DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) – Bayern Munich remains unbeaten in 15 league and cup games against German opponents this season, with Vincent Kompany’s side set to face Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
major matches
Stuttgart may be able to hope to take advantage of Bayern’s tough schedule, as Bayern struggled to match Union Berlin’s physical strength during games. 3-2 victory over Union in the German Cup on Wednesday. Bayern won, thanks in part to two own goals by Union players, but came under pressure in the final stages of the game.
Already eight points behind second-placed Bayern, Leipzig must avoid falling further behind when Ole Werner’s side host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Frankfurt are under pressure in seventh place and are at risk of missing out on a place in the Champions League finals.
Hoffenheim, who are in fifth place, will play third-placed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday and if they win they will overtake Dortmund in the standings.
Featured players
Harry Kane’s header in Wednesday’s cup game against Union took the England captain to 25 goals in 21 games for Bayern this season. Five more goals for England would take his tally for club and country to 30.
Ibrahim Maza has taken up the attacking midfield role previously held by Florian Wirths, and has scored three goals and provided two assists in Bayer Leverkusen’s last five competitive matches. score Winning goal against Dortmund They took another step forward in Tuesday’s cup game. Leverkusen visit Augsburg on Saturday.
Who’s out?
Bayern midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic is a doubt after limping off in Wednesday’s cup game against Union.
Frankfurt’s top scorer Jonathan Burkard will reportedly be out until the new year with a muscular injury. Eight goals in 10 Bundesliga games means this is a big blow.
off the field
Mainz and Augsburg will both take part in this weekend’s games with interim managers. Mainz, who are at the bottom of the table, have parted ways with coach Bo Henriksen, who led them to sixth place last season, but have suffered disastrous results this season due to poor discipline. Benjamin Hoffmann will take charge on an interim basis ahead of Friday’s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Augsburg sacked former Germany striker Sandro Wagner on Monday after his team lost eight of 12 Bundesliga games. Manuel Baum will return as coach until the winter break.
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