Tough task: Beating Bayern for the first time since 2009

The Bavarians can afford the luxury of having been beaten by Augsburg last season in a small Bavarian derby at the Allianz Arena (1–2), but it would take a miracle for the team from Salatar to leave Munich with a result this time. For the champions of Germany, it has been a calm transfer window. Last month, Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen ruled out any major January signings, saying that the return of Jamal Musiala and other long-term injured players, Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito, would be the club’s biggest “reinforcements” this winter.

Musiala broke his leg last year at the Club World Cup. He was out of action for six months, but is now slowly returning. He started against Eindhoven three days ago. In the Bundesliga, Vincent Kompany has been easing him back into rhythm, giving him two substitute appearances. Against Leipzig, he needed just four minutes to register an assist. Today in Hamburg, he could make his first league start of the season. Although Musiala lacks full match fitness and is not yet ready to play more than an hour after half a year out, his freshness will be crucial in the second half of the season and he should be an important piece in the fight for the Champions League “big-eared” trophy. Three days ago, he also got his name on the scoresheet against the Dutch champions.

“A beautiful goal from a tight angle,” said Bayern striker Harry Kane about Musiala’s strike, adding: “He showed his qualities. He was outstanding, and I take my hat off to him.”

More than just an exit: Bayern Munich's pillar is about to go

Bayern have recently developed a habit of convincingly beating Hamburg, their opponents on Saturday, one of only three clubs to have won a European title alongside Dortmund and Bayern. Hamburg’s record against the Bavarian giants is dreadful. They last beat Bayern in 2009. In the last eight meetings, all wins for the Munich side, with a goal difference of 36–1. Bayern already thrashed Hamburg 5–0 in Bavaria in the first part of the Bundesliga season. The hosts play much better at home in northern Germany. They have taken 15 of the last 18 points on their own ground and have not lost at the Volkspark since October.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 20

Friday

Koln - Wolfsburg 1-0 (1-0)

/Maina 29/

Saturday

17.30: (2.00) Augsburg (3.35) St.Pauli (4.00)

17.30: (3.00) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.85) Leverkusen (2.30)

17.30: (1.80) Hoffenheim (3.75) Union Berlin (4.35)

17.30: (1.55) RB Leipzig (4.50) Mainz (5.60)

17.30: (2.45) Werder (3.60) M' gladbach (2.90)

20.30: (9.50) Hamburger (6.50) Bayern (1.30)

Sunday

17.30: (1.75) Stuttgart (4.10) Freiburg (4.75)

19.30: (1.25) Dortmund (6.75) Heidenheim (13.0)

***odds are subject to change***