Mid-table Heidenheim play host to faltering defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at the Voith-Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Bayern Munich, who face Heidenheim this weekend, hit a new low this season on Saturday. The Bavarian outfit lost 2-0 to arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena, as goals from Karim Adeyemi and Julian Ryerson sunk the Bavarian faithful in despair.
Fans did not anticipate this kind of result after thrashing Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the reverse fixture at Signal Iduna Park during the Hinrunde. However, Thomas Tuchel’s side seemed off the pace for the majority of the game, particularly out of possession.
Second-placed Bayern now trail Bayer Leverkusen by 13 points, with only seven games remaining. So, an almighty capitulation will be required if Xabi Alonso’s side are to throw away the title from here. After the defeat in Der Klassiker, a trip to minnows Heidenheim awaits, and Bayern Munich will also have one eye on their Champions League trip to Arsenal in midweek.
Recently-promoted Heidenheim have not won in six games but still look set for a very respectable mid-table finish, as they find themselves in eleventh place heading into the fixture. There is still an opportunity to make a late run for Europe, with only six points separating them from seventh-placed Augsburg.
Those prospects of a first-ever European appearance took a hit last weekend, though, as Stuttgart denied them a huge three points late on in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Another thriller could be on the cards here after the two sides produced a six-goal show when Bayern Munich beat Heidenheim 4-2 in November, with Harry Kane bagging a brace.
Team News & Tactics
Heidenheim
Nikola Dovedan is suspended for two games after being sent off against VfB Stuttgart, while Thomas Keller has suffered an ACL injury. Adrian Beck and Elidon Qenaj also remain on the sidelines for the hosts with injuries.
Left-winger Jan-Niklas Beste, who has contributed to 15 league goals in his debut top-flight season, shrugged off a groin issue to start against Stuttgart and also bagged an assist. After last week’s brace, Heidenheim striker Tim Kleindienst is just one away from hitting double digits in the top flight for the first time after firing 25 in the second-tier last season.
Eren Dinkci is arguably Heidenheim’s most important player, with a total of eight goals and three assists in 26 matches this season. His impressive scoring efficiency and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates have been remarkable.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Schoppner, Theuerkauf, Pieringer; Dinkci, Kleindienst, Beste
Bayern Munich
Sacha Boey remains sidelined, with fellow right-back Noussair Mazraoui still recovering from illness. No. 1 Manuel Neuer and utility man Raphael Guerreiro could be rested here as head coach Thomas Tuchel looks to ensure his key stars are fit and firing to face the Gunners on Tuesday.
Despite a poor team performance against Borussia Dortmund, it was not all doom and gloom for Bayern Munich. Whilst the back-four collectively failed to properly deal with Dortmund’s counter-attacks, Joshua Kimmich gave an impressive performance at right-back, particularly in the attacking third of the field.
Kimmich’s recent return to the right-back position seems to be working out well for both Bayern Munich and the German national team. So, he could once again lineup on the right side of defence. Leon Goretzka once again looked accomplished in midfield alongside Konrad Laimer, playing as a hybrid between a number six and auxiliary left-back, with Alphonso Davies serving as the marauding attacking presence.
Leroy Sane’s lack of form during the second-half of the Bundesliga season continued against Dortmund on Saturday. With the Bundesliga title now realistically out of reach, ahead of the Champions League clash away to Arsenal, the next game in the Bundesliga against Heidenheim may be the right time to try someone else on the right side, probably Mathys Tel.
Serge Gnabry will take charge as the attacking midfielder, with Kingley Coman taking charge on the left flank. Meanwhile, star striker Harry Kane will continue to lead the line for Bayern Munich against Heidenheim.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Kimmich, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Tel, Gnabry, Coman; Kane
Key Stats
- Six of Heidenheim’s last seven Bundesliga fixtures produced goals at both ends.
- FC Heidenheim have failed to win their last six Bundesliga matches.
- Heidenheim have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven home league games.
- Bayern Munich have conceded in their last nine league games.
- Bayern Munich rank first in the Bundesliga offensively, averaging 2.9 goals per game.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
Despite Bayern Munich suffering a serious slump in form, there has been no sign of Harry Kane slowing down, with the target being found 37 times across all competitions so far. He has also registered 12 assists, which showcases his playmaking prowess.
With 31 goals in his first 27 Bundesliga games, the England international has set records tumbling at Bayern Munich and is being backed to chase down legendary former Bayern No. 9 Robert Lewandowski’s single-season best mark of 41 strikes.
Prediction
Heidenheim 1-2 Bayern Munich
Although Bayern Munich have faced difficulty on the road at times this season, they should still have enough firepower to overcome Heidenheim, who have little to play for at this stage of the Bundesliga season.
It is also an opportunity to reinstate some confidence and remind both themselves and their fans that they still boast a quality squad and stand a shot at UEFA Champions League glory, a feat that would no doubt save their season.
