Bayern Munich look to end good week with win against Mainz
Julian Nagelsmann has managed to change the fortunes of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga after a poor September. The German coach has brought Die Roten’s season back on track with three wins and one draw since the end of the first international break of the season. Bayern will be looking to extend the good run of results when they host Mainz on matchday 12.
Die Roten will be hosting Mainz on the back of a convincing 3-0 win against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday. The Bavarian club is slowly getting more efficient at both ends of the pitch, dominating the opposition for large parts of the game. Meanwhile, Mainz will be looking to continue their good form in the Bundesliga. They are currently sixth in the points table, challenging for European places.
Team News
Manuel Neuer remains on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury. The German international is confident about recovering in time for next month’s World Cup. Thomas Muller will miss the game against Mainz due to a hip injury. The German forward is expected to be out for a week.
Leroy Sane has started training on the pitch, but he is likely to make his return against Inter Milan next week. Lucas Hernandez will start training with the team on Monday, while Bouna Sarr is the long-term absentee for Die Roten due to a serious knee injury.
Predicted Starting XI
Sven Ulreich delivered a good performance in the midweek clash against Barcelona in the Champions League. The German goalkeeper is making the most of the opportunities he is getting in the absence of Neuer. He will be hoping to extend this good run of form against Mainz on Saturday.
Die Roten has defended well in the past few games. They managed to keep a clean sheet against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday. The center-back partnership of Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt has done well in the absence of Hernandez. Julian Nagelsmann is likely to stick with the same partnership against Mainz. Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies will slot in the full-back positions on Saturday.
Nagelsmann has been reluctant to rotate heavily in midfield. He is likely to stick with his preferred midfield pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka against Mainz. Both German midfielders are enjoying a good run of form, so it makes sense to stick with them for Bundesliga games.
There are unlikely to be big changes in the attack for Bayern on Saturday. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will deservedly lead the attack after scoring in three of the last four games. Sadio Mane is expected to start on the left flank, while Serge Gnabry will occupy the right flank. Jamal Musiala will play the number ten role on Saturday.
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Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Mainz
Mainz has enjoyed a good set of results against Bayern in the recent past, but all of those good results have come at home. Die Roten has enjoyed a good head-to-head record against Mainz at Allianz Arena. Considering Bayern’s current form, we are expecting a comfortable win for the Bavarian side on Saturday.