48’: GOOOAAALLL!!! Bayern up 4-0. Leroy Sané scores another one! Mathys Tel with a beautiful cross for the assist.
46’: Substitutions. Mathys Tel replaces Kingsley Coman. Gift Orban replaces Erencan Yardımcı.
Halftime Observations
- Bayern’s off-the-ball movement has been fantastic. In the Mainz and Gladbach matches, the attack looked stale in the final third. The ball is moving quicker rather than sticking to player’s feet or rotating backwards.
- Did Leroy Sané spend his Christmas break watching How Stella Got Her Groove Back? He has been the most active player today, flying around the pitch and creating for others. With his sixth minute goal, he has scored in three of the last four matches. The goal itself was blasted without hesitation or concern for Oliver Baumann’s soul. He’s won four of five ground duels and added two successful dribbles. This is the Sané that Bayern fans remember from the 2023/24 Hinrunde.
- Bayern transfer target Tom Bischof has performed admirably thus far. He’s delivered 92% passing accuracy, won three of five ground duels, and has constantly disrupted the middle of the pitch. Unfortunately for Bischof, Bayern has successfully shifted the attack to the wings.
- Request to Vincent Kompany: We want Adam Aznou!
Halftime Scores
- RB Leipzig 1-0 Stuttgart
- Werden Bremen 1-1 Heidenheim
- Augsburg 2-0 Union Berlin
- Bochum 1-0 St. Pauli (final)
HT: Bayern 3-0 Hoffenheim.
41’: Substitution. Alexander Prass replaces Diadie Samassékou (non-contact injury).
26’: GOOOAAALLL!!! Bayern up 3-0. Harry Kane’s flick catches the back arm of Kevin Akpoguma, confirmed by VAR. Kane goes left for the penalty kick.
12’: GOOOAAALLL!!! Bayern up 2-0. With a nice give-and-go from Harry Kane, Raphaël Guerreiro sneaks behind the Hoffenheim defense and calmly slots in the finish.
6’: GOOOAAALLL!!! Bayern up 1-0. Thomas Müller lays it out and Leroy Sané pounds it in.
1’: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Vincent Kompany is opting to rest a few players against a weak Hoffenheim squad. Compared to the Gladbach win, Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coman, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Aleksandar Pavlović will replace Kim Min-jae, Michael Olise, Konrad Laimer, and Leon Goretzka.
Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry remain on the bench as they recover from illness and injury. Adam Aznou is also available and will likely see some minutes if Bayern can build a comfortable lead.
Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim are headed in opposite directions. Bayern keep rattling off wins while Hoffenheim has forgotten what celebrating in the locker room feels like. Ironically, Hoffenheim won the last duel between the clubs to close out the 2023/24 campaign. Mathys Tel and Alphonso Davies gave Bayern a 2-0 lead in the first six minutes, but Andrej Kramarić’s second half hat trick ruined Thomas Tuchel’s final game at Bayern.
Vincent Kompany will want to press high and fast to smother Hoffenheim for the entire first half. The second half should be spent passing around the safer areas, conserving energy and reducing the risk of injuries.
Odds: Bayern (-770), Draw (+800), Hoffenheim (+1600), Over/Under 3.5 goals
Prediction: Bayern wins, 5-0. Hoffenheim has been awful for the past two months. Bayern will control the match with 75% possession and pound relentlessly on Oliver Baumann. Jamal Musiala will score early to open up the match (if he starts). Leon Goretzka will score a header off a corner kick from Joshua Kimmich. Harry Kane will finish off the first half by retrieving his own rebound and putting the game away. Michael Olise’s quiet first half will be reversed by a quick brace in the second half. Vincent Kompany will unload the bench in the 65th minute.
It’s Bayern time.
Looking to get ready for Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim? Then why not do it with the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show? We’re talking each team’s form, Tom Bischof, injuries, and giving predictions on a lineup and the match. You can get the show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
Match Info
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Time: 8:30 pm local time, 2:30 pm EST
TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country
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