Monchengladbach vs. Bayern Munich: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Two of the Bundesliga's most in-form clubs meet at the Borussia-Park on Saturday as Borussia Monchengladbach host Bayern Munich in round 15 of the Bundesliga.
The Fohlen lost six consecutive games early in the campaign, ultimately leading to Lucien Favre's resignation as head coach, but they have since turned things around brilliantly under Andre Schubert.
Initially named interim trainer, he convinced the club to keep him around on a permanent basis after earning six consecutive Bundesliga wins to start his career as manager. And now, approximately two-and-a-half months later, Gladbach stand fourth in the league table.
Unlike Gladbach, Bayern have been remarkably consistent throughout the current campaign, their only slip in domestic play coming in a scoreless draw away to Eintracht Frankfurt in October. With 13 wins in 14 games—nine of which have seen them score three or more goals—Pep Guardiola's men are utterly dominating the Bundesliga.
Despite Bayern's brilliance, Gladbach captain Granit Xhaka insisted earlier this week that his side will take the game to their guests. "We will not be as open as against Hoffenheim, but we will certainly not park the bus," he said, via ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld.
Attacking Bayern is tempting fate, though, and Xhaka and company may have to rely on a bit of luck if they are to take a point or more. The Bavarian side are in good form and can secure top spot in the league table heading into the winter break with a win on Saturday.
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT / 9:30 a.m. EST / 3:30 p.m. local time
Venue: Borussia-Park, Monchengladbach
TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. only), BT Sport Europe (UK only, on time delay beginning 11:45 p.m.)
Live Stream: FoxSoccer2Go (U.S. only), Not available (UK only)
Form Guide
| Monchengladbach | Bayern |
| Hoffenheim: Draw | Hertha BSC: Win |
| Sevilla: Win | Olympiakos: Win |
| Hannover: Win | Schalke: Win |
| Ingolstadt: Draw | Stuttgart: Win |
| Juventus: Draw | Arsenal: Win |
Predicted Lineups
Monchengladbach
Gladbach's injury list has grown significantly in recent weeks, and the hosts will have to manage without Ibrahima Traore, Andre Hahn, Alvaro Dominguez, Martin Stranzl and Patrick Herrmann.
Their minimal options on the right wing may mean that Josip Drmic is deployed wide and right of center. Alternatively, the Switzerland international could replace Lars Stindl at center forward, moving the former Hannover man to the wing.
Possible Monchengladbach starting XI: Sommer; Korb, Christensen, Nordtveit, Wendt; Drmic, Xhaka, Dahoud, Johnson; Raffael, Stindl.
Bayern
Douglas Costa and David Alaba have been ruled out of Saturday's game, and they will join Juan Bernat, Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara and Franck Ribery in the stands. There is a question mark over Arjen Robben, who's had muscular problems this week but could be fit to play.
Possible Bayern starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Benatia, Boateng, Rafinha; Martinez, Alonso, Vidal; Muller, Lewandowski, Coman.
Players to Watch
"False" strikers Raffael and Lars Stindl have formed an excellent partnership this season and could make the difference for Gladbach on Saturday. Fabian Johnson has also been in excellent form, having scored four goals in November.
Granit Xhaka is always one worth a close look, while Saturday could be a big game for youngsters Andreas Christensen and Mahmoud Dahoud.
From Bayern's side, youngster Kingsley Coman has been brilliant in recent weeks and will likely be the primary playmaker in Costa's absence. Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski have been two of Europe's most brilliant forwards this season, each scoring 20 goals for club.
Key Battles
Raffael vs. Jerome Boateng
Of all Gladbach players, Raffael is probably the most dangerous. The Brazilian attacker is an excellent dribbler, creator and has developed into an excellent finisher. He also has a knack for elevating his level of performance in big games, and he could be quite a handful for the Bayern defense.
Opposite Raffael will be Jerome Boateng, arguably Europe's best center-back at the moment. He's hardly put a foot wrong all season in defense and has also added a new dimension to his game, "quarterbacking" the Bayern attack from deep areas.
Thomas Muller vs. Oscar Wendt
When Bayern need a goal, Muller delivers more often than not, either with the finish or assist. Gladbach may prove to be hard to break down, so Saturday's match may be another fixture in which the Germany international has to find the net by one means or another.
Wendt has been a big influence on the Gladbach defense since moving to Germany from Copenhagen in 2011. He has good all-round ability on the wing and has proven to be even capable of scoring the occasional goal, although he'll have to be careful not to let Muller get too far away.
Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)
Monchengladbach: 17/2
Draw: 9/2
Bayern: 100/333
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