21 October 2021, 16:50 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Bayern Munich will take on TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in another Bundesliga fixture at the weekend to usher in Matchweek 9. Germany's top-flight division has seen 72 games go by, which have produced 219 goals since Matchday 1. Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski continue to tangle at the top of the Bundesliga goal scorers’ list after both players bagged a brace last weekend to reach a haul of 9 apiece. Florian Wirtz now shares the top spot with Andrej Kramarić on the assists list with 6 each, while the 05ers' Robin Zentner has the highest number of clean sheets in the Bundesliga with 4. Bayern Munich sits at the top, one point adrift of second-placed Dortmund, while Greuther Fürth is at the other end of the table. This fixture kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, October 23, at Allianz Arena.
Preview FC Bayern München Bundesliga, Oct 23, 2021
Preview Bayern Munich will return to Bundesliga action following Wednesday’s 4-0 UCL Matchday 3 win over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz. Over the weekend, the German champions brushed Bayer Leverkusen aside in a 5-1 win at BayArena. A deft flick from the European Golden Shoe winner (2020/21), Lewandowski (3’) had Bayern in the lead. Minutes later, the Ballon d'Or (2021) nominee bagged the brace (30’). Thomas Müller (34’) gave the Reds a third with a decisive deflection before Serge Gnabry (35’ & 37’) struck twice, leaving Bayern clear with a comfortable five-goal lead. However, Bayer bagged a consolation goal, courtesy of Patrik Schick (55’). The resounding victory leaves Bayern Munich with four victories in five Bundesliga games: WWWLW, as they sit at the top in 1st place, having picked up 19 points after 6W, 1D, & 1L. An impressive Bundesliga goal ratio of 3.62 goals per 90 minutes paves the way for the champions, having scored a remarkable total of 29 goals in 8 Bundesliga games. Bayern has only conceded 8 goals (1 goal per game), and thus have a goal difference of +21. Julian Nagelsmann, who was seen jumping for joy during the 5-1 thrashing of Leverkusen, will be looking for a similar result on Bundesliga Matchday 9. Changes may be seen at the defensive end of the pitch, but the attacking triangle formed by Leroy Sane, Müller, Gnabry, and Lewandowski is expected to remain undisturbed in the familiar 4—2—3—1 formation when Bayern takes on Hoffenheim on Matchday 9. Benjamin Pavard returns to the squad after serving a suspension, but Ulreich remains ruled out with a knee injury.
Preview TSG Hoffenheim Bundesliga, Oct 23, 2021
Preview Hoffenheim picked the Billy Goats apart in a 5-0 win over the weekend on home soil. Die Kraichgauer are in 9th place in the Bundesliga table, having picked up 11 points from 3W, 2D, & 3L. The weekend’s victory was the second for the club in five games: LDWLW. Speaking of goals, Hoffenheim has 17, - an average of 2.12 goals scored per game. They have conceded 11 goals so far and have a G.D. of +6. Manager Sebastian Hoeneß could emerge with a 3—4—1—2 formation against Bayern Munich on Saturday, with Andrej Kramaric and Ihlas Bebou in attack. Bicakcic (knee) is ruled out alongside Hübner (back) and John (shoulder). In addition, Kaderabek (ankle) will also be unavailable for this fixture.