Bundesliga 2022-23: VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Volkswagen Arena will host the Bavarians who are looking for a change of fortunes in Matchday 19 of Bundesliga.

VfL Wolfsburg have had a fair share of points in the recent weeks picking up 13 of a possible 15 points in their last five home games. They have won each of their last three home games at the Volkswagen Arena without conceding a goal. Former Bayern coach, Niko Kovac will be eager to topple his former side. This would see them continue their fine form and have a last stride towards one of the European spots.

Currently sitting at 7th in the table and just 3 points behind Eintracht Frankfurt. They suffered back-to-back losses against Werder in the Bundesliga. Also a 2-1 loss against Union Berlin which saw them crashing out of the DFB Pokal in the Round of 16. All is not lost though for the side from Lower Saxony as a fourth home win without conceding would see them equal a club record (set in Autumn 2014 under Dieter Hecking).

Winless in the Bundesliga in 2023, the German Champions have faced some questions after their dip in form although their head coach Julian Nagelsmann has shrugged off any pessimism by saying that “there are worse crises”. Thrashing Mainz by 4-0 in DFB Pokal in their most recent outing, the signing of Joao Cancelo already looks promising. Although Randal Kolo Muani of Augsburg handed them their third consecutive draw in the Bundesliga.

The Bavarians will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table with their lead cut only to a solitary point. The likes of Union Berlin, Dortmund and RB Leipzig all within breathing distance. The Bavarians have 37 points in 18 games, the lowest return for a team sitting at the top of the Bundesliga at this stage for 11 years. Although this looks just like the promising fixture they would have wanted to get their season back on track as Bayern have the highest win percentage (78%) and points-per-game average (2.49) against Wolfsburg than any other side currently in the Bundesliga.

Kick-off: Sunday, 05-02-2023, 10:00 pm (IST), 04:30 pm (GMT)

VfL Wolfsburg form (all competition): L-L-W-W-L

Bayern Munich form (all competition): W-D-D-D-D

Player to watch

VfL Wolfsburg

Maximilian Arnold

In the deeper areas, Arnold's ball-progressions are awe-inspiring. As he normally plays the ball that allows a chance to be created while stretching the opposition. He mostly prefers receiving the ball with his left foot but is as comfortable in receiving the ball and pinging accurate long-range passes with his right. A genuine presence in the midfield, Kovac will be banking on him to provide the necessary goods to Wind and Kevin Paredes.

Bayern Munich

Leroy Sane

It is not just Sane himself who benefits from his purposeful combination of pace and deep runs. His runs suggest “danger ahead” to opponents, which is why they often follow him. This, in turn, means that his explosive runs, in addition to initiating dangerous ball circulations, repeatedly free up space for teammates. He has already scored 12 times and has 6 assists in his name across all competitions this campaign.

Match facts

• FC Bayern Munich have scored in each of their last 29 Bundesliga games against VFL Wolfsburg. It's the longest scoring streak against any side in the Bundesliga.
• The last time VfL Wolfsburg managed to defeat Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga top flight dates back to January 2015 when they ran out victors by 4-1.
• Munich have failed to win their first three Bundesliga games of a calendar year for the first time since 2007.

Injury and team news

There are not much injury concerns for Kovac who has the full length of his side at his disposal for this fixture. Lukas Nmecha has been missing due to a ruptured pattella since November. While the pairing of Barnouw and Van De Ben has looked solid at the back. Guillavogui got a place in the starting lineup but it is very likely that Kovac will be shifting to his back four. Waldschmidt and Wind have had their fair share of chances in the starting XI with Kevin Paredes also showcasing his talent. We might just see Kovac fielding Waldschmidt for this fixture.

The signing of Yan Sommer and Joao Cancelo has brought immediate impact for Nagelsmann’s side. Cancelo took only 17 minutes to assist Choupo-Moting for their opening goal in their 4-0 thrashing of Mainz in the DFB Pokal. Manuel Neueur, Lucas Hernandez, Sadio Mane, Noussair Mazraoui and Bouna Sarr will all be missing the trip with injuries. Serge Gnabry has not been as poised in the recent weeks which might see Kingsley Coman take his place. A partnership of Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller up front is very likely after their impressive performance against Mainz.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 54

VfL Wolfsburg: 4

Draws: 8

Bayern Munich: 8

Predicted lineup

VfL Wolfsburg predicted lineup (4-5-1):

Casteels: Baku, Bornauw, Van De Ben, Otavio: Wimmer, Svanberg, Arnold, Gerhardt, Kaminski: Waldschmidt

Bayern Munich predicted lineup (3-1-4-2):

Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt: Kimmich: Cancelo, Koman, Sane, Musiala: Muller, Choupo-Moting

Prediction

Bayern Munich may have faced scrutiny in the recent weeks but it is impossible to eradicate the Bavarians when it comes to crucial points of the season. Also keeping in mind the history of this fixture, it will take more than a valiant performance by Kovac’s men to cause any upset.

Prediction:  VfL Wolfsburg 1-3 Bayern Munich.

Telecast Details

India - Sony Sports Network

USA - ESPN+, Sling Orange, FuboTV

UK - Sky Sports

Nigeria - DAZN