In the past, defending has been a problem for Hoffenheim. Thanks to their brilliant attack last year they scored the third-most goals in the Bundesliga with 72, but their poor defending allowed 70 goals, tied for second-worst. Committing money to buying players to help in that area was a priority this summer for Hoffenheim, and it appears to have worked. This year, they have scored 17 and conceded 14, putting their attack at fourth best in the league, but now the defence is 10th, an improvement of seven spots. It has translated to a fifth-place spot in the league, four spots higher than they finished last season. This weekend, Markus Gisdol's side will go up against the most prolific attack and best defence in the league. Bayern Munich have been rolling along so far, and are still undefeated.
Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim: Time, TV schedule and how to watch the Bundesliga online
Fifth-placed Hoffenheim pay a visit to banged-up Bayern Munich Saturday, looking for a victory that could spring them into the Champions League places.
Last time out, Thomas Müller's hat trick led the Bavarians to a 4-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. He now has six goals and five assists on the season. Even so, he may not even start, with Franck Ribéry set to get more time as he completes the final stages of recovering from a back injury. Bayern's depth is supreme and will be dangerous no matter who starts on the wings.
Hoffenheim’s attackers have done a good job putting the ball in the net, and four players have scored three goals or more this season. Ádám Szalai and Roberto Firmino have three each, and both Anthony Modeste and Tarik Elyounoussi have four. Both Szalai and Modeste have had success starting as the lone striker in this 4-2-3-1, but Modeste figures to get the start here as Szalai did last time out. Firmino scored two goals in that game, a 4-3 loss for Hoffenheim to promoted FC Köln. The defensive weakness isn’t completely gone, and the attackers again will have their work cut out for them against the top team in the league.
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Claudio Pizarro (thigh), Holger Badstuber (thigh), Pepe Reina (calf), David Alaba (knee), Tom Starke (ankle), Javi Martinez (knee), Philipp Lahm (ankle), Thiago Álcântara (knee).
Hoffenheim injuries and suspensions
Out: Ermin Bicakcic (thigh), Jin-Su Kim (ankle).
When will the injuries stop for Bayern? The recent injuries to Lahm and Alaba could have the most impact of any so far in Pep Guardiola's reign. The pair will sorely be missed, but it is a chance for players like Sebastian Rode to step up. It could also mean a change of the system entirely. Fortunately for Pep, he has had some time with the international break. This is a match which Hoffenheim could steal a win, especially if Bayern aren't playing their usual selves or change their system due to these injuries.
Projected lineups
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Rafinha, Jérôme Boateng, Dante, Juan Bernat, Xabi Alonso, Sebastian Rode, Arjen Robben, Mario Götze, Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski.
Hoffenheim: Oliver Baumann, Sebastian Rudy, Niklas Süle, Tobias Strobl, Andreas Beck, Pirmin Schwegler, Eugen Polanski, Tarik Elyounoussi, Roberto Firmino, Kevin Volland, Anthony Modeste.
Match Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
TV: GolTV USA, MyGermanTV + (U.S.), Betway (U.K.), GolTV (Canada), Sky Bundesliga 1/HD (Germany)
Online: GolTV Online (U.S.), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
