Important Facts
- Bayern leads after 20 games with 51 points and a six-point lead over Dortmund; Hoffenheim is third (42) and can close the gap on the leaders.
- Hoffenheim travels with five Bundesliga wins in a row, most recently 3-1 against Union with a brace from Kramaric; away wins in Bremen and Frankfurt underline their stability.
- Bayern will be without Neuer, who is out with gastroenteritis, so Urbig is set to start; Guerrero’s calf strain also weakens the left side and fuels the impression of recent defensive sloppiness.
- There have been no draws in the last five encounters, with Bayern winning four and always leading at halftime; the last three wins came with a margin of at least three goals.
- Bayern are clear favorites at home despite odds of 1.3, but “Both teams to score: Yes” looks valuable thanks to Hoffenheim’s 100% scoring streak in five games and Bayern’s recent goals conceded.
Six points ahead of Dortmund, but with a slight dip in form: Bayern go into their home game at the Allianz Arena as leaders, and suddenly the title race feels less comfortable. Hoffenheim travel to Munich in strong form, sitting third with 42 points and with a realistic chance of closing the gap on the top three. In the last league match in September 2025, Bayern won 4-1 in Sinsheim, which fits with Munich’s dominance in this fixture.
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
- Date and time: February 8, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 21)
This makes “Both teams to score: Yes” seem quite logical against Hoffenheim’s reliable finishing via Kramaric. The double chance on Hoffenheim is the riskier approach, but their five-game winning streak, their power in transition, and Bayern’s recent defensive lapses at least provide a plausible route – provided the visitors survive the initial wave.
Bayern form & record check
Kompany is likely to stick with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Urbig scheduled to start in goal. In this prediction, the back four consists of Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, and Davies, with the plan to play high up the pitch and push the ball quickly into midfield. Kimmich and Pavlovic are the most likely duo in the double six, with Musiala behind them distributing the ball to Kane between the lines. With Neuer currently out with gastroenteritis, Urbig is the most obvious option, with Ulreich the clear alternative. Guerreiro’s calf strain pushes Davies further towards the left side as a starter, with Ito a possible adjustment if Bayern want a little more stability in their build-up play. Ndiaye is still ineligible to play in the UEFA Champions League, so the rotation in midfield is likely to rely mainly on Kimmich, Pavlovic, and Goretzka.
Hoffenheim form & record check
Hoffenheim are on a run in the league that has suddenly changed the way their opponents talk about them. Last weekend, they beat Union Berlin 3-1, with Kramaric scoring twice. Prior to that, TSG won 2-0 away at Werder Bremen and 3-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt. At home, they also narrowly beat Leverkusen 1-0 and thrashed Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-1, so the run had both control and plenty of power. The football fits Ilzer’s instructions: early pressing, direct forward movement and lots of runs behind the ball. Interestingly, this is exactly the kind of test that Tah warned about. There are a few clear absences: Hlozek and Campbell are out, Machida remains sidelined. Nevertheless, the offensive framework remains stable, carried by Kramaric and supporting runners such as Touré. Baumann’s leadership at the back and the confidence of a team chasing Dortmund and keeping Stuttgart at bay make this trip one with a clear message.
Ilzer is likely to stick with his 4-3-3, even if this is more of a prediction than a confirmed starting lineup.
Baumann should start in goal, behind Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, and Hajdari, and Hoffenheim will likely maintain the aggressive forward defending and early counter-pressing that has characterized their best phases this season. In midfield, Kramaric is seen as an important link player alongside Avdullahu and Prömel, allowing the front line to quickly get involved in transition moments. Up front, Touré, Asllani, and Lemperle are the expected trio, partly because Hlozek is out and Campbell is also unavailable. Machida and Frees are still missing at the back, so the center-back pairing looks set.
Bayern – Hoffenheim Head-to-head & statistics
The results of the last five encounters have been fairly one-sided: Bayern won four times, Hoffenheim once, and there were no draws. In September 2025, Bayern won 4-1 in Sinsheim, having previously won 4-0 away and 5-0 in Munich in 2025. Hoffenheim’s only success in this series was a 4-2 home win in 2024, with Bayern also winning 3-0 at home in 2024. There is a clear pattern in this sequence: Bayern have won the last three encounters, each time by at least three goals. It’s not just about the final score, because Bayern have led at half-time in each of the last five meetings, which has repeatedly forced Hoffenheim into risky chasing. Another recurring theme is the number of goals scored, with every game exceeding the 2.5-goal mark, a useful historical indication of an open game if Hoffenheim can do its part.
