Bayern München have the Bundesliga title within their grasp when they host Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on Saturday. A win for the reigning champions, coupled with any dropped points by Bayer Leverkusen against Augsburg, will seal the crown for Vincent Kompany’s side.
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Bayern München
Top of the table with 72 points, eight ahead of Leverkusen, Bayern delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Heidenheim last time out, flexing their attacking muscles with three first-half goals and six big chances created.
Kompany’s side have found the net 15 times in their last six games, though defensive frailties persist, with just one clean sheet in their past seven. Their recent form is patchy, just one win from their last four in all competitions, and their home record has dipped, with just one win in their last four matches at Allianz Arena after a previously dominant run.
Bayern were beaten 2-1 by Mainz in the reverse fixture back in December, but they had won the previous three meetings comfortably (4-0, 8-1, and 3-1), and will be confident of reasserting their dominance at home.
Team News
The Bavarians are dealing with several key injuries, including defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito, who are all sidelined. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is also a doubt, and if deemed unfit, Jonas Urbig will start in his place.
In defence, Kompany is expected to give starts to Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, and Josip Stanisic. Raphael Guerreiro is a doubt, and if he’s not fit to play, Kim Min-jae could start in his place despite ongoing Achilles tendon problems.
Attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala may not feature again this season, so Thomas Müller is expected to join Michael Olise, Leroy Sane and Harry Kane in a dynamic forward line.
Mainz 05
Mainz arrive in München desperate to keep pace in the race for Europe. Currently sixth with 47 points, they are two behind fourth-placed Leipzig and only two ahead of both Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen.
However, Bo Henriksen’s side are winless in five games, drawing three and losing twice. Their latest result, a 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg, showed both promise and fragility, as they gave up goals in the opening minutes and right before the final whistle.
The visitors have conceded 10 times in their last five and haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven. They’ve also lost their last two on the road, after previously winning three straight away fixtures.
Team News
Henriksen will have to do without centre-backs Maxim Leitsch and Moritz Jenz, who are sidelined through injury. As a result, Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr are expected to form a makeshift central defence. In midfield, Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri are likely to feature as a double pivot. Up front, Jonathan Burkardt should lead the line, supported by Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee in the attacking third.
