FC Bayern Munich: A Look Forward to a Testing Weekend

The aura around Bayern is strange. If they would be playing Schalke or Werder this week, the fans would be looking forward to an exciting game, knowing, somehow, that  their beloved "Die Roten" would be the winners. Instead, when the relegation candidates play Bayern, the fans are slightly fearful.

Bayern vs Freiburg

Freibrug visit the Allianz Arena this week with, as usual, "nothing to lose." The two Bundesliga champions of last season could find themselves back in the second division this season. Bayern are, however, in poor form.

In their last four games, Bayern have won only once, drawn twice and lost once. The draws have come against Nuremberg and Koln, the loss against Fiorentina and the win against Hamburg. Due to the draws, a macth against Freiburg could unsettle every fan.

The team news is not too good. Martin Demichelis and Mario Gomez are both injured. Franck Ribery is out of the clash. Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended and Mark Van Bommel is a doubt. Diego Contento may still be out. Hamit Altintop is out of the clash too and Christian Lell is looking after his sister who is suffering from cystic fibrosis.

The starting line for the game will perhaps be something like this: Jorg-Butt; Lahm, Badstuber, Van Buyten, Alaba; Robben, Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Pranjic, Muller; Klose, Olic.

Bastian should be given a good talking to. He is already suspended for the first leg of the quarters of the Champions Leg. He could do without some of those yellow cards that he receives for rash challenges. With the fall in the "suspension rate" of Mark Van Bommel, Schweini perhaps wants to raise his rate.

Freiburg on the other hand have only way to escape due to the number of goals they have conceded. They can only perhaps park the bus in front of goal. However, it will be disgraceful if Bayern cannot beat Freiburg with the side which I have predicted.

Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Freiburg

Leverkusen and Schalke

Schalke have a tough assignment on Friday. They welcome Stuttgart to the Veltins Arena. Schalke might drop points. However they are on good form, having thrashed high flying Frankfurt 4-1 last time out. Stuttgart's last game was a 2-2 draw away to Werder.

Prediction: Schalke 2-1 Stuttgart

Leverkusen play Hamburg this week. They have a point to prove after their first loss of the season to Nuremberg last week. If Leverkusen are to challenge for a Champions League spot, let alone win the Championship, they must stop dropping points.

Since this is a home game, Leverkusen must take full points from it, also because they are playing a close rival in the table. Hamburg thrashed Anderlecht 3-1 on Thursday in the Europa League and will be looking to emulate that result in the league.

However, Toni Kroos is suspended and Sami Hyppia is out of the clash.

Prediction: Levekusen 0-1 Hamburg.

Who will be the big winners this weekend? It might turn out to be Schalke who are at the top at the end of the weekend if Bayern lose and Schalke do indeed win.