Saturday's clash at the Allianz-Arena between Bayern Munich and Hannover 96 features two teams who have played good football so far this campaign but who have not yet reached their potential. Last season's Liga and Pokal champions Bayern are top of the table with 14 points and unbeaten through six matches, but will be disappointed that they have drawn twice so far. Hannover have picked up ten points, winning three times despite having scored just five goals.
Bayern Munich vs. Hannover 96: Preview and TV schedule
Bayern Munich will be looking to maintain their position atop the Bundesliga while Hannover 96 aim to continue the solid start they have made in league play.
Dennis Grombkowski
Last year, FC Bayern won both meetings, 2-0 in Munich, and 4-0 in Hannover. This time around, Bayern boss Pep Guardiola is without a good portion of his midfield due to various knee injuries, and early season fatigue may already be setting in after a Tuesday trip to Moscow against CSKA. Depending on who Pep decides to rest, Hannover may fancy themselves to take a point on the road.
Obviously Bayern will dominate possession, but as we have seen with them at times this year, like the season opening match against Wolfsburg, they are vulnerable on the counter-attack. Hannover’s sturdy defence has conceded just four goals so far this season, but keeper Ron-Robert Zieler will have to be at his best to keep out the formidable Bayern attack.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Holger Badstuber (thigh), Javi Martinez (knee). In doubt: Thiago Alcântara (knee).
Hannover 96 injuries and suspensions
Out: Andre Hoffmann (knee), Marcelo (suspension.), Lars Stindl (knee), Edgar Prib (knee).
There are some big misses for both sides, but Bayern have much more quality in depth. Hoffmann is a great centre back, even at 21, and missing captain Stindl surely will hurt.
Projected lineups
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha, Jerôme Boateng, David Alaba, Xherdan Shaqiri, Xabi Alonso, Juan Bernat, Mario Götze, Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski.
Hannover 96: Ron-Robert Zieler, Christian Schulz, Felipe, Miiko Albornoz, Hiroko Sakai, Leon Andreasen, Hiroshi Kiyotake, Manuel Schmiedebach, Ceyhun Gülselam, Leandro Bittencourt, Joselu.
Match Date/Time: 5:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Allianz-Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: Sport1 (Germany), My German TV + (U.S.A.)
Online: Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
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