As the international break comes to an end, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are host to the bottom half Augsburg Friday at the Allianz Arena in their 11th league game of the season.

The Bavarians defeated third last St Pauli 1-0 on November 9 and have 26 points out of a possible 30, more than double the number of visitors, who are in 13th place sixth with 12 points and Hoffenheim remained at a 0-0 draw on Nov 10

Match example

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The home side will be keen to maintain their status as the only unbeaten team in the Bundesliga, having won their four most recent top-flight matches.

Against St. Pauli, Bayern created little in the final third, but managed to limit their opponents to just three shots, none of which were on target.

Vincent KompanyThe team’s victory against St. Pauli was their second consecutive 1-0 victory, in contrast to their goalscoring streak in the previous six games, when they scored 20 times.

That the Bavarians were strong from a defensive perspective was not lost on Kompany, who highlighted his players’ performances without the ball, telling reporters: “We did well defensively, that was certainly our strength today. We didn’t play as effectively as we could .” moving forward as we have done recently.”

Since lost 4-1 to Barcelona on October 23 in the Champions LeagueBayern has triumphed in the five subsequent games without setbacks.

Kompany’s side boast a remarkable home record as they have won nine of their last eleven games at the Allianz Arena and drawn two, scoring 20 goals and conceding just three in their six home games this season.

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As for Augsburg, they are just four points away from 16th-placed St. Pauli, who occupy the relegation spot in the division play-offs.

Their match against Hoffenheim was closely contested, although the Fuggerstadter arguably had the edge in the match in terms of chances, as they produced sixteen shots compared to Hoffenheim’s eleven.

Manager Jess Thorup praised his side for their defensive resilience in the aftermath of the draw, but said the team relinquished control of proceedings in the second half, saying: “We had a lot of shots and gave away very little defensively. Unfortunately we didn’t .” The second half started well and the opponents had better control of the match.”

In the Bundesliga, Augsburg have managed to score thirteen times, but they have also conceded twenty goals, and these records make them the fifth worst attacking and fourth worst defensive club in the division.

It should be noted that although Thorup’s team are close to the relegation zone, they are undefeated in their four most recent matches, drawing twice and winning twice. They collected eight points from the last fifteen on offer, as many as they had earned. in the previous 13 league games.

The visitors’ away form is worrying as they have been beaten in seven of their last eight away games in the top flight and have only drawn once in that period.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

Form Bayern Munich (all competitions):

Augsburg Bundesliga format:

Augsburg form (all competitions):

Team news

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Bayern will have to find ways to defend against opposition attacks without a defensive midfielder Joao Palhinhawhich has been suspended until January 2025.

Aleksandar Pavlovic is nearing a comeback after a broken collarbone, but if Friday’s match comes too early, Kompany could deploy a double pivot, consisting of Joshua Kimmich And Leon Goretzka.

The hosts will also have to make do without a central defender Hiroki Ito and right back Josip Stanisicbut also as a goalkeeper Sven Ulreichso expected Dayot Upamecano And Kim Minjae to protect Manuel Neuer’s goal.

Meanwhile, Augsburg defender Ree Oxford remains absent due to long COVID, while midfielders Tim Breithaupt And Fredrik Jensen won’t return until early December.

Nediljko Labrovic is almost certain to start between the posts behind a back three Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw And Keven Schlotterbeck.

Kristijan Jakic will probably be selected at the base of a trio next to each other in midfield Frank Onyeka And Arne Maier.

Possible starting line-up for Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane

Possible starting line-up in Augsburg:
Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Maier, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz

We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Augsburg

Although Bayern have only won by small margins in their last two games, they have been in front of goal often throughout the season, and it would not be surprising if they scored several times.

Since the home side will not be able to select a specialist defensive midfielder, Augsburg could create chances in the transition phase, but the Bavarians should still enter Friday’s match as heavy favorites.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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