Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich continue their title charge on Sunday when they host third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians miraculously drew 0-0 with second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on February 15, but the draw meant they ended last weekend eight clear of the champions with 55 points, whereas the Eagles beat Holstein Kiel 3-1 on February 16 and have 42 points.
Match preview
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Bayern are fortunate that the gap at the top of the table is eight points given they faced five big chances against Leverkusen, produced only two shots in the entire game and needed the woodwork two times to prevent them from conceding.
The hosts were also held to a 1-1 draw by Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday, and though they advanced to the round of 16 due to their 2-1 first-leg victory on February 12, they needed Alphonso Davies to score a 94th-minute equaliser in the second leg to prevent extra time.
Vincent Kompany's side have played 35 games this term but have scored one or fewer on just 11 occasions, including in their two most recent matches.
The Bavarians still rank as the league's highest goalscorers having found the back of the net 65 times in 23 Bundesliga outings, at least 16 more than any other club.
Though Bayern were held to stalemates in their last two, they did win each of their prior five in all competitions and triumphed in seven of their past eight in the league.
Kompany's record as boss at Allianz Arena is outstanding considering he has overseen 14 wins, two draws and only one defeat in his 17 games at home in 2024-25.
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As for Eintracht Frankfurt, though they faced an xG figure of 1.41 against Holstein Kiel, 1.37 of that total came from one shot and a subsequent follow-up effort that resulted in a goal.
The visitors have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five and conceded first in three of their four most recent matches.
Manager Dino Toppmoller's side have scored nine goals in the five Bundesliga games since Omar Marmoush's departure to Manchester City, exactly the same amount they scored in his final five top-flight outings.
The Eagles held Bayern Munich to a 3-3 stalemate on October 6 in the league, and perhaps fans can expect a similarly entertaining affair on Sunday considering 19 goals have been scored in the last five meetings between the sides.
While the club have drawn three and lost one of their past five in all competitions, they achieved victory in each of their prior four.
However, Toppmoller will undoubtedly be alarmed by his team's form away from home given they have lost four, drawn two and won just one of their seven most recent outings on the road.
Team News
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Bayern striker Harry Kane is almost certainly set to miss out as a result of a minor calf injury, and his absence may mean Serge Gnabry is trusted to start up front.
Gnabry is likely to be supported by attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala, and he could play in front of a double pivot featuring Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic.
Davies came on from the substitute's bench against Celtic on Tuesday, but considering he has only recently returned from a hamstring injury, Raphael Guerreiro may be chosen in the starting XI on the left side of defence.
Eintracht Frankfurt will not be able to select wing-back Junior Dina Ebimbe, so expect Rasmus Kristensen and Nathaniel Brown to flank a back three of Nnamdi Collins, Tuta and Arthur Theate given centre-back Robin Koch is injured.
Mahmoud Dahoud was substituted on for the injured Oscar Hojlund against Holstein Kiel, and he may start on Sunday alongside Hugo Larsson in midfield.
Considering how clinical the visitors were last time out, Toppmoller could use the same forward line of Mario Gotze, Can Uzun and Hugo Ekitike on the weekend.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Gnabry
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Collins, Tuta, Theate; Kristensen, Dahoud, Larsson, Brown; Gotze, Uzun; Ekitike
We say: Bayern Munich 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Kane's absence from Bayern's attack could be significant, though they should still have enough in the final third to threaten the away side.
However, it would not be surprising if Eintracht Frankfurt punished Bayern given the hosts have arguably been fortunate to not concede more in recent weeks.
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Lewis Nolan
