Bundesliga | Gameweek 20

Feb 1, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Allianz Arena

Bayernvs.Holstein Kiel

Match preview

Bayern created surprisingly few chances against Freiburg, having averaged almost five per game in their previous 18 league matches, compared to just two last weekend.

Vincent Kompany's side are still averaging almost three goals a game in their last 10 outings, having scored on 29 occasions, but they have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight Bundesliga games.

Despite his success in the German top flight, Kompany has come under pressure for his side's performances in the Champions League, with a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday only enough to secure a place in the last 16.

In their previous encounter, the hosts thrashed Holstein Kiel 6-1, finding the back of the net three times in the opening 13 minutes.

The home side have little to complain about in terms of results, having won six of their last seven matches.

Bayern's home form in the 2024/25 season has been phenomenal, considering their only defeat at the Allianz Arena was a 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal on 3 December, and they have won 12 and drawn one of their other 13 home games.

As for the away side, they go into Saturday's clash having scored twice against Champions League chasers Wolfsburg, although they only managed 0.22 xG and two shots on target.

Holstein Kiel currently occupy one of the two automatic relegation spots, but are just two points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Stork head coach Marcel Rapp will be delighted with his side's recent goalscoring form, having netted 14 times in their last five league games, exactly the same number as in their opening 14 league matches.

Holstein Kiel's record is more mixed, with two wins, two losses and a draw from their last five matches, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Rapp will be fearing the worst on Saturday as the visitors are winless in all but one of their 11 away games in the 2024/25 season, having lost seven and drawn three of their last 10 away matches.

Recent Performance

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:LWWWWW

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):WWWLWW

Holstein Kiel Bundesliga form:LWLWLD

Team News

Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, while defender Hiroki Ito and goalkeeper Daniel Peretz are also on the sidelines.

Raphael Guerreiro has been a regular at left-back and could be joined at the back by Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae to provide cover for Manuel Neuer.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka has been ruled out until the end of February with a hamstring injury, which could see Joshua Kimmich partnered by Aleksandar Pavlovic.

Holstein Kiel midfielder Nicolai Remberg is suspended, while Marvin Schulz is struggling for fitness, and their absences could see Rapp opt for Lewis Holtby, Magnus Knudsen and Armin Gigovic in midfield.

Steven Skrzybski and Phil Harres are likely to start in attack, with striker Alexander Bernhardsson not expected to return from a knee injury until March.

Centre-backs Patrick Erras, Carl Johansson and Colin Kleine-Bekel are all struggling with injuries, so Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda may be called upon in their place.

Possible starting lineup

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane

Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:

Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Holtby, Knudsen, Gigovic, Porath; Skrzybski, Harres