Wolfsburg vs. Bayern Munich: Preview and TV schedule

The Bundesliga is back from the Winterpause, and the first match of the second half of the season will feature Germany's top two teams. VfL Wolfsburg host Bayern Munich to kick off the Rückrunde, and if it is similar to the first meeting between the two sides this year, then we will be very pleased. Bayern defeated Wolfsburg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena back in August, in an open contest where Pep Guardiola's men took a two-goal lead but die Wölfe came back and nearly took a point.

Still undefeated in the league, Bayern Munich have an 11-point lead over second-place Wolfsburg. Dieter Hecking's men are firmly in second, though, with a six-point gap separating them from Bayer Leverkusen. Outside of the top two in the Bundesliga, the table is incredibly congested, with just 13 points being the difference between third place and last place. Therefore, Wolfsburg will want to avoid a slow start to the second half of the year in order to escape that chaos.

Even getting a point against the Bavarian giants is a great result for any other team in the league. To have a shot, you probably need to score at least twice, and the home side might just be capable of doing so. Although Wolfsburg have scored 33 times, their joint-top scorers (Naldo and Ivica Olić) both have just five. But, 10 different players have scored at least two goals. This shows the versatility of the team, and demonstrates that the goals can come from virtually anyone in the lineup. Unfortunately, left back Ricardo Rodriguez will have his hands full with Arjen Robben, and probably won't get to venture forward as much as usual. However, if Wolfsburg manage to win a set piece in a dangerous area, he has a left foot that may be capable of beating Manuel Neuer.

The strikeforce for Bayern has been stronger, yet more concentrated. Robben is the leading scorer with 10, but Thomas Müller, Mario Götze, and Robert Lewandowski each have seven. With the return of Frank Ribery, they have been able to flog off Xherdan Shaqiri to Inter, and it hasn't hurt the wealth of attacking talent that Guardiola can draw from.

Out: Javi Martinez (knee), Philipp Lahm (ankle), Thiago Alcântara (knee).

After going through a stretch of the season where it seemed like every midfielder that Bayern had was out with a knee injury, the squad has gotten much healthier. Wolfsburg's injury issues will come at defensive midfield, after the tragic death of Junior Malanda and Joshua Guilavogui's groin issue, someone will have to be played out of position. Otherwise, a change from the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation may be necessary. Out of favour right back Christian Träsch could deputise here.

VfL Wolfsburg: Diego Benaglio, Sebastian Jung, Naldo, Robin Knoche, Ricardo Rodriguez, Luiz Gustavo, Christian Träsch, Ivan Perišić, Kevin de Bruyne, Vierinha, Ivica Olić.

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Jerôme Boateng, Dante, David Alaba, Juan Bernat, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso, Arjen Robben, Mario Götze, Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski.