Hannover vs Bayern Munich Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Haydn Cunningham Dec 15, 2015 @ 10:01 pm

It doesn’t look quite as rosy for Hannover who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot. They’re behind Eintracht Frankfurt on goal difference and have now won just 1 match in their last 5. The latest defeat was to bottom of the table Hoffenheim who only just had managed 10 points all season before a rare victory saw them leapfrog Stuttgart. It also handed Hoffenheim their first victory under Huub Stevens. Hannover were desperately unlucky when Ceyhun Gulseham’s header struck both crossbar and post in the same incident before bouncing to safety. Hannover had a mini resurgence just over a month ago with 3 Bundesliga wins from 4 but are once again struggling. Hannover also handed 18-year old Allan Saint-Maximin his first start for the club after scoring against Schalke last weekend but it is hardly the most ideal circumstances for the 18-year old to prove his worth when they’re in such a dogfight.

Pep Guardiola’s side confirmed they would lead the Bundesliga at the winter break after a 2-0 home victory over newly-promoted Ingolstadt. With just 1 round left in the Bundesliga, Munich have a 5 point gap which insures they’ll head into the new year top of the table. Second half goals from Robert Lewandowski and Philipp Lahm secured the victory in likely and unlikely fashion. Lewandowksi scored his 23^rd goal of the season whilst it was a 1^st of the season for captain, Lahm. Thiago Alcantara was back from an ankle injury he sustained on international duty for Spain and played the majority of the 2^nd half having come on for Arturo Vidal. Guardiola was full of praise for Ingolstadt saying they were the best side they had faced all season as they did test Munich in long periods.

Look away now Hannover fans as Bayern Munich have won the previous 8 meetings between these two. There has been some demolition jobs in recent years too as Munich have won by 3 or more goals on 5 of the last 7 occasions. Thankfully for Hannover they’re at home as in 27 meetings travelling to Munich they’ve lost 24 times and won just once! Lewandowski has almost scored more goals individually (15) in the Bundesliga this season than Hannover have all season as a team (18). Hannover’s reliance on Hiroshi Kiyotake has been evident with the Japanese international missing since picking up an injury for Japan in the middle of November.

As mentioned, Hannover will continue to miss Kiyotake from midfield. The hosts are also with Artur Sobiech and Uffe Bech upfront and them three have contributed 7 of the 18 goals Hannover have scored in the league. Felix Klaus is only a doubt in midfield. Bayern Munich will be missing Jerome Boateng through suspension after he picked up his 5^th yellow card of the season against Ingolstadt. Mehdi Benatia and Franck Ribery have already had their injury problems this season and both picked up muscle injuries in the midweek victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. Mario Gotze has been missing for 2 months but he could return to light training imminently.

Hannover

Stats: W-4 L-2 D-10

Recent Form - LLWLL

Bayern Munich

Stats: W-14 L-1 D-1

Recent Form - WWLWW

Head-to-head record:

Possible Line-ups

Hannover (4-2-3-1) – Zieler, Sakai, Marcelo, Schulz, Albornoz, Gulselam, Sane, Karaman, Andreasen, Prib, Saint-Maximin

Bayern Munich (4-3-3) – Neuer, Lahm, Badstuber, Boateng, Rafinha, Vidal, Thiago, Alonso, Coman, Muller, Lewandowski

Injury List/Suspended Players

Hannover – Boesnich (sus), Bender (inj), Jedvaj (inj)
Bayern Munich – Boateng (sus), Benatia (inj), Ribery (inj), Robben (inj), Alaba (inj), Douglas Costa (inj), Bernat (inj), Gotze (inj)

League Positions