Bayern Munich will be looking to continue their excellent run of form when they lock horns with 1.FC Koln on Saturday. The Bavarians secured their 13th consecutive Champions League win in midweek when they beat Lokomotiv 2-1 and are heading into this game on the back of a seven-game winning streak in all competitions, during which they have netted a whopping 25 goals.
Predicted Bayern Munich Lineup Vs 1.FC Koln
Defence
With RB Leipzig leading the table and Borussia Dortmund breathing down the neck, Hansi Flick is unlikely to take any risks by fielding a rotated defensive setup this weekend. So Bouna Sarr, for one, is expected to continue on the bench, with Benjamin Pavard starting at right-back.
The German tactician doesn’t have too many options on the opposite flank as Alphonso Davies is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines. Lucas Hernandez, therefore, is tipped to continue at left-back.
There could be one change in central defence though, with Jerome Boateng coming in at the expense of Niklas Sule, who didn’t have the best of games against Lokomotiv in midweek. The German is set to partner David Alaba at the heart of Bayern’s four-man backline.
Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, is the undisputed starter in goal, especially having emerged as one of the best performers in the last game.
Midfield
No changes are expected in central midfield for Bayern Munich this weekend. Leon Goretzka was taken off at half-time against Lokomotiv, so he should once again get the nod ahead of Marc Roca and Javi Martinez.
Goretzka is expected to partner the ever-present figure of Joshua Kimmich at the base of Bayern’s 4-2-3-1 setup. We could also expect Thomas Muller to return to his natural number ten role, at the expense of Corentin Tolisso.
Attack
Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry were both included in the bench in Bayern’s last game. Gnabry, in particular, even featured as a sub and is tipped to come back into the starting lineup.
Flick may still be cautious regarding the return of Sane, who just recovered from an injury. So Kingsley Coman is once again expected to occupy the wider attacking role, even though the ex-Manchester City star is almost guaranteed to feature in the second half.
Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, surprisingly failed to find the back of the net against Lokomotiv. But having netted a hat-trick in the last Bundesliga match, the Pole will be desperate to extend his scoring tally in the league this weekend.
