Bundesliga Preview: Hannover 96 vs Bayern Munich
Mirko Slomka’s Hannover 96 take on Louis Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich on Saturday at the AWD-Arena in Hanover. The clash is crucial for both sides as the UEFA Champions League qualifying berth is at stake. The reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena ended as a
comfortable 3-0 victory for Bayern in October last year.
Hannover 96
The Hanover side has had a brilliant season considering they finished 15th last season and could be well on way to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
The Die Roten have only lost once in the last five games in the Bundesliga which was a defeat to second placed Bayer Leverkusen back in January. A win for Hannover 96 would take them five points clear of the Bavarians and would definitely boost their chances
for Europe next season.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have had a mixed season after winning the domestic double and reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League last year. Bayern are virtually out of the title race and sit in fourth place, 16 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
The Bavarians are coming from a shock defeat at home at the hands of rivals http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Schalke-04-c39204 in the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, March 2. The Munich giants have won three of the last five matches played in all competitions but have not won in the
last two which includes home defeats to Schalke and Borussia Dortmund.
A win for Bayern would take them to third place and the two sides will swap places in the table.
Team news
Hannover 96
Die Roten will be without first choice goalkeeper Robert Zieler and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Schmiedebach-c23439 will start in the centre of midfield while Lars Stindl and Konstantin Rousch are expected to start in wider midfield
roles. Didier Ya Konan and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mohammed-Abdellaoue-c26469 would start upfront for the Hanover side.
Bayern Munich
Die Bayern are expected to start with the same team that lost to Schalke in midweek in the German Cup. Mario Gomez will start as the lone striker with Thomas Muller playing just behind him while Franck Ribery and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arjen-Robben-c6521 would start on the wings to
give the visitors the attacking edge.
Key players
Mario Gomez
The German has been in brilliant goal scoring form this season and has already scored 32 goals this season for Bayern. The striker will be expecting to continue with the goals and take his side to third place.
Didier Ya Konan
The 27-year-old Ivorian has scored 12 goals for his team this season and will be expecting to increase the tally in front of the home fans and ensure that his side remain in contention for Europe.
Prediction
Bayern have not lost to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hannover-96-c39492 since September 2008 and have won the last four matches against them. Hannover have been in a good run of form recently while Bayern are struggling for results. A draw would be a fair result for either side and the two
teams are expected to share points.
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