The league leaders Bayern Munich, winless in three consecutive Bundesliga matches, travel to the Volkswagen Arena to face seventh-placed Wolfsburg on Sunday at 16:30 GMT.
Julian Nagelsmann and his men will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after three consecutive draws as they look to maintain the top spot in the Bundesliga.
Wolfsburg’s Niko Kovač will be looking to get his charges fired up for the clash with Bayern as they look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat away to Werder last Saturday.
Key Highlights
Wolfsburg’s Good Form
Before the 2-1 reverse at Werder, Niko Kovač’s Wolfsburg had won four consecutive matches in the Bundesliga.
This flying run of form has seen Wolfsburg surge up the table to seventh, just 5 points behind fourth-placed Dortmund. Niko Kovač will focus on returning his side to fine nick as they host the league leaders on Sunday.
The gaffer will prepare his side mentally and tactically to face a very good Bayern side that has been improved by the signing of Joao Cancelo from Manchester City in the just-closed January transfer window.
Bayern’s Faltering Form
The defending champions have been faltering lately; they have dropped 6 points in their last three matches.
This run has seen their gap to second-placed Union Berlin drop to just a solitary point. Julian Nagelsmann will be looking to guide his side back to winning ways as they seek to regain their relentless form and bolster their chances of winning the Bundesliga for an unprecedented 11th consecutive time.
Nagelsmann will take comfort in the fact that Bayern have lost just once throughout the season. However, they have had a joint league-high 7 draws. Therefore the Bavarians have to work on their consistency ahead of an awkward–looking clash with Wolfsburg on Sunday.
Injury Report
Wolfsburg
Niko Kovač will be without the services of Lukas Nmecha. The center-forward ruptured his patella on November 9th, 2022. The 24-year-old has missed 5 matches so far, and the club has set no return date.
Apart from Nmecha, Niko Kovač will have the full complement of the squad from which to choose the team for the home match against the champions on Sunday.
Bayern
Lucas Hernandez is a doubt with a cruciate ligament rupture. The 26-year-old is recovering from the injury, but the clash on Sunday will come too soon for him.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is recovering from a fracture of the lower leg. The German international has been sidelined since December 10th and is expected to return in the last week of June.
Nagelsmann will also be without left winger Sadio Mane, who has been nursing an inflamed head of fibula since November 9th.
Bayern will also be without central midfielder Leon Goretzka (thigh problems) and right-back Noussair Mazraoui (inflammation).
Possible Lineups
Wolfsburg
P. Pervan; M. van de Ven, J. Guilavogul, M. Lacroix; M. Arnold; Y. Gerhardt, M. Svnberg, P. Otavio, R. Baku; L. Waldschmidt, O. Marmoush
Bayern
Y. Sommer; J. Stanisic, D. Upamecano, M. de Ligt, A. Davies; J. Kimmich; L. Sane, T. Muller, J. Musiala, K. Coman; E. Choupo-Moting
Prediction
Wolfsburg will focus on their shape, discipline, and organization in the clash against Bayern. The organization and solidity will be crucial in containing the Bayern attack and forming a platform for Wolfsburg to attack the game and pose problems for the Bayern defense.
Bayern will want to play on the front foot against Wolfsburg on Sunday. They will press high and win the ball back through the counter-press when they lose it. They will control the tempo and possession of the ball and use this dominance to create chances.
Bayern will bounce back to winning ways by overcoming Wolfsburg in this match and retain their position at the top of the Bundesliga.
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