Bundesliga – Match Preview – FC Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg

Bundesliga – Match Preview – FC Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg

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Bayern Munich will look to build on their perfect start to the Bundesliga season when they host Wolfsburg on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena.

Wolfsburg will be hoping to build on their 2-0 victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday which left them 3rd, four points behind their hosts. Bayern Munich maintained their 100% record this season with a dominant 3-0 win away at SV Darmstadt on Saturday night thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal, Kingsley Coman and Sebastian Rode. That result kept them second in the Bundesliga behind free-scoring Borussia Dortmund and four points ahead of their opponents on Tuesday.

VfL Wolfsburg had somewhat less of a routine game against Hertha Berlin as it took 2 goals from substitue Bas Dost in the second half to see off the visitors. Thanks to that victory, Wolfsburg have been able to keep up their impressive start to the Bundesliga campaign during which they have picked up three wins and two draws. The contest on Tuesday takes on even more intrigue as it contains two of this season’s undefeated sides.

Key Battle – Juan Bernat vs Daniel Caligiuri

Juan Bernat will certainly have his hands full when he comes up against Daniel Caligiuri. Caligiuri is coming off of an influential performance against Hertha Berlin during which he provided the assist for Dost’s first of two goals on the day. That performance will give him plenty of confidence when he comes up against Bernat who has struggled to establish himself as a solid and confident left-back this season. Bernat’s performances against Olympiacos, in the Champions League, and Darmstadt will give Caligiuri plenty of confidence as the defender was caught out on a couple of occasions when one-on-one. The return to fitness of Javi Martinez may see David Alaba return to left-back in the coming weeks so the pressure is on Bernat to prove himself.

Team News

Pep Guardiola will be delighted to have Javi Martinez back following a spell on the sidelines with injury. However, the Bavarian club will remain without Arjen Robben (Adductor), Mehdi Benatia (Thigh), Franck Ribery (Periostitis), and Jan Kirchhoff (Achilles). Guardiola will also have to stress over the fitness of Robert Lewnadowski after he picked up a knock on Thursday.

As for Wednesday, Guardiola is likely to ring in the changes from Darmstadt with Alonso, Muller and Lahm all expected to be restored to the XI. As well as that, Guardiola may give a start to Rode after his impressive outing against Darmstadt with Thiago possibly making way.

Bayern Munich Expected XI (4-3-3): Neuer; Lahm – Boateng – Alaba – Bernat; Vidal – Xabi Alonso – Rode; Costa – Muller – Coman.

Dieter Hecking will be without Luis Gustavo after the Brazilian picked up a knock on Saturday. As well as that, Wolfsburg will be without Koen Casteels (Toe), Vierinha (Thigh) and Felipe Lopes (Heart Issues).

However, Hecking’s biggest decision to make is who plays up top. Bas Dost’s two goals against Hertha Berlin could see him start up top but Hecking may also elect to play him up front alongside Bendtner. As well as that, the injury to Gustavo means that Hecking will have work to do in midfield.

VfL Wolfsburg Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Benaglia; Trasch – Naldo – Dante – Rodriguez; Klose – Guilavogui; Caligiuri – Draxler – Schurrle – Bas Dost.

Last Meeting

Pep Guardiola will not want to remember the last time Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg met in the Bundesliga as it was a 4-1 win in favour of Hecking’s side back in January. On that occasion, two goals each from Bas Dost and Kevin de Bruyne (now at Manchester City) saw Wolfsburg dominate Bayern who got a goal themselves through Juan Bernat. Unfortunately for Hecking, with de Bruyne having left for the Premier League, he will need Draxler and Schurrle to be on top form if they are to repeat that feat.

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Prediction

Tuesday’s match is one which is very tough to call. Both sides have very good players with Bayern possessing the likes of Muller, Alonso, Vidal, Costa and Gotze. On the other hand, Wolfsburg have quality players such as Bas Dost, Andre Schurrle and Julian Draxler who can cause a lot of problems for the Bayern back line. The key to this clash may lie in midfield and, in particular, the battle between Caligiuri and Bernat out wide. Defensively, both sides have identical records (two goals conceded) while Bayern have been superior going forward so far this season (15 goals scored to Wolfsburg’s eight).

As for the result, no matter what the scoreline, it will be a very tight game. Bayern will dominate possession as they always do which means that Wolfsburg’s success will be dependent on how productive they can be on the break. However, with the injury to Luis Gustavo and the effect that it will have on the Wolfsburg midfield, Bayern should walk away with a very valuable 3 points.

FC Bayern Munich 2 VFL Wolfsburg 1

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