Bundesliga MD13 Preview: Bayern Munich travel to struggling Hertha Berlin
By Samuel Jones
After a convincing win against Inter Milan on Tuesday, Bayern Munich travel to the capital to take on Hertha Berlin on Saturday. They have played each other 81 times with Bayern taking all three points 48 times, and Hertha doing so just 13. Last time out against Hertha, Die Roten claimed a 1-4 victory with Tolisso, Müller, Sane, and Gnabry scoring the goals. Nagelsmann has not lost in the Bundesliga against Hertha Berlin, collecting nine wins and four draws
Hertha come into this match winning just one of their last five matches, with a 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Schalke. Bayern on the other hand come into this match after winning their last seven games across all competitions. Die Roten sit just one point off top and are hoping to keep the pressure on Hertha’s local rivals Union Berlin and continue their run of good form with just three games left until the league takes a break for the World Cup in mid-November.
Team News
Thomas Muller remains a doubt for this game as he continues his recovery from a hip problem. However, Leroy Sane and Lucas Hernandez are expected to make their return to the matchday squad on Saturday. Sane has been out for three weeks, while Hernandez will play his first game since mid-September. Julian Nagelsmann had admitted that Manuel Neuer could return to the team against Hertha Berlin as he is close to complete fitness after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will be hoping to make his 50th Bundesliga appearance for the Bavarian club. The Cameroon international will be looking to extend his good run of form as he has scored seven goals in his last six games.
Predicted Starting XI
With the World Cup break looming, Nagelsmann will be looking to make the most of this momentum and hope to claim all nine points from the next three games before the break. Players returning from injury will not be rushed back but will want to show their respective international coaches that they’re ready to play.
In the goal, Neuer may play his first game since Der Klassiker at the start of October. The German international was always confident about getting fit for the World Cup. He will now hope to play the next three league games to get back in rhythm for the show-piece event in Qatar.
Benjamin Pavard excelled against Inter Milan on Saturday, so the French international may keep his place in the starting XI. He is likely to partner with Dayot Upamecano, while Matthijs de Ligt may get minutes from the bench after recovering from a minor injury. Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui will slot in the full-back positions.
Nagelsmann will revert to his favoured midfield pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka on Saturday. The game against Inter saw promising performances from Marcel Sabitzer and Ryan Gravenberch, but Goretzka and Kimmich will keep their place in the starting XI.
Choupo-Moting will be looking to extend his good run of form on Saturday as he will lead the attack. Jamal Musiala will return to the starting lineup and play in the number ten position. Meanwhile, Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry will operate on the flanks against Hertha Berlin.
"Neuer Mazraoui Pavard Upamecano Davies Kimich Goretzka Ganbry Musiala Mané Choupo-Moting"
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Score Prediction
Hertha Berlin 0-3 Bayern Munich
Bayern are on top form coming into this match against a side that has struggled so far this season. It will be a big surprise if Die Roten doesn’t register a comfortable victory on Saturday.