Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich will look to bounce back from defeat when they welcome Heidenheim to Allianz Arena on Saturday in their 13th Bundesliga game of the season.
The Bavarians were beaten 1-0 by Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday in the DFB-Pokal, though they are first in the top flight with 30 points, but their opponents are third last in 16th place with just 10 points and lost 4-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the league on December 1.
Match preview
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While their exit from the DFB-Pokal will no doubt be disappointing considering Bayern failed to win any trophy last season for the first time in 12 years, Kompany should not necessarily be blamed given goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was sent off in the 17th minute.
The hosts drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund on November 30 last time out in the Bundesliga, a match in which Bayern produced three of their five big chances in the second half after struggling to create much in the first half.
Following the draw, Kompany said that he was pleased by his players' reaction in the second 45 minutes, telling reporters: "I thought the first 10-15 minutes weren't too bad but then we lost momentum, made mistakes and lost the ball too easily. We didn't show our best level. In the second half we showed up quickly and created many chances to score."
To the league leaders' credit, the draw was the first time they had dropped points in the top flight in their last six matches, and they are still unbeaten in the league in their 12 most recent games having won nine and drawn three in that period.
The Bavarians have scored 37 goals and conceded on just eight occasions in the Bundesliga, and these are the best records in the entire division.
Bayern's loss in the DFB-Pokal was their first at home in any competition since succumbing 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in late March, with the club winning 11 and drawing two in that time.
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As for Heidenheim, they started their 2024-25 campaign in positive fashion considering they triumphed in their first five games, as well as seven of their first nine.
However, the away team have only achieved victory in two of their subsequent 11 matches, losing eight and drawing one.
Boss Frank Schmidt will no doubt be concerned that his side have lost their last four fixtures, but he can have no complaints about their 4-0 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt given the Eagles created five big chances and restricted his team to just one.
In their past seven Bundesliga matches, Schmidt's side have failed to score on four occasions while being beaten six times.
Heidenheim's form on the road in the league has been poor given they have lost their last three away games, as well as three of their past four away from home in all competitions.
Team News
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The hosts' talisman Harry Kane will be out of action until late December, so perhaps Kompany will field a front line of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman behind Thomas Muller.
Midfielder Joao Palhinha is set to be absent until January, so expect Bayern to select a double pivot consisting of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
In defence, Kompany may start a back four of Raphael Guerreiro, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Alphonso Davies in front of Neuer, who will not serve his suspension in the league.
Heidenheim have concerns about the fitness of midfielders Julian Niehues and Luka Janes, while forward Marvin Pieringer is not likely to appear again until February 2025 due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Schmidt may start a midfield trio of Niklas Dorsch, Lennard Maloney and Jan Schoppner ahead of centre-backs Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber.
Paul Wanner, Mikkel Kaufmann and Leo Scienza are likely to be trusted to lead the visitors' attack.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Muller
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Wanner, Kaufmann, Scienza
We say: Bayern Munich 3-0 Heidenheim
Kompany will expect a strong reaction from his players given the team are winless in their last two, and considering their exceptional home record, it would be surprising if they dropped points again on Saturday.
Additionally, Heidenheim are in poor form and have struggled to find the back of the net in recent games, so the hosts should come into the clash as clear favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
