As the international break comes to a close, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are set host to bottom-half Augsburg on Friday at Allianz Arena in their 11th league game of the season.
The Bavarians defeated third last St Pauli 1-0 on November 9 and have 26 points from a possible 30, more than double the tally of the visitors, who are sixth last in 13th place with 12 points and were held to a 0-0 draw by Hoffenheim on November 10.
Match preview
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The hosts will be eager to retain their status as the only unbeaten team left in the Bundesliga, with the team having won their four most recent top-flight matches.
Against St Pauli, Bayern created little in the final third but managed to restrict their opponents to just three shots, none of which were on target.
Vincent Kompany's team's victory against St Pauli was their second consecutive 1-0 win, contrasting with their goalscoring exploits in the previous six games when they netted 20 times.
The fact the Bavarians were strong from a defensive perspective was not lost on Kompany, who highlighted his players' performance without the ball, telling reporters: "We did well defensively, that was definitely our strength today. We didn't play as effectively going forward as we have recently."
Since losing 4-1 against Barcelona on October 23 in the Champions League, Bayern have triumphed in their five subsequent games without conceding.
Kompany's side boast a remarkable home record given they have won nine and drawn two of their last 11 matches at Allianz Arena, scoring 20 goals and conceding on just three occasions in their six home outings this term.
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As for Augsburg, they are only four points from 16th-placed St Pauli, who occupy the division's relegation playoff spot.
Their clash against Hoffenheim was closely contested, though the Fuggerstadter arguably edged the game in terms of opportunities considering they produced 16 shots compared to Hoffenheim's 11.
Manager Jess Thorup praised his side for their defensive resilience in the aftermath of the draw but mentioned that the team gave up control of proceedings in the second half, saying: "We had a lot of shots and gave very little away defensively. Unfortunately, we didn't start the second half well and the opponents controlled the game better."
In the Bundesliga, Augsburg have managed to score 13 times, but they have also conceded 20 goals, and these records make them the division's joint fifth-worst offensive and fourth-worst defensive club.
It should be noted that while Thorup's team are close to the relegation zone, they are unbeaten in their four most recent matches having drawn twice and won twice, and they have collected eight points from the last 15 on offer, as many as they had earned in the previous 13 league games.
The visitors' away form is concerning, with the side having been beaten in seven of their last eight away fixtures in the top flight, drawing just one time in that period.
Team News
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Bayern will have to find ways of defending against opposition attacks without defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has been ruled out of action until January 2025.
Aleksandar Pavlovic is nearing a comeback from a broken collarbone, but should Friday's game come too soon, Kompany could field a double pivot consisting of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
The hosts will also be without centre-back Hiroki Ito and right-back Josip Stanisic, as well as goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, so expect Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae to protect Manuel Neuer's goal.
Meanwhile, Augsburg defender Reece Oxford continues to be absent as a result of long COVID, while midfielders Tim Breithaupt and Fredrik Jensen are not scheduled to return until early December.
Nediljko Labrovic is almost certain to start between the posts behind a back three featuring Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck.
Kristijan Jakic is likely to be selected at the base of a midfield three alongside Frank Onyeka and Arne Maier.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Maier, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Augsburg
While Bayern have only won by narrow margins in their last two games, they have been rampant in front of goal all season, and it would not be surprising if they netted multiple times.
Given the hosts will not be able to select a specialist defensive midfielder, Augsburg could create chances in transition, but the Bavarians should still come into Friday's clash as strong favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
