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Title race leaders Bayern Munich take on third-placed Wolfsburg in an important clash in the Bundesliga. The Bavarians are currently five points clear at the top of the league, whereas the Wolves are looking to consolidate their position in one of the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
Following a period of tussle, during which they had to wrestle back control of the title race from RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich are on course to win another championship. The Bavarians have won the Bundesliga eight years in a row, and if nothing catastrophic happens in the next six weeks, they will make it nine.
While the name at the top of the German league table has remained consistent over the last eight years, those that follow have changed constantly. Each year three teams apart from Bayern Munich make it into one of the UEFA Champions League qualification spots, hoping to try their luck at a trophy on the continental stage. This year, one of those teams is Wolfsburg.
Oliver Glasner’s team is currently in the third position, eleven points behind the league leaders. While it may be too late for them to mount a serious title charge, they still have some work left to do to secure a spot in Europe’s premier competition next season. A 4-3 loss to UCL hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend was a reminder for Glasner’s side that though they may be third at the moment, the job is far from done. Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen remain in the hunt for the fourth UCL place, and will take advantage of any slip-ups.
Fortunately for Wolfsburg, they do have some room to breathe. Dortmund, who are in fifth place, are eight points behind them, Leverkusen further two away. Moreover, both the Champions League chasers have suffered from inconsistent spells of late, giving Wolfsburg and Frankfurt a chance to consolidate their position.
Nevertheless, Oliver Glasner will hope that his side continues to win their matches. The Wolves have been incredible at home this season and are unbeaten in thirteen league matches. However, Bayern Munich arrives at the den next, hoping to take maximum points for their title charge.
A draw against Union only deterred the Bavarians slightly. They remain on course for their ninth successive title and will do so should Leipzig fail to close the five-point gap in time. While they have had little trouble domestically this season, their next job could prove quite challenging. Glasner’s Wolves are no push-overs, and Bayern might arrive at the Volkswagen Arena without their lead hunter – Robert Lewandowski.
Key Players
Wout Weghorst. The tall Dutch forward is Wolfsburg’s battering ram in attack. Weghorst uses his physicality to dominate defenders and score goals. He has scored 18 times in the league this season and has provided eight assists. Bayern’s centre-backs will have to be wary of the Dutchman’s talents if they are to avoid any untimely slip-ups in the Bundesliga title race.
Ridle Baku. The German U-21 international has been one of the signings of the season in the Bundesliga. Baku joined Wolfsburg from Mainz in the summer as a right-back but has since been converted by Glasner into a more attacking player. The youngster plays on the wing for the Wolves and has eleven goal involvements in the league this season.
Thomas Muller. It is not yet known whether Lewandowski will be fit in time to face Wolfsburg. However, should the Pole continue his spell on the sideline, the attacking impetus will fall on Muller again. The German has transformed into more of a supplier than a scorer – evident by his 16 assists in the league this season. However, he does pop up with goals now and then and will hope to add to his ten league goals against the Wolves.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The Cameroonian forward has stepped up for Bayern in the absence of Lewandowski. While he may not be the same presence as the Polish striker, he does score goals. Choupo-Moting scored twice against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and will hope to add to his tally by doing the same in this match.
Prediction
Historically, the odds are heavily stacked against Wolfsburg ahead of this match. Bayern Munich like to prey on the Wolves, and their record against this particular opponent is extremely promising. Wolfsburg are without a win against the Bavarians in eleven Bundesliga games, ten of which they have lost. Moreover, the German champions have averaged more points per game against the Wolves than any other current Bundesliga side.
Bayern do visit the Volkswagen Arena at a time when they might be vulnerable. They are without some key players and are hurting after a midweek elimination from the UEFA Champions League – a competition they won last season. However, the Bavarians should still have enough in their tank to get a win on the night and thus break Wolfsburg’s long, unbeaten streak.
