Bayern München vs. VfL Wolfsburg

Standings: Bayern München (1^st – 28 points) vs. VfL Wolfsburg (11^th – 16 points)

When: Saturday 24^th November 2007 (1430 CET)Where: Allianz Arena, Munich  

A Lot To Prove Top of the table Bayern entertain mid-table Wolfsburg in what will prove to be a feisty encounter. Felix Magath would be relishing a return to the cauldron-like atmosphere of the Allianz Arena to lead his Wolfsburg side against a side he managed barely a year ago. Ottmar Hitzfield has come under a lot of criticism from the Bayern think-tank of Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, President Franz Beckenbauer and General Manager Uli Hoeness especially regarding team selections. Both managers have a lot to prove for different reasons.  

Desperate For A Win The Bavarian side is desperate for a win restore calm at the Allianz Arena. In their last outing, they were hammered 3-1 by Stuttgart. Despite, this being their first loss in this term’s Bundesliga campaign, Hitzfield drew a lot of flak for his policies. Having managed just one win in their last five games in all competitions, Bayern will be looking to get back to winning ways. Magath, will on the other hand, look to mastermind an upset of sorts at his old den. With just a point separating Bayern from Werder Bremen and Hamburg SV, the Bavarians would be looking to turn on the style or even win ugly against the Wolves.  

Form Guide (Last 5 Games in all competitions) 

Bayern München – DWDDL

Wolfsburg – DWWLL 

Head To Head Record In Munich 

Feb 24, 07         Bayern München 2 - 1 VfL Wolfsburg

Oct 1, 05           Bayern München 2 - 0 VfL Wolfsburg

Oct 26, 04         Bayern München 2 - 0 VfL Wolfsburg

Feb 28, 04         Bayern München 2 - 0 VfL Wolfsburg

Nov 16, 02        Bayern München 1 - 0 VfL Wolfsburg

Players To Watch Bayern München – Luca Toni

Luca Toni is Bayern’s leading scorer so far this term and with a formidable strike partnership with Miroslav Klose, they have already found the back of the net 17 times so far.   VfL Wolfsburg – Alexander Madlung, The lanky German defender would have his hands full against proven strikers like Toni and Klose and will have to be at his best if Wolfsburg aim to salvage something from this tie.  Prediction A look at recent form might make you think twice before placing a bet on the Bavarians but it looks like they’ll get back to their winning ways against a Wolfsburg side that looks just ordinary. Bayern München 2-1 VfL Wolfsburg

Bayer Leverkusen vs. MSV Duisburg

Standings: Bayer Leverkusen (5^th – 21 points) vs. MSV Duisburg (17^th – 9 points)

When: Saturday 24^th November 2007 (1430 CET)Where: BayArena, Leverkusen  

Stark Contrast Bayer comes into this match on a high note, unbeaten in four of their last six matches in all competitions and in the zone for European places whereas the ‘Zebras’ have lost five of their last six matches and are currently on a run of four consecutive defeats. Rudi Bommer sees his side in the deep end of the relegation zone and will be looking to stem the rot.   

Youth To The Fore Michael Skibbe would be looking to his youthful Bayer side to come up with some sort of consistency in their performances so that they could push for the Champions League places for the next term. Skibbe would be pleased with the way his youthful side has come of age. He has had to do without two of his most experienced players for most of the season so far but the young players like Simon Rolfes, Artur Vidal and Stefan Kiessling have come to the fore and given a good account of themselves. Carsten Ramelow and Bernd Schneider are long-term absentees but Skibbe would be encouraged with the fact that Schneider has returned to training with the team but it looks highly unlikely that he would play any part against Duisburg. MSV are in wretched form and they don’t look likely to breach the second best defence in the Bundesliga at home. But coach Bommer could take consolation in the fact that they have got more points on the road than at home.  

Form Guide (Last 5 Games in all competitions) 

Bayer Leverkusen – WLWLW

Duisburg – WLLLL 

Head To Head Record In Leverkusen 

Feb 18^th 06        Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 2 MSV Duisburg

Feb 5^th 00          Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 0 MSV Duisburg

Nov 28^th 98         Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 0 MSV Duisburg

Oct 4^th 97           Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 1 MSV Duisburg

Feb 22^nd 97        Bayer Leverkusen 1 - 0 MSV Duisburg 

MSV can take heart from the fact that in the last meeting between these two sides, Duisburg knocked Leverkusen out of the German Cup in the second round beating them 3-2 after extra time.         

Players To Watch Bayer Leverkusen – Stefan Kiessling 

The lanky striker is Bayer’s leading scorer so far this term and with a leaky defence like MSV’s, you can bet him to be on the score sheet or create some for his mates.   

MSV Duisburg – Mihai Tararache Tararache will have to marshal Duisburg’s midfield and should try and shut down any potential attacks from Leverkusen. He could also create or pop up with some goals going forward.  

Prediction  It looks like it will be a stroll in the park for Bayer in front of the BayArena faithful. MSV are going to endure another tough trip away from home. 

Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 MSV Duisburg