Bayern Munich entertain Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the reigning champions looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Bremen, meanwhile, have drawn four league matches in a row by the scoreline of 1-1.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since losing to Hoffenheim in late September, Hansi Flick's side have won 10 successive matches in all competitions.
The most recent of those came before the recent international break in the shape of a crucial 3-2 win over title rivals Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling encounter.
Erling Braut Haaland was guilty of missing several chances for Dortmund, with Robert Lewandowski displaying more clinical finishing. The Poland striker would have had a hat-trick were it not for VAR, with two of his three strikes disallowed for being marginally offside.
Marco Reus had given Dortmund the lead on the stroke of half time, before David Alaba's deflected free kick levelled proceedings heading into the break. Lewandowski and Leroy Sane took the game away from Dortmund before Haaland finally converted after rounding Manuel Neuer, but it proved to be too little, too late for the hosts in what could prove to be a decisive result come the end of the season.
© Reuters
After narrowly surviving relegation in a playoff with Heidenheim last season, Werder Bremen manager Florian Kohfeldt will be encouraged by the seven-point gap currently between his side and the relegation zone.
Indeed, Bremen have impressively remained unbeaten since losing to Hertha Berlin on the opening day of the season, rather curiously drawing their last four matches all by the scoreline of 1-1.
The most recent of those draws came prior to the international break at home to FC Koln. An insipid first half was most noteworthy for Koln goalkeeper Timo Horn's injury after a clash with Joshua Sargent, forcing the 27-year-old to be replaced by Ron-Robert Zieler.
Ondrej Duda's free kick was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bremen captain Niklas Moisander, before a clumsy handball saw Koln concede their fifth penalty of the season. Leonardo Bittencourt duly converted from the spot against his former club, with Sargent's tame header late in the match meaning both sides took home a point apiece.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga form: LWWWWW
Bayern Munich form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Werder Bremen Bundesliga form: WWDDDD
Team News
© Reuters
Perhaps the only blemish from the victory over Dortmund was Joshua Kimmich's meniscus injury, which will keep the midfielder out until the New Year.
Flick also remains without left-back Alphonso Davies due to the Canadian's torn ankle ligament, with Lucas Hernandez continuing to deputise in his position.
Kohfeldt will be disappointed to remain without top goalscorer Niclas Fullkrug due to a calf injury, but Milot Rashica should be fit to start once again having returned against Koln.
Milos Veljkovic will miss the trip to Munich with an abductor problem, so Omer Toprak should get the nod to start in the back three.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Sule, Alaba, Hernandez; Goretzka, Tolisso; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Toprak, Moisander, Friedl; Gebre Selassie, Eggestein, Gross, Mbom; Rashica, Bittencourt; Sargent
We say: Bayern Munich 3-0 Werder Bremen
We expect Bremen's unbeaten run to come to a crashing end at the Allianz Arena, with Bayern simply possessing too much quality for them to be able to handle.
Kimmich and Davies are undoubtedly big misses for the Bavarians, but their absences are likely to be felt more acutely in tougher fixtures.
