Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have the opportunity to temporarily increase the gap to second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to nine points when they host Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on Friday.
The home side have 51 points and narrowly beat relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel 4-3 in the league on February 1, while Werder Bremen emerged as 1-0 winners against Mainz 05 on January 31 and are eighth with 30 points, just three fewer than fourth-placed RB Leipzig.
Match preview
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To Bayern's credit, they were winning 4-0 when Holstein Kiel managed to net their first in the 62nd minute, and the final result did not reflect the victors' dominance considering Steven Skrzybski scored twice in second-half stoppage time.
Vincent Kompany may be concerned by his team's defensive displays in recent weeks given his side have now conceded 10 goals in their past five outings in all competitions.
However, the Bavarians have proven to be exceptional in the final third this campaign, scoring 62 goals in just 20 league matches, and they are on track to find the back of the net 105 times, more than any league season since 1964-65.
Though the hosts are first in the top flight, Kompany has come under pressure for his team's performances in Europe, with the club needing to win a playoff tie against Celtic to advance to the Champions League round of 16 this month.
Despite being somewhat more vulnerable defensively of late, Bayern have still won seven of their last eight games, triumphed in their past six Bundesliga fixtures and beat Werder Bremen 5-0 on September 21.
The Bavarians have only been defeated once in 20 matches at Allianz Arena – winning 17 and drawing two – and have won each of their last six at home.
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Though opponents Werder Bremen beat Mainz last time out, the win was overshadowed by their two red cards, with centre-backs Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl dismissed in second-half stoppage time after receiving second yellows.
Manager Ole Werner was also sent off, but he will be pleased by his side's performance given they created four big chances compared to Mainz's one.
The Green-Whites' victory saw them keep their first clean sheet in six games, but their record of 36 goals conceded in the Bundesliga is the joint-worst among teams in the top 14.
Werner's side have struggled for wins in recent weeks considering they lost two and drew two of the four games prior to their victory against Mainz.
The visitors' form on the road is mixed, with the team losing three, drawing one and winning two of their past six away fixtures.
Team News
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Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies signed a new contract on Tuesday, ending speculation that he could join Real Madrid in the summer, but he is expected to be sidelined until March due to a hamstring injury.
Raphael Guerreiro is likely to start on the left side of defence, and he may flank centre-backs Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae considering Hiroki Ito is injured.
Striker Harry Kane is certain to start up front, and he could be supported by a forward line consisting of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman.
As for Werder Bremen, they may field a back three featuring Amos Pieper, Milos Veljkovic and Anthony Jung given Julian Malatini has been ruled out.
Midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt is not likely to appear in the starting lineup until March, so perhaps Jens Stage and Senne Lynen will play on Friday.
Andre Silva was signed on loan from RB Leipzig in the January window, and he could start up front considering Keke Topp is out due to an ankle injury.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Palhinha; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Pieper, Veljkovic, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Kabore; Schmid, Ducksch; Silva
We say: Bayern Munich 5-1 Werder Bremen
It is difficult to see Werder Bremen keeping the Bavarians out given they are set to be without a number of key defenders.
Considering Bayern's rampant displays in the final third this term, they should be confident of scoring multiple times on Friday, but it would not be surprising if they conceded at least once given their own defensive struggles of late.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
