Explore My Football Facts detailed preview for VfL Wolfsburg vs FC Bayern München in the Bundesliga. Stats, odds, predictions and line-ups for the 17:30 BST match.
VfL Wolfsburg come into this with a varied recent run, but a draw at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach and a point away to SC Freiburg suggest they can stay organized down the stretch. The concern is that their results have also included a 3-6 loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and a 1-2 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving them vulnerable when games open. FC Bayern München, on the other hand, have scored a lot, with four goals against FSV Mainz 05 and VfB Stuttgart, plus five at St. Pauli, which points to a team that can punish any failure. Match prediction: VfL Wolfsburg 1-3 FC Bayern München
Bayern’s recent draw with Heidenheim shows they are not completely immune to being tested, but their overall offensive performance has been much stronger than Wolfsburg’s. Wolfsburg’s best route is likely to be to keep the game compact and try to use their two forwards efficiently, but Bayern’s quality in central areas should still give them the edge. With the head-to-head also heavily in favor of Bayern, the visitors look the most likely winners even if Wolfsburg make them work. A narrow resistance at home is possible, but the numbers still point to Bayern controlling the decisive moments.
Forms guide and team overview
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg’s recent form in the league has been spotty, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five. A draw at SC Freiburg and a goalless draw at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach show they can stay in games, but a 3-6 loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen highlights the exposure they can be defensively.
Their 2-1 win at FC Union Berlin was a useful result, but it comes with a 1-2 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. Generally, the skipper is from a side capable of competing, but not one that has been consistently reliable at either end of the pitch.
VfL Wolfsburg Last 5 results
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern München’s recent form in the league has been strong, with four wins and a draw in their last five. They have scored freely throughout this run, including 4-3 at FSV Mainz 05, 4-2 against VfB Stuttgart and 5-0 at St. Pauli
The 3-3 draw with Heidenheim is the only result that stands out as a red flag as it shows they can drag themselves into a more open contest. Still, the overall trend remains positive and their recent results suggest they have much more attacking drive than Wolfsburg.
FC Bayern Munich Last 5 results
Team news and injury report
VfL Wolfsburg
- Maximilian Arnold (Groin problems)
FC Bayern Munich
- Raphaël Guerreiro (Torn muscle fiber)
Alignments and tactical configuration
VfL Wolfsburg (3-5-2)
Expected lineup: Kamil Grabara (Goalkeeper), Denis Vavro (Defender), Jeanuël Belocian (Defender), Konstantinos Koulierakis (Defender), Christian Eriksen (Midfielder), Joakim Maehle (Midfielder), Patrick Wimmer (Midfielder), Saël Kumbedi (Midfielder), Vinicius de Souza (Midfielder), Daghimfield (Midfielder), Adam Costattaan (Midfielder), D. Pejcinovic (Forward)
VfL Wolfsburg’s predicted 3-5-2 should give them a solid base, and the back three will help them deal with Bayern’s central threat. Christian Eriksen and the full-backs will need to connect the game quickly if Adam Daghim and Dzenan Pejcinovic are to have enough service.
FC Bayern Munich (4-3-1-2)
Expected lineup: Jonas Urbig (Goalkeeper), Hiroki Ito (Defender), Jonathan Tah (Defender), Josip Stanisic (Defender), Min-jae Kim (Defender), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Midfielder), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Midfielder), Konrad Laimer (Midfielder), Leon Goretzka (Midfielder), Leon Goretzka (Midfielder), Jackson Goretzka (Midfielder), (Forward)
FC Bayern München’s predicted 4-3-1-2 gives them a narrow shape that can overload central areas and keep pressure on Wolfsburg’s midfield line. With Jamal Musiala operating between the lines, Bayern should have a good platform to feed Nicolas Jackson and create chances through the middle.
