Prediction: Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim

Verdict: Harry Kane to score the opening goal

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to mark their return from the festive break with a Bundesliga statement, Bayern Munich will welcome Hoffenheim to the Allianz on Friday night.

Bayern Munich

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from the festive break sat four points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen, there is no doubt that Bayern Munich will be desperate to make a statement here. However, while Thomas Tuchel’s men might face a real challenge in their bid to make more Bundesliga history this season, the German giants signed off 2023 in the midst of a real flurry. Last seen picking up a 2-1 victory away at Wolfsburg, the former Chelsea boss has seen his squad lose just a single Bundesliga appearance so far this campaign. Likewise, collecting 22 points from their last eight showdowns at the Allianz across all competitions, Bayern Munich have also gained a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Including a stellar 3-0 romp against Stuttgart last month, Tuchel’s side will be relishing a return to top-flight action here.

Team News

Picking up a muscle strain last month, Bayern Munich still remain without the services of German international Serge Gnabry. However, all recovering from their own respective issues over the festive break, Tuchel’s side will welcome back the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka.

Enjoying what has been a record-breaking start to life in and already bagging 21 strikes in his first 15 Bundesliga appearances, England skipper Harry Kane will spearhead Bayern’s charge on Friday night.

Hoffenheim

As for the visitors, although Hoffenheim might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side mark their return at the heart of an extended rut. Last seen on December 19th having to settle for an action-packed 3-3 stalemate against Darmstadt, the former Stuttgart boss does find some mounting pressure on his shoulders. In fact, Hoffenheim have recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to October 28th. Facing a monumental challenge on Friday night, Matarazzo will also have a headache over his side’s continued struggles on the road. Collecting just a sole point from their last four Bundesliga contests away from the Rhein-Neckar Arena, Hoffenheim are now tipped as a real outside contender in the European chase.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Hoffenheim will travel to Munich on Friday night without the likes of Mergim Berisha, Bambase Conte, Dennis Geige and Marco John. However, recovering from a recent groin issue over the festive break, ex-Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst should make a full return here.

Notching eight domestic strikes this season across all competitions, Croatian international Andrej Kramaric will have a leading role to play at the Allianz and could be partnered with Weghorst in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim last met back on April 15th, Friday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• The reigning Bundesliga champions are unbeaten in all of their previous five showdowns against Hoffenheim.
• Bayern Munich have collected 22 points from their last eight showdowns at the Allianz across all competitions.
• Hoffenheim have recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight domestic appearances across all competitions.
• The Blues have also collected just a single point from their last four Bundesliga appearances on the road.

Conclusion

Desperate to make up some ground in the title chase and fire a warning to Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel’s side will know that they can’t afford a public slip-up here. Heading into the festive break with a 2-1 victory away at Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich will also be hugely excited by their continued success at the Allianz. Mustering 22 points from their last eight showdowns on home soil, the German giants should be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. With Hoffenheim claiming just a single domestic win since the end of October, Kane swill be confident of extending on his record-breaking Bundesliga romp.

Verdict: Harry Kane to score the opening goal

Best Odds: 3/1

Bookmaker: Luckster