Bayern Munich rid themselves of the nightmare of Frankfurt by claiming two victories last week and they’ll be looking to finish 2023 with a win over Wolfsburg.
Bayern were stunned on their last domestic away trip as they were thrashed 5-1 by a ruthlessly efficient Eintracht Frankfurt, but Thomas Tuchel’s side ensured they didn’t lose any ground on Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend as they breezed past Stuttgart 3-0.
The perfomance and result was one of Bayern’s most impressive of the season so far given Stuttgart’s stellar start to the campaign.
However, another potential banana skin awaits in midweek as they travel to Wolfsburg. Wednesday’s hosts currently sit in mid-table as the conclusion of the Hinrunde approaches.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Bayern’s final game of 2023.
Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich H2H Record (Last Five Games)
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Maxence Lacroix’s red card in Saturday’s win at Darmstadt means he’ll miss Bayern’s visit on Wednesday. He’ll likely be replaced by Cedric Zesiger in Niko Kovac’s back three.
The hosts are without several injured stars, all of whom are expected to return in the new year. Rogerio, Patrick Wimmer, Mattias Svanberg, Lukas Nmecha and Amin Sarr are absent.
Wolfsburg predicted lineup vs Bayern (3-5-2): Casteels; Bornauw, Jenz, Zesiger; Baku, Kaminski, Vranckx, Gerhardt, Maehle; Majer, Wind.
Illness ruled out both Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka on Sunday, but Aleksandar Pavlovic was impressive in the usual pivot’s absence. The 19-year-old could continue in the team alongside Raphael Guerreiro if Kimmich and Goretzka aren’t 100%.
Alphonso Davies picked up a knock in Sunday’s win and is a doubt for Wednesday. The Canadian could join the likes of Serge Gnabry, Bouna Sarr, Kingsley Coman and Noussair Mazraoui on the sidelines.
Matthijs de Ligt returned to the bench at the weekend and is available once more.
Bayern predicted lineup vs Wolfsburg (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, De Ligt, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Tel; Kane.
Tuchel must be desperate to get to the winter break given Bayern’s injury list and Die Roten have another tricky fixture against their former boss on Wednesday. Niko Kovac, however, is yet to enjoy revenge over his former employers since joining Wolfsburg.
His side are a middling outfit that doesn’t excel in any particular area but they will definitely test Bayern’s build-up on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Wednesday’s hosts are without star defender Lacroix and, while Bayern will be keen for 2023 to conclude, they’ll make sure they end the year with three points.
There will be no Frankfurt repeat on this occasion.
Prediction: Wolfsburg 0-2 Bayern Munich
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90Mins
