Bayern Munich's quest for the Bundesliga title continues on Saturday when they welcome St Pauli to Allianz Arena in their 27th league game of the season.
The Bavarians lead the way in the top flight with 62 points – six more than second-placed Bayer Leverkusen – while opponents St Pauli are fourth last in 15th place with 25 points following their 1-0 victory against Hoffenheim on March 14.
Match preview
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Vincent Kompany's hosts were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Union Berlin on March 15, a game in which the Belgian's side faced just 0.69 xG while producing 1.66 xG, and they conceded the equaliser eight minutes after Leroy Sane opened the scoring in the 75th minute.
The Bavarians' draw was the first time they had been prevented from scoring at least two goals in their last five games.
It should also be said that the hosts have not kept a clean sheet for three consecutive league matches, though they did prevent their opponents from scoring in each of their prior three.
Bayern may find themselves just three points in front of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen by the time they play St Pauli given the reigning champions play on Friday against relegation-threatened VfL Bochum.
Kompany's side have lost one and drawn two of their past five fixtures in the top flight, but they did win their previous seven in the league.
The Bavarians were beaten 3-2 by Bochum in their most recent home match on March 8, but they had triumphed in each of their prior 10 at Allianz Arena.
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Opponents St Pauli prevented Hoffenheim from creating any big chances and from registering any of their four efforts in the match on target, and their dominant display saw them move five points in front of 16th-placed Bochum, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
The visitors have only found the back of the net once in each of their past two games, and they had not scored in their previous four outings.
Head coach Alexander Blessin's side failed to score against Bayern in their first meeting in the Bundesliga this season on November 9 when they lost 1-0, and he will hope his team are not prevented from creating a big chance on Saturday like they were last time.
Kiezkicker are unbeaten in two matches – winning one and drawing one – but they succumbed to defeat in each of their prior four games.
St Pauli's form away from home has room for improvement having lost three, drawn one and won just one of their four most recent outings on the road, failing to find the back of the net on three occasions.
Team News
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Bayern Munich were hit with a double injury blow this week, with defenders Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano both joining Tarek Buchmann on the sidelines.
With goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also ruled out, shot-stopper Jonas Urbig may be protected by a defence featuring Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Hiroki Ito and Raphael Guerreiro.
Midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic could miss out on action until early May, but Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are available to appear in a double pivot.
Winger Kingsley Coman's ankle injury has ruled him out of Saturday's game, and his absence could lead Kompany to station Sane and Michael Olise either side of Harry Kane.
Opponents St Pauli will be without centre-backs Adam Dzwigala and Karol Mets, as well as goalkeeper Sascha Burchert, so expect Nikola Vasilj to be stationed behind David Nemeth, Hauke Wahl and Siebe Van der Heyden.
Midfielder James Sands is still unavailable due to a broken leg, and perhaps Jackson Irvine and Eric Smith will play together in his absence.
Strikers Noah Weisshaupt and Elias Saad are likely to appear in the forward line given Morgan Guilavogui and Simon Zoller will not be in the matchday squad.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Ito, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Nemeth, Wahl, Van der Heyden; Saliakas, Irvine, Smith, Treu; Sinani; Weisshaupt, Saad
We say: Bayern Munich 1-1 St Pauli
Bayern could encounter more difficulties in defence considering the injuries to their backline, and they may concede first on Saturday.
It would be surprising if St Pauli managed to score more than once given their subpar performances in front of goal recently, but they will take confidence from their excellent performance last time out.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
