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Bayern Munich gear up to face SV Rodinghausen in DFB Pokal clash

By Kiran Thakare

ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 23: Players of Bayern Muenchen celebrate the 2nd team goal during the Group E match of the UEFA Champions League between AEK Athens and FC Bayern Muenchen at Athens Olympic Stadium on October 23, 2018 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GREECE - OCTOBER 23: Players of Bayern Muenchen celebrate the 2nd team goal during the Group E match of the UEFA Champions League between AEK Athens and FC Bayern Muenchen at Athens Olympic Stadium on October 23, 2018 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich are set to play against Regionalliga side SV Rodinghausen on Tuesday in the DFB Pokal round of 16.

The games are coming thick and fast for Bayern Munich in the coming weeks. Niko Kovac’s men have built good momentum in the past ten days and hope to continue that theme when they face SV Rodinghausen in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday.

Bayern have given some professional displays in the past three games despite not winning any match by a considerable margin. The Bavarians had to fight hard against Mainz on Saturday for the three points but eventually came away with the win.

Die Roten have been heavily criticized recently for their style of play. Their opponents tomorrow are considerably weaker than what Bayern are used to, so Kovac will be hoping for a dominant display from his men.

On the other hand, SV Rodinghausen have been in fine form this season. They have won five of their last six games across all competitions. The hosts are currently sitting at fifth in the Regionalliga. It will be a huge task for Rodinghausen on Tuesday, but their recent form gives them some optimisim going into this game.

Team News

Bayern Munich will be without a number of players on Tuesday. Jerome Boateng and James Rodriguez have been ruled out of this fixture due to illness. Arjen Robben was suspended for the game against Mainz, and he is set to miss this game due to a minor injury. Sven Ulreich will not be involved in this game due to personal reasons.

Mats Hummels suffered an adductor injury during the warm-up routine against Mainz. The German defender is set to miss the game against SV Rodinghausen as well. Leon Goretzka was replaced at the start of second half against Mainz due to injury. The former Schalke midfielder will also have a late fitness test for this game. Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso are the long term absentees for Bayern Munich.

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Predicted XI

Niko Kovac is going to make several changes to his starting XI for this game. Manuel Neuer will get no rest as Sven Ulreich has been ruled out for this game. Javi Martinez might be forced to play in central defense as Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng are both out. The Spaniard will partner Niklas Sule in the heart of defense. Joshua Kimmich might get a rest in this game, so Rafinha replaces him in the right-back position. David Alaba will slot in at left-back.

Thiago Alcantara has played in all three games in the past ten days. He is likely to play on Tuesday too, however, as there are no other candidates to play the holding midfield position. Renato Sanches will partner Thiago in the center of the park, while Thomas Muller will fulfill the attacking midfield role.

Franck Ribery will be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday after missing out in the last three games. The Frenchman will slot on the left side of the attack. Serge Gnabry is the only other fit winger in the squad, so he might be deployed on the right side. Sandro Wagner will lead the line for the Bavarians against SV Rodinghausen.

"NeuerRafinha-Sule-Martinez-AlabaThiago-SanchesGnabry-Muller-RiberyWagner"

Opposition Focus

SV Rodinghausen are the obvious underdogs for this game, but you can never write off teams in cup games. Bayern Munich had to fight hard for a win against Drochtersen/Assel in the previous round. Rodinghausen have a real good chance of testing Bayern’s defense that has been consistently leaking goals this season.

Simon Engelmann has been the main attacking threat for Rodingahausen. The German striker has scored eight goals this season for the hosts. Kelvin Lunga is another attacking player who can cause Bayern’s defense many problems on Tuesday. It is going to be a huge ask for the hosts to beat Bayern, but they have to make the visitors work hard for the win.

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Prediction

SV Rodinghausen 0-4 Bayern Munich

Rodinghausen will be mighty pleased to host the biggest club in Germay on Tuesday. It will take a miracle for the hosts to defeat the Bavarians, so I expect another professional performance from Niko Kovac and Co.