Bayern Munich will be aiming to win their first competitive match of 2023 when they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga's Saturday night game.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, would move two points behind the league leaders with an away victory.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having won 10 straight games prior to the World Cup in Qatar, Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann must be ruing the timing of the tournament having seen his side draw both league games since returning to action.
Indeed, after enduring a winless run of four league games earlier in the season, the reigning champions seemed to have shaken off their slump with a period of relentless form before the break, which culminated in them returning to the top of the Bundesliga as well as progressing into the Champions League knockout stages with maximum points.
However, after securing a creditable 1-1 draw away to RB Leipzig last week, the Bavarians dropped two points at home to FC Koln in another 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich spared his side's blushes with a last-minute equaliser after Ellyes Skhiri looked to have handed the visitors a memorable victory through his fourth-minute strike, but there was no getting away from the fact that Nagelsmann's side had dropped two points more than they had gained one.
With the likes of Leipzig and their forthcoming opponents Frankfurt breathing down their necks at the top of the table, Nagelsmann will be determined to return to winning ways at the Allianz Arena this weekend.
© Reuters
Frankfurt, meanwhile, remain on course for a hugely successful season after claiming a respectable 1-1 draw away to Freiburg on Wednesday evening.
Randal Kolo Muani, who starred for World Cup finalists France in Qatar, provided Oliver Glasner's side with a marginal half-time lead, but Matthias Ginter equalised just two minutes after the break, with the match fizzling out to result in a share of the spoils.
Avoiding defeat ensured that Frankfurt remain inside the Champions League qualification places heading into the weekend's action, with Borussia Dortmund and Freiburg both directly below them on goal difference.
However, with both Freiburg and Wolfsburg able to overtake them with positive results against Augsburg and Werder Bremen respectively on Saturday afternoon, Die Adler could find themselves kicking-off in Bavaria down in fifth or sixth position in the table.
Regardless, a five-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga suggests that last season's Europa League winners - who are set to face Napoli in their first ever Champions League knockout tie next month - are more than capable of upsetting Bayern on current form.
Team News
© Reuters
Bayern are likely to remain without Manuel Neuer (broken leg) and Lucas Hernandez (ACL) for the rest of the campaign, but Sadio Mane, Noussair Mazraoui and Bouna Sarr should all return from their respective injuries at various points in February.
Leon Goretzka was substituted at half time of his side's draw against Koln due to suspected concussion and is therefore a doubt to be available for selection this weekend. Marcel Sabitzer may be preferred to Ryan Gravenberch in the hosts' engine room as his replacement.
Having failed to find their usual attacking verve last time out, Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman could be handed starts by Nagelsmann in order to shake things up.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, will remain without wing-backs Eric Dina Ebimbe and Luca Pellegrini due to ankle and calf injuries respectively, while youngsters Marcel Wenig and Paxten Aaronson are also both unavailable.
Glasner's side's result in Freiburg was made more impressive by the fact that their first-choice Kevin Trapp missed the trip due to illness, which could keep the 32-year-old at home on Saturday, too. If so, Diant Ramaj will deputise once again after putting in a steady performance in midweek.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Sabitzer; Gnabry, Muller, Coman; Choupo-Moting
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Ramaj; Tuta, Smolcic, N'Dicka; Knauff, Kamada, Sow, Lenz; Lindstrom, Gotze; Kolo Muani
We say: Bayern Munich 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Bayern will require a much better performance than the one that they delivered on home turf when drawing against Koln on Tuesday if they are to beat Frankfurt, with the visitors unbeaten in their last five league matches and aiming to qualify for the Champions League once again.
However, Nagelsmann's side should be fired up after a couple of disappointing results, as they look to win their first match of the calendar year. We expect them to just about get over the line on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
