthijs de Ligt at the heart of the defence.
Joshua Kimmich will be deployed as the anchor, and he will look to break up the opposition’s play. Leon Goretzka will start alongside his compatriot as the box-to-box midfielder, aiming to add drive and energy in the middle of the park.
Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane will add pace and creativity from the wide areas. And Jamal Musiala will be deployed as the number ten here. Finally, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will lead the line for the hosts.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Cancelo, de Ligt, Pavard, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Choupo-Moting
Union Berlin
The visitors have just one injury heading into this contest. Andras Schafer is ruled out with a foot injury. The visitors are likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Frederik Ronnow in goal.
Paul Jaeckel, Diogo Leite and Robin Knoche are likely to be deployed in the back three. Josip Juranovic and Christopher Trimmel will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will hope to add width and creativity during transitions and hit the home side on the counter.
Janik Haberer, Aissa Laidouni and Rani Khedira will start in the middle of the park. And they will hope to provide defensive cover to the side and drive during transitions. Sheraldo Becker will partner with Jordan Siebatcheu in the attack for Union Berlin.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Ronnow; Jaeckel, Leite, Knoche; Juranovic, Haberer, Laidouni, Khedira, Trimmel; Becker, Siebatcheu
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich are undefeated in their last nine matches against Union Berlin in all competitions.
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Bayern Munich have scored at least two goals in their last three matches in the Bundesliga.
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Union Berlin are undefeated in their last six matches in the Bundesliga.
- Bayern Munich boast the league’s best defence, conceding only 21 goals. Union Berlin are next-best with 24.
- Only Oberhausen and Darmstadt (8 matches) have played Bayern Munich more times without ever winning than Union.
Player to Watch
Jamal Musiala
#OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣…@JamalMusiala became our youngest ever goalscorer in the @ChampionsLeague 💎#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/nfCz7MW4dp
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 23, 2023
The 19-year-old has been in fantastic form for Bayern Munich this season, and he has 14 goals across all competitions. He has picked up ten assists along the way as well. The talented youngster has the quality to open up the Union Berlin defence and the home side will need his creativity and flair in the final third.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-1 Union Berlin
The two sides will be desperate to pick up all three points here, and this is likely to be a close contest. Despite their inconsistent form in recent weeks, Bayern Munich are a force to be reckoned with, and they will certainly be the favourites heading into the game.
The win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League will have given them a morale boost and they should be able to edge this one. Union Berlin will put up a fight here, but The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for the home side.