Two giants collide on Saturday in a game which could be of historic proportions.
FC Bayern München will look to become the first ever Bundesliga champions to be crowned in March when they take on Hamburger SV. However, as was so often the case last season, their fate lies in the hands of Borussia Dortmund at least until next week. Provided that Stuttgart manages to hold Dortmund or beat Dortmund, Bayern can win the title if they beat the dinosaurs of the Bundesliga.
Last season, it was Stuttgart who opened up the title race by holding the reigning champions to a 4-4 draw. Stuttgart has not lost to Dortmund in their three previous meetings. All three have ended in exciting draws. Bayern will come into this one with a wealth of options to choose from. Thomas Müller hopes that Bayern can avoid a possible last minute collapse unlike last season.
Holger Badstuber continues to be out for Bayern. There is a slight question mark over Toni Kroos who missed both of Germany’s matches in the previous two weeks. Claudio Pizarro might be jaded after a long trip to Germany. Mario Gomez, who missed the internationals with a thigh problem, should be fit for this one.
In the reverse fixture, Hamburger SV was absolutely hammered. They started the match well but let Bayern in late in the first half. That late goal by Bastian Schweinsteiger allowed Bayern to open up in the second. That second half display was one of the most magnificent ones that Bayern has put in this season. Thomas Müller scored what can be considered the goal of the season by chipping over Rene Adler while Toni Kroos blasted the third into the net from a nearly improbable angle.
HSV’s Marcell Jansen and Maximilian Beister are suspended. Marcus Berg, Zhi Gin Lam and Ivo Ilicevic are out injured. Michael Mancienne is not fit for this one. Jansen’s absence could hurt the former Bayern man, Thorsten Fink’s side quite a bit. For Bayern, considering that a midweek match against Juventus awaits, Javier Martinez might be left on the bench to allow Luiz Gustavo and Schweinsteiger to partner up. Martinez is suspended for the midweek match.
HSV played defensively in the first encounter but lost their shape in the second half. Bayern will look to press and hassle the opposition into losing the ball. HSV will play on the counterattack. Thorsten Fink will hope to delay the parties of his former club. Bayern will want to march on and secure the title ahead of the midweek clash.
Even if the title is secured, there will be no party in Bavaria according to Karl Heinz Rummenigge. The season is not over yet. There is a long way to go.
Prediction: FC Bayern 1-1 HSV
Last season, it was Stuttgart who opened up the title race by holding the reigning champions to a 4-4 draw. Stuttgart has not lost to Dortmund in their three previous meetings. All three have ended in exciting draws. Bayern will come into this one with a wealth of options to choose from. Thomas Müller hopes that Bayern can avoid a possible last minute collapse unlike last season.
Holger Badstuber continues to be out for Bayern. There is a slight question mark over Toni Kroos who missed both of Germany’s matches in the previous two weeks. Claudio Pizarro might be jaded after a long trip to Germany. Mario Gomez, who missed the internationals with a thigh problem, should be fit for this one.
In the reverse fixture, Hamburger SV was absolutely hammered. They started the match well but let Bayern in late in the first half. That late goal by Bastian Schweinsteiger allowed Bayern to open up in the second. That second half display was one of the most magnificent ones that Bayern has put in this season. Thomas Müller scored what can be considered the goal of the season by chipping over Rene Adler while Toni Kroos blasted the third into the net from a nearly improbable angle.
HSV’s Marcell Jansen and Maximilian Beister are suspended. Marcus Berg, Zhi Gin Lam and Ivo Ilicevic are out injured. Michael Mancienne is not fit for this one. Jansen’s absence could hurt the former Bayern man, Thorsten Fink’s side quite a bit. For Bayern, considering that a midweek match against Juventus awaits, Javier Martinez might be left on the bench to allow Luiz Gustavo and Schweinsteiger to partner up. Martinez is suspended for the midweek match.
HSV played defensively in the first encounter but lost their shape in the second half. Bayern will look to press and hassle the opposition into losing the ball. HSV will play on the counterattack. Thorsten Fink will hope to delay the parties of his former club. Bayern will want to march on and secure the title ahead of the midweek clash.
Even if the title is secured, there will be no party in Bavaria according to Karl Heinz Rummenigge. The season is not over yet. There is a long way to go.
Prediction: FC Bayern 1-1 HSV
