Bayern Munich should secure an easy victory away at Mainz

After two back-to-back home games, Bayern Munich are on the road again as they gear up to face Mainz on Bundesliga matchday 21.

Bayern Munich were invoilved in an enthralling game against Hoffenheim last weekend. The Bavarians overturned a 2-0 deficit at the Allianz Arena to win the game with a convincing 5-2 scoreline. Despite their eventual victory, Jupp Heynckes has insisted that his team needs to find stability in defense in order to be successful in Europe.

In the Bundesliga, the Bavarians are in a comfortable position. Bayern Munich have an enormous 16-point lead at the top of the table. The German Champions will be looking to start February on a positive note as the Champions League round of 16 is just around the corner.

Things are not looking so good for Bayern’s oppositions, Mainz, this season. They are fighting for survival in the Bundesliga. Mainz have little breathing space above the relegation zone, only separated from it by three points. The home side will be hoping to get a big confidence boost on Saturday by securing a positive result against the league leaders.

Team News

Bayern Munich will be without some key players against Mainz on Saturday. Arturo Vidal will miss this game due to illness. Sandro Wagner suffered an injury in training earlier this week. However, Heynckes is confident that the German striker will be fit for this game. Mats Hummels is also set be back for Bayern after missing the whole month of January.

David Alaba will have to pass a late fitness test as he suffered a knock in training this week. Heynckes also gave an update on Thiago Alcantara in his pre-game press conference. The Spaniard is back involved in light training sessions and is on track to return later this month. On the other hand, Manuel Neuer is yet to train with the first team and still needs more than a month to be back in action.

Predicted XI

Heynckes admitted that he is likely to make changes for this game. However, it is certain that Sven Ulreich will start in goal. In defense, Mats Hummels is likely to partner Jerome Boateng. Joshua Kimmich will keep his place in the starting XI, while Juan Bernat is likely to play in the left-back position in the absence of Alaba.

Javi Martinez missed the game against Hoffenheim due to a minor injury. The Spaniard trained with the first team and is likely to slot in the defensive midfield role. In the absence of Vidal, Corentin Tolisso will most probably play the other central midfield role. James Rodriguez will complete the midfield by occupying the attacking midfield role.

Thomas Muller will be in line to return to the starting XI for this game. The German will play on the right side of the front three while Kingsley Coman plays on the left flank. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the German Champions.

"UlreichKimmich-Boateng-Hummels-BernatMartinez-TolissoMuller-Rodriguez-ComanLewandowski"

Opposition Focus

Mainz have a decent home record this season, all five of their Bundesliga victories coming within the Opel Arena. They will be hoping to use their home advantage to get a positive result on Saturday. But Mainz have conceded the most goals in the Bundesliga this season, and have registered a single win in their past five games in the Bundesliga. A win won’t come easy.

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Yoshinori Muto has been the top scorer for the home side this season. The Japanese international has scored six goals. Bayern Munich should see out a pretty comfortable victory over Mainz given they avoid a shaky start to the game.

Prediction

Mainz 0- 3 Bayern Munich