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Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
It’s starting again! After a break of almost three weeks, the ball is rolling again in the Bundesliga this Friday and Bayern Munich will meet Borussia Mönchengladbach to kick off the second half of the season. While the record-breaking champions continue to run in circles at the top of the table, the Foals find themselves in what is probably the worst crisis in the club’s recent history. With only one point from the last 5 games, they have slipped into the relegation zone and are only 2 points ahead of the relegation place. Nevertheless, those responsible have held on to the coach and Adi Hütter is allowed to continue coaching the team.
The Bavarians are currently struggling with completely different problems, namely that a number of players are currently absent due to a Corona infection. As many as 8 potential regulars are not available at the moment and we are very curious to see how Bayern will cope with this. Which team we see ahead on Friday evening, you can find out in this Bayern – Gladbach tip.
Bayern – Gladbach Info
– Date & Time: 07.01.2022, 20:30 Uhr
– Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 18
– TV broadcast: Live on Sat. 1 and Livestream on DAZN
Bayern Form & Balance Check
The first half of the season under Julian Nagelsmann is over and so far things are going really well for the young coach. 43 points after 17 matchdays is an impressive number and the lead over 2nd place is already 9 points. In the Champions League, they have a clean slate and have won all 6 of their group matches. Now they have to play RB Salzburg in the round of 16, a must-win game from Bayern’s point of view. Bitter was the elimination against Gladbach in the cup, which made them miss the triumph in the DFB Cup for the 2nd year in a row.
Unrest due to the current situation?
A number of key players are currently absent due to a Corona infection, which is anything but ideal and also limits Bayern in their preparation for the second half of the season. One advantage is the rather short Christmas break this year, then there were only barely two and a half weeks between the 17th and the upcoming 18th matchday. The team was not really able to train optimally, but we are sure that the team will be able to put this turmoil behind them and still put an incredibly good squad on the pitch.
Bayern facts & analysis
– Bayern have won their last 7 competitive games in a row
– Top scorer is Lewandowski with 19 goals
– The record champions have yet to win against Gladbach this season
Gladbach form & balance check
The Foals’ season has been extremely disappointing so far, it has to be said that clearly. After a botched start, a reasonably solid phase followed, with the exhilarating 5-0 victory over Bayern in the cup. But then the team completely collapsed and went off the rails after the 1:4 in the derby against Cologne. The negative highlight was the 0:6 against Freiburg in the stadium and generally the extreme flood of goals conceded. In the past 5 games, Gladbach have conceded a total of 18 goals, which is clearly too many when measured against the individual quality and potential of the squad.
Will Gladbach get out of the crisis with Hütter?
After such a severe crisis, the coach is naturally the first to be questioned. The club’s officials are still protecting the Austrian, but Hütter is unlikely to have much credit left, as the current situation is simply too modest. 14th place after the first half of the season is simply far too low and if Gladbach don’t start a series, the coach will have to pack his bags by the end of the season at the latest.
Gladbach facts & analysis
– The team is winless for 5 games now
– Gladbach have the third weakest defence in the league
– Away from home, Borussia have failed to score in 3 of their 9 games
Predicted line-up – last update on 5 January 2022
Both teams will change personnel for different reasons. Nagelsmann will have to improvise and it is quite possible that Kimmich will have to play in central defence on his return. Musiala could move from the centre to the wing and Sabitzer and Roca could operate on the six. For Gladbach, we expect the three-man backline again and the return of Nico Elvedi. On the six, Neuhaus is an option for Zakaria and in attack, Embolo and Thuram could put Bayern under pressure with their physicality.
Bayern – Gladbach direct comparison & statistics
Even though the direct comparison clearly goes to Bayern, Gladbach has always been an opponent that has caused problems for the record champions in recent years. Of a total of 107 direct games, Bayern have won 51 and Gladbach have been successful 26 times.
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 6-0 (home to Bayern Munich) and 3-2 (home to Borussia Mönchengladbach).
– Bayern have scored in every home game so far
– Of the two must-win games this season, Bayern have not won one against Gladbach
