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Bayern logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 18
Jan 21, 2024 at 2.30pm UK
Allianz Arena
Werder Bremen logo

Bayern
0 - 1
Werder Bremen


Kimmich (17'), de Ligt (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Weiser (59')
Schmid (70')

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bayern Munich welcome Werder Bremen to the Allianz Arena on Sunday in what is set to be an extremely chilly encounter in Bavaria.

Thomas Tuchel will hope his side can brave the elements, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -10 degrees over the weekend, in order to keep the pressure on Bayer Leverkusen at the top.


Match preview

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their third goal with Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on January 12, 2024© Reuters

Bayern remain four points adrift of the league leaders after both clubs won last weekend on the return of the Bundesliga.

A Jamal Musiala-inspired Bayern comfortably beat Hoffenheim 3-0 at the Allianz, but Leverkusen's late win at Augsburg means the gap remains four points.

Bayern do still have a game in hand after more adverse weather conditions saw their clash with Union Berlin postponed in December, with the rescheduled fixture coming up in midweek.

Last weekend's win extended Bayern's sensational home form to just one defeat in 32 games here, as Leverkusen remain the only side who have taken anything from Allianz this season in any competition.

It was also a ninth win in 10 Bundesliga games, and a near-perfect season is likely going to be required if Bayern are to retain the title.

Borussia Dortmund ran them close last season and really should have snatched the title, and Leverkusen are showing similar signs this season, but Bayern still remain favourites to clinch a 12th straight Bundesliga crown.

Up next is a Werder Bremen side who have not beaten them in 33 games dating back to 2008 - when they remarkably won here in dominant fashion, going 5-0 up midway through the second half.

Werder Bremen's Anthony Jung looks dejected after Bayer Leverkusen's first goal on November 25, 2023© Reuters

Since then, the Allianz has been a consistent pit of misery for Bremen, as they have lost on their last 10 visits in the league in front of a crowd - conceding an eye-watering 49 goals.

In the league in general, Bremen are poor on their travels, failing to win any of their last 11 Bundesliga away matches, meaning they have the worst record in the division.

Ole Werner's side have shown great fight in recent matches though, coming from behind to claim a draw in each of their previous three games.

After goals in the closing stages saw them hold Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig shortly before the break, Niklas Stark's 93rd-minute equaliser earned them a valuable point away to Bochum on their return to league action.

That leaves them six points above the relegation zone, and while a defeat is likely here, they can take solace from the fact Union Berlin's trip to Mainz has been postponed, meaning two sides below them cannot make any ground on them this weekend.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:


Bayern Munich form (all competitions):


Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:


Team News

Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry receives medical attention on December 9, 2023© Reuters

Bayern spent the week on a training camp in Faro on the Portuguese coast, but that came at a price, with Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano both picking up injuries.

The extent of the issues are still unknown, but it is likely both will miss out, and considering Min-jae Kim is away on international duty at the Asian Cup, central defensive options are becoming stretched.

That could see Eric Dier fast tracked into the side for his debut and may also force Joshua Kimmich back into defence, with Noussair Mazraoui also away on international duty with Morocco.

Further forward, Serge Gnabry is the only senior absentee for Bayern, as the wide man will be out until March with a tendon injury.

Harry Kane netted late on in their win over Hoffenheim to take his tally to 22 league goals in 16 games, meaning he is one away from breaking Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga record for goals at the midway point of a campaign.

Naby Keita is Bremen's only international representative away with Guinea, but Werner will also be without two players due to suspension for this one, as bookings last weekend mean Leonardo Bittencourt and Marvin Ducksch will both miss out.

Dudu missed their draw at Bochum with illness and could return to the squad on the bench, but Milos Veljkovic and Amos Pieper remain sidelined with long-term issues.

Loanee Rafael Santos Borre has agreed to join Brazilian club Internacional, but the date in which the transfer will go through is yet to be decided, meaning he remains a Bremen player for now and could feature here.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Kimmich, Dier; Coman, Guerreiro, Goretzka, Musiala, Muller, Sane; Kane

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Friedl, Gross, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Schmid, Agu; Nijnmah, Kownacki, Borre


SM words green background

We say: Bayern Munich 5-0 Werder Bremen

Bayern's dominance over Bremen in recent years goes even beyond the levels the Bavarians are accustomed to, and another big win could be on the cards, despite some injury concerns.

Bremen have lost 27 of their last 28 games against Bayern, and the rate at which they concede goals at the Allianz is of great concern for manager Werner heading into this clash.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 3.5:data


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Written by
Andrew Delaney

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Game History

How you voted: Bayern vs Werder Bremen

Bayern Munich
88.5%
Draw
7.7%
Werder Bremen
3.8%
26
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern14103142123033
2Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1485132201229
3Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1483334201427
4RB Leipzig148332315827
5Freiburg147342019124
6Stuttgart146532924523
7Mainz 05Mainz146442519622
8Borussia DortmundDortmund146442521422
9Werder Bremen146442224-222
10Wolfsburg146353125621
11Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach146352319421
12Union BerlinUnion Berlin144551315-217
13Augsburg144461627-1116
14Hoffenheim143561926-714
15St Pauli143291119-811
16Heidenheim1431101831-1310
17Holstein Kiel1412111437-235
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum1403111135-243


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