Bayern Munich vs. Hamburg: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream, TV Info

On Saturday, Bayern Munich look to build some form and confidence ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk as they take on Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

The two-time defending German champions had an outstanding fall campaign that ended with a record, 11-point lead over Wolfsburg at the winter break. But the Lower Saxony side hammered them 4-1 in the league's restart. Pep Guardiola's side next were held to a draw against Schalke before returning to winning ways with a 2-0 win against Stuttgart last weekend.

The win over Stuttgart won't be enough to lift Bayern to peak confidence, however, and they'll need three points against Hamburg to have truly turned the corner. The good news is, the Munich giants have beaten their northern foes 99 times in their history and could reach three digits on Saturday.

After a poor start to the season that resulted in Mirko Slomka's dismissal as head coach, Hamburg have had their ups and downs but have been on an upward trend in the Bundesliga table, with wins in their last two games propelling them to 12th.

The attacking-midfield combination of Marcell Jansen, Zoltan Stieber and Nicolai Muller has produced three goals and four assists in HSV's last two victories, and ex-Bayern players Jansen and Ivica Olic will be especially motivated as they take on their former club. They'll have it all to do, though, with Bayern hungry to build their form.

Date: Saturday, February 14

Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich

TV Info: Not available (UK only)/Gol TV (U.S. only)

Live Stream: Gol TV (U.S. only)

Form Guide 

Bayern	Hamburg
Freiburg: win	Stuttgart: loss
Mainz: win	Schalke: draw
Wolfsburg: loss	Koln: loss
Schalke: draw	Paderborn: win
Stuttgart: win	Hannover: win

Predicted line-up

BR

Jerome Boateng's suspension was reduced from three games to two this week, meaning that the Germany international will be unavailable to face his former club, Hamburg. In his stead, under-fire center-back Dante will likely partner Mehdi Benatia in front of Manuel Neuer, with David Alaba acting as a third center-back and auxiliary midfielder.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso seem to be Guardiola's preferred duo in the center of the park for now, with Juan Bernat on the left wing. Rafinha and Franck Ribery are fit again, but it may be too soon for either to start. The right-back will more likely be either Sebastian Rode or Mitchell Weiser than the Brazilian, while Thomas Muller may get the nod ahead of Mario Gotze on the left wing opposite Arjen Robben. Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, will relish the chance to gain some confidence by putting a few goals past a susceptible HSV defense.

For Hamburg, the front four of Olic, Jansen, Stieber and Muller seems set in stone for the time being. They've combined well as of late and although the Croat has yet to score since his move from Wolfsburg, his work rate and a general lack of goals from Josef Zinnbauer's other striking options should see him get the nod to start.

In midfield, the captain Van der Vaart is a lock, while his partner will be either Petr Jiracek or new signing Marcelo Diaz. Among the back five, Johan Djourou and Slobodan Rajkovic seem locks in central defense, with Jaroslav Drobny in goal. Heiko Westermann may continue to play at right-back, with Ronny Marcos opposite him on the left flank.

Players to watch

Bayern are always dangerous from all areas of the pitch, as underlined in their most recent game. The front three or four (depending on Guardiola's tactics) may always be the most dangerous, but David Alaba proved in Stuttgart that even the league leaders' defensive players are capable of producing stunning goals.

Above all, Arjen Robben will be the player Bayern rely upon to deliver. The 31-year-old has scored in Bayern's last two matches and is arguably the Bundesliga's best player of the season thus far. Ribery's return could be a boost for Bayern, who aside from Robben have had precisely zero goals and zero assists from their attackers. Yet Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller certainly cannot be written off.

For Hamburg, the dangermen will likely come from midfield, with Olic doing the leg work up front. Muller assisted both of his team's goals in their most recent win, and Jansen has two goals and an assist in the last two matches.

Elsewhere, Rafael van der Vaart is always a threat. He hasn't been at his best for quite some time, but the Dutchman is a veteran whose quality can never be underestimated. He'll be Hamburg's most talented player and could pull a rabbit out of a hat, so to speak, be it from a free-kick or otherwise.

Key Battles

Arjen Robben v Ronny Marcos

Robben has carried Bayern's attack thus far in 2015, and his form in the Bundesliga overall has simply been sensational. Even at 31, he's having one of the best seasons of his career and is showing no signs of slowing down. Against a suspect Hamburg defense, he'll relish his chances.

A year ago, Ronny Marcos had just left Hansa Rostock for HSV. He's become a first-team player but still is very inexperienced, having played just six games this season. It's uncertain as to whether he'll start at left-back (although he's been in the first XI on the left of defense in Hamburg's previous two games), but if he does, he'll face the biggest test of his career to date in Robben.

Marcell Jansen v Sebastian Rode

As mentioned before, Jansen's form at present is excellent and has been a big driving force for Hamburg in the last couple games. The 29-year-old once was a rising star of German football, but never fully found his way after a disappointing spell at Bayern. Facing his former club, he should have no shortage of motivation.

It's unclear as to who Guardiola will select to play on the right of his defense, but based on Mitchell Weiser's suspect defending and the fact that Rafinha is only now beginning to come into fitness, he may use Sebastian Rode at right-back. The ex-Frankfurt man hasn't exactly convinced since the winter break, but the trainer has limited options in his position.

Odds (Via Odds Shark)

Bayern: 1-14

Draw: 9-1

Hamburg: 20-1

@Mr_Bundesliga