Bayern Munich – Shalke 04 Match Preview
Bayern Munich lost their first Bundesliga match of the season against Wolfsburg on Friday evening conceding 4 goals in the process, having conceded only 4 times in the first half of the season. The team have to improve their dominance in possession once again and recover from their holiday break. Schalke on the other hand, won their first game of the “Rückrunde” against Hannover and will want to consolidate their top-4 spot now. The new system makes them stronger defensively, but it remains to be seen how they will do without Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in this important match.
The reigning champions will see either Dante and Mehdi Benatia competing for a spot at centre-back, with Sebastian Rode to get another chance on the right, as Philipp Lahm and Rafinha are both injured. It remains to be seen if manager Pep Guardiola will rotate after a very poor performance last weekend or just consider it a minor slip-up and give some of the players another go. Shalke’s Matija Nastasic will start at centre-back again with Christian Fuchs who could start on the left as Dennis Aogo is not yet fully fit. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will most likely play up front, as they will be without Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who is suspended.
Our Probable Formations:
Bayern Munich (3.4.2.1) Neuer, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Rode, Alonso, Schweinsteiger, Bernat, Muller, Robben and Lewandowski.
Shalke 04 (3.4.1.2) Giefer, Howedes, Kirchhoff, Nastasic, Uchida, Barnetta, Neustadter, Fuchs, Meyer, Boateng and Choupo-Moting.
Some Hot Tips:
Bayern have won their last 11 home matches in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have been winning at both half time and full time in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 4 home matches against Schalke in all competitions.
Bayern have won their last 4 home matches against Schalke in all competitions.
Bayern have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 home matches in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 home matches against Schalke in all competitions.