Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday

Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Friday when they face Bayer Leverkusen away from home.

The German Champions return to competitive action on Friday after a short winter break. Bayern Munich spent much of their winter break training in Doha. The Bavarians ended the break with a 5-3 win in a friendly game against Sonnenhof Grobaspach on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich currently sit comfortably at the top of the Bundesliga with an 11-point lead over second-placed FC Schalke. They grinded out results in the final few matches of 2017. Jupp Heynckes will be hoping that his players hit top form in the second half of the season. The Bavarians have a chance to go 14 points clear on Friday as Schalke play later this weekend.

Bayer Leverkusen have been enjoying a good season in the Bundesliga. They currently sit in fourth place, trailing Schalke by two points. Leverkusen will be hoping to continue their good work in the second half of the season and qualify for the Champions League next year.

Team News

Bayern Munich will be without a couple of important players for the game against Leverkusen. Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski have been ruled out from this game due to minor injuries. The duo trained alone at their camp in Doha and didn’t play a single minute in the two friendlies.

Arjen Robben is back in action after regaining complete match fitness in the two friendlies. The Dutchman has been on the sidelines for over a month due to an injury he suffered against Anderlecht in November. There will be a late fitness test for Joshua Kimmich as he is recovering from a minor knock. Thiago Alcantara and Manuel Neuer remain the long-term absentees for the German Champions.

Predicted XI

After recovering from a minor injury, Sven Ulreich featured in both the friendly games. The German won the club’s player of the month for December. He will be hoping to maintain this good form between the sticks when he starts against Leverkusen. In the heart of the defense, Niklas Sule is likely to partner Jerome Boateng in the absence of Hummels.

With Kimmich facing a late fitness test, Heynckes is unlikely to take any risks. Rafinha will replace Kimmich on the right side of the back four while David Alaba slots in at left-back. Javi Martinez will occupy the defensive midfield position. Arturo Vidal is likely to partner the Spaniard and be the box-to-box midfielder in the team.

Kingsley Coman will be looking to continue his good form when he starts on the left side of the attack. On the other side, Arjen Robben will probably make his return to the starting lineup. Thomas Muller is completely fit now and is likely to play behind the striker. In the absence of Lewandowski, Bayern’s new signing Sandro Wagner will get a chance to make his debut.

"UlreichRafinha-Sule-Boateng-AlabaMartinez-VidalRobben-Muller-ComanWagner"

Opposition Focus

Bayern Munich have failed to register an away win at Leverkusen in the past three years. This season it will be even more difficult for the Bavarians as Leverkusen are in good form. Leverkusen have a lot of young attacking players who can cause many problems to Bayern on counter.

Kevin Volland has been in fine form for the home side as he has scored nine goals in the Bundesliga this season. The attacking players behind Volland have been also contributing good amount of goals. Leon Bailey and Julian Brandt are the players to keep an eye on as they are efficient while initiating counter-attacks. The Bavarians will need a solid defensive performance in order to come home with all three points.

Next: Arturo Vidal not distracted by recent Chelsea rumors

Predictions

Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Bayern Munich