Bayern Munich should end their home woes against FC Nurnberg

After two consecutive victories, Bayern Munich gear up to host FC Nurnberg in their 14th match of the 2018-19 Bundesliga season.

Bayern Munich have struggled at home this season, particularly in their Bundesliga games. The Bavarians have dropped points on a regular basis at the Allianz Arena. In their last home Bundesliga game, Bayern imploded in the final minutes of the game and dropped two points against Fortuna Dusseldorf. The defending champions need to deliver a dominating performance on Saturday when they host Nurnberg.

Niko Kovac has finally found a balanced starting XI and will likely with this lineup against Nurnberg. Die Roten have finally built some sort of momentum after a few good results against Werder Bremen and Benfica last week. They currently sit fourth in the league and need a long winning run to overhaul Borussia Dortmund’s nine-point lead at the top of the table.

It has been tough going for Nurnberg, meanwhile, in the Bundesliga this season. The newly-promoted side are just one position above the relegation zone due to a slightly better goal difference that VfB Stuttgart. Nurnberg will have to improve their form if they want to stay in the Bundesliga next year. A positive result at the Allianz Arena will be a fantastic way to start changing their fortunes in the league.

Team News

Bayern Munich will have a big squad available for this game. Arjen Robben remains a doubt due to a minor thigh injury which has kept him out of this week’s training sessions. Kingsley Coman made his return last weekend, though, and the Frenchman is now completely fit to play the whole game.

Thiago Alcantara also got few minutes under his belt last weekend. The Spaniard has completely recovered from a serious ankle injury which he suffered in October. James Rodriguez is on schedule in his recovery from a knee injury, but he is unlikely to feature before the winter break. Corentin Tolisso is the only long-term absentee for Bayern Munich.

Predicted XI

Kovac once again confirmed in Friday’s pre-match press conference that he will not heavily rotate his starting lineup. Manuel Neuer will start in goal as his search for a league clean sheet now goes over two months. Jerome Boateng and Niklas Sule will form the partnership in the heart of defense, while Rafinha and David Alaba will be the full-backs against Nurnberg.

The balance in midfield remains the same as Joshua Kimmich slots in the holding midfield role. Leon Goretzka has complemented Kimmich very well in the center of the park, and the former Schalke midfielder will take up the role of a box-to-box midfielder against Nurnberg. Thomas Muller will complete the central midfield by slotting in the attacking midfield position.

Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer for Bayern this season. The Polish striker will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday. Serge Gnabry scored his first brace for Bayern last weekend, and he is likely to be rewarded with one more start on Saturday. Kingsley Coman will complete the front free by occupying the right flank.

"NeuerRafinha-Sule-Boateng-AlabaKimmich-GoretzkaComan-Muller-GnabryLewandowski"

Opposition Focus

The main strategy from away teams at the Allianz Arena this season has been hitting Bayern on the break. They just have to beat the press of the midfield with a long ball to their attacking players. This simple move exposes Bayern’s fragile defense. Nurnberg will have to remain patient on Saturday in order to get a positive result, but it is possible. They will get decent opportunities to score against Bayern.

Nurnberg also has some defensive problems of their own, however, as they have conceded the most goals in the division. Bayern has the chance of getting a big result, but they need to be efficient on Saturday.

Federico Palacios and Adam Zrelak are the attacking players from Nurnberg that can trouble Bayern’s defense. Hanno Behrens has also been impressive for the visitors in the center of the park. Nurnberg knows the blueprint to get a result at the Allianz Arena, but it will take a special effort from their defense to stop Bayern’s attack.

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Prediction

Bayern Munich 3-0 FC Nurnberg

The defending champions have been woeful at home, and they are struggling to eliminate errors in defense. However, after two good performances against Benfica and Werder Bremen, I expect Bayern to win in an emphatic manner on Saturday.