Supercup champions Bayern Munich are looking for their first victory in the new Bundesliga season when they face Cologne on Sunday.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side was held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach on the opening weekend but really started to find its track in the Supercup. A Robert Lewandowski double, either side of a stroke from Thomas Muller, disallowed Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 victory.
Here’s everything you need to know about their clash at the Allianz Arena.
When is it kick off? Sunday 22 August, 16:30 (BST)Where is the match played? Allianz ArenaWhich TV channel is the match on? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (USA)
Neuer takes care of an ankle injury / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann is sweating over the condition of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who suffered a foot injury in the Supercup triumph and has missed training due to it.
Should he miss the match, he will be joined by Benjamin Pavard (ankle), Lucas Hernandez (knee) and possibly Kingsley Coman, who took his own knock against Dortmund.
Horn remains sidlined / Pool / Getty Images
The only absentee for Koln will be left-back Jannes Horn, who continues to recover from the hip operation that cost him the pre-season.
Bavaria: Ulreich; Stanisic, Upamecano, Sule, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Lewandowski
Cologne: T. Horn; Schmitz, Hubers, Czichos, Hector; Skhiri; Thielmann, Ljubicic, Uth, Kainz; Modeste
Bayern have dominated Cologne in recent years / Adam Pretty / Getty Images
It is not surprising that the record between these two sides is overwhelming in Bavaria’s favor.
They doubled over Cologne last season, earning 5-1 and 2-1 victories, and are currently on a seven-match winning run that goes all the way back to 2017.
In fact, the last time Koln avoided defeat against Bayern was when they took 1-1 in October 2016. The draw ended another six wins in a row for the German champions, who have not lost to Koln in over ten years.
Bayern expect three points / INA FASSBENDER / Getty Images
It is safe to say that Bayern are heavy favorites for this one.
Nagelsmann’s men have not found their best form yet this season, but they are obviously the dominant force in German football and they can invoke the quality most Bundesliga teams can only dream of. They do not even have to be the best to meet the goals.
If Bayern can replicate the form they showed against Dortmund in the middle of the week, we can wait for a goal celebration.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 4-1 Cologne
