Bayern Munich have enjoyed a good start to the final stretch of the season after a productive international break. The Bavarian club came back from a 2-0 deficit to clinch a 3-2 win against Freiburg last weekend. Bayern followed up this win with a convincing 2-1 win against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Vincent Kompany’s men will look to end the week on a terrific note o by clinching a win against St. Pauli on Saturday. Bayern can take another big step towards regaining the Bundesliga title by winning on matchday 29, as they currently have a nine-point lead over their title rivals, Borussia Dortmund.
St. Pauli find themselves in a difficult position going into the final stretch of the Bundesliga campaign. They are currently 16th in the points table, four points above the drop zone. St. Pauli also trail 15th placed FC Koln by two points. To ensure automatic safety in the Bundesliga, they will have to win the majority of their remaining games starting from Bayern’s visit on Saturday.
Team News
Nicolas Jackson will miss the game against St. Pauli as he serves the suspension for the red card against Bayer Leverkusen. The game against St. Pauli is the last game of his punishment. Sven Ulriech has started training on the grass at Sabner Strasse, but he is unlikely to be fit for matchday 29 of the Bundesliga.
Lennart Karl has been ruled out for Saturday’s game after suffering a hamstring strain. The youngster is expected to be out for three weeks, which is a blow for Die Roten as there several big games over the coming weeks. Bayern have no other injury concerns for the clash against St. Pauli.
Predicted Starting XI
Manuel Neuer looked at his absolute best against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Without his terrific saves, Bayern wouldn’t have found themselves in a strong position going into next week’s second leg at Allianz Arena. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will start against Freiburg to maintain his match rhythm after recent bouts with small injuries.
Building on the strong performance in goal, Kompany will make a couple of changes in the back four on Saturday. Kim Min-jae will start in the central defense alongside Dayot Upamecano. Alphonso Davies will get a start in the left-back position, replacing Josip Stanisic in the starting XI. Konrad Laimer will keep his place in the right-back position.
In addition to the defensive adjustments, Leon Goretzka will replace Aleksandar Pavlovic in the center of the park. Goretzka will play alongside Tom Bischof in the midfield, as Kompany will be tempted to give Joshua Kimmich some rest before the second leg against Real Madrid.
Jamal Musiala should get an opportunity to start on Saturday in the number ten position. Luis Diaz will continue to play on the left of the front four. Serge Gnabry will start on the right flank, giving rest to Michael Olise. Harry Kane will lead the attack for the defending Bundesliga champions.
Predicted Starting XI: Neuer; Davies, Kim Min-jae, Upamecano, Laimer; Goretzka, Bischof; Diaz, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Score Prediction
St. Pauli 1-3 Bayern Munich
There is a possibility that Bayern Munich's players will be tired from midweek travel to Real Madrid, but that will not be enough for St. Pauli to get all three points on Saturday. Die Roten are likely to concede a goal, but their quality will be enough to outscore St. Pauli.