Previewing Bayern Munich vs. Nurnberg

After an interesting week in which Bayern's squad were pictured in Bavarian lederhosen at the now-annual Paulaner brewery photo shoot, Pep Guardiola's side will be hoping to get back to business this weekend when they face their old enemy, FC Nurnberg. 

In the 187th Bavarian derby between the two clubs, Bayern will be hoping to continue their undefeated campaign in the Bundesliga thus far, as Nurnberg will be desperate for at least a point in this tasty encounter. 

Bayern have came through their two initial games unscathed, albeit against pedestrian opponents in Gladbach and then Frankfurt on Saturday, with six points intact as Pep and his squad continue to mould a new age for the German and European champions. 

Nurnberg, on the other hand, have struggled in both of their initial fixtures. First, against fellow relegation battlers Hoffenheim in which two late second half goals were enough to rescue them a point, and then again against Hertha Berlin the following week in which Hiroshi Kiyotake's last minute free-kick again saved them from blushes. No more than simply hanging on, for Michael Wiesinger's side at the moment. 

When: Saturday, August 24, 2:30 p.m. GMT (8:30 a.m. ET)

Where: The Allianz Arena, Munich

Watch: ESPN UK

Bayern player to watch: Franck Ribery

Although Bayern's new season hasn't kicked off with the same tantalizing form that they ended the last one in, Franck Ribery has wasted no time with his quest to confirm his talent as equal to that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Despite only playing two games, Ribery has already clocked up an assist and five key passes between both games, with an average of nine successful dribbles in each game. According to stats website WhoScored.com the Frenchman has easily been one of Bayern's best players this season and, as such, Nurnberg's greatest threat. 

Nurnberg player to watch: Daniel Ginczek

The former Dortmund youth striker has done fantastically well for Der Club since joining in the summer, with a tally of one goal and assist in his first two games for the new side. 

In particular, it was Ginczek's goal in the initial game against Hoffenheim that won his side the vital point, while it was his through ball in the second game against Hertha Berlin that set up Josip Drmic's opening goal against the visiting side. Young, talented and hungry, Ginczek is quickly proving himself invaluable to Nurnbeg. 

Prediction

Although Bayern haven't been at their best in the opening weeks of this season's Bundesliga campaign, and Nurnberg have proven rather industrious in their ability to come back from losing positions in the past two games, it seems unlikely that the game will result in anything but a comprehensive win for the champions. Nurnberg are simply too weak at the moment, and Bayern too strong. 

Bayern 3-0 Nurnberg