Bayern Munich vs. Wolfsburg: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Germany's defending league champions and cup holders face off on Tuesday as Bayern Munich play host to last season's DFB-Pokal winners, Wolfsburg, in the sixth round of the 2015-16 Bundesliga. It's a big test for both sides and will serve as a warm-up for their meeting in the Pokal in October.

Last season, Wolfsburg emerged as Bayern's most immediate domestic challengers, finishing second in the league before winning the Pokal. And although the Bavarians won the Bundesliga by a 10-point margin, Dieter Hecking's men handed them a 4-1 drubbing in January before edging them in penalties in August's DFL-Supercup.

Pep Guardiola's men are already four points ahead of Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, and in an interview with Kicker on Sunday, defender Jerome Boateng claimed Borussia Dortmund have re-emerged as Bayern's biggest challengers. Hecking and his side will aim to reclaim some respect in Tuesday's match, which could leave them within striking distance of top spot in the table.

At the same time, Bayern will be keen to overcome familiar demons after going winless against the Lower Saxony side for over a year. Although they have lost their greatest weapon in Kevin De Bruyne, who masterminded their win in January, Wolfsburg are nonetheless dangerous and represent the biggest test yet for Guardiola and company.

However, having won every competitive match since the Supercup, Bayern enter Tuesday's match in great form and will be regarded as clear favorites.

Date: Tuesday, September 22

Time: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. local time

Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich

TV Info: Fox Soccer 1 (U.S. only), BT Sport 2 (UK only, on time delay, starting 20:45 p.m.)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only)

Form Guide

Bayern Munich	Wolfsburg
Darmstadt: Win	Hertha BSC: Win
Olympiacos: Win	CSKA Moscow: Win
Augsburg: Win	Ingolstadt: Draw
Leverkusen: Win	Schalke: Win
Hoffenheim: Win	Koln: Draw

Predicted Lineups

Bayern Munich

Robert Lewandowski missed the Darmstadt game on Saturday but returned to training the following day and should be fit to face Wolfsburg. Javi Martinez could make his long-awaited return to the starting lineup, but if Guardiola plays it safe, he'll more likely use Philipp Lahm in midfield and Rafinha at right-back. Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mehdi Benatia and Holger Badstuber remain sidelined.

Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Alaba, Bernat; Lahm, Vidal, Thiago; Muller, Lewandowski, Costa.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Wolfsburg

Hecking has experimented with a 4-1-4-1 formation as of late, but against a dangerous, attacking Bayern side, he will perhaps be more likely to opt for a double pivot in midfield and a 4-2-3-1 shape. Hecking will have to decide on a few a few personnel issues, such as whether to start Bas Dost or Nicklas Bendtner in attack. Finally, there are questions as to the fitness of Luiz Gustavo, Robin Knoche and Vieirinha, who have all been struggling with knee problems.

Possible Wolfsburg starting XI: Benaglio; Trasch, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Gustavo, Guilavogui; Caligiuri, Draxler, Schurrle; Dost.

Players to Watch

Bayern can conjure goals from just about anywhere, as demonstrated by Sebastian Rode bagging a goal and an assist from a deep-midfield position on Saturday. If there is one player to look out for, though, it's the red-hot Thomas Muller, who seems to always find a way to score important goals. Lewandowski has also come up aces for the Bavarians multiple times already this season and will be more than a handful for the visitors.

For Wolfsburg, Germany internationals Andre Schurrle and Julian Draxler are ones to watch on the counterattack. Both have shown great potential but will have a lot to prove as they try to make up for De Bruyne's absence in the Wolfsburg attack. Dost is also a real danger man after his brace against Bayern in January. Finally, Gustavo and Dante will have a point to prove against their former club.

Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press

Key Battles

Thomas Muller vs. Ricardo Rodriguez

Whether from tap-ins, counterattacks, penalties or even errant crosses, Thomas Muller has been absolutely lethal for Bayern this season. Now 26 years of age, he's truly in the prime of his career and is flourishing for the Bavarians.

Opposite Muller will be Ricardo Rodriguez, who at 23 years of age has emerged as one of Europe's elite left-backs. A complete package both as an attacking and defensive player, the Switzerland international will need to be at his very best against Bayern. But there is no Wolfsburg player more capable of the task.

Arturo Vidal vs. Julian Draxler

Arturo Vidal was signed to take command of the Bayern midfield as an energetic, ball-winning presence capable of closing down space quickly while offering sound technical abilities on the ball. He's been a key player in all ways this season thus far and scored a brilliant opener against Darmstadt on Saturday.

Wolfsburg's wild card will be Draxler, who will take De Bruyne's former position behind the main striker. The new signing, who turned 22 on Sunday, has shown in the past that he's capable of some world-class performances, especially on the big stage. If Wolfsburg are to take three points, they'll need a big game from him.

Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)

Bayern: 50-139

Draw: 15-4

Wolfsburg: 7-1