A mourning Allianz Arena will play host to Bayern Munich's first Bundesliga fixture of 2024 when they welcome Hoffenheim to Bavaria on Friday night.
It's been a sombre start to the year for Die Roten as news broke of the great Franz Beckenbauer's passing on Monday. Der Kaiser spent 13 years of his career in Munich, claiming 13 major titles along the way.
Thus, it's bound to be an emotionally charged atmosphere on Friday as Bayern aim to close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen to a point.
Hoffenheim, however, have aspirations of their own. Pellegrino Matarazzo's side enjoyed a promising Hinrunde and currently occupy seventh. A strong Ruckrunde could see Hoffenheim compete in Europe for just the second time in their history next season.
Here's 90min's preview of Friday night's Bundesliga clash.
What time does Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim kick-off?
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Stadium: Allianz Arena
- Date: Friday 12 December
- Kick-off time: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET / 11:30 PT
- Referee: TBC
- VAR: TBC
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Bayern Munich: 3 wins
- Hoffenheim: 0 wins
- Draws: 2
- Last meeting: Bayern Munich 1-1 Hoffenheim (11 April 2023) - Bundesliga
Current form (all competitions)
- Bayern Munich: LWWWD
- Hoffenheim: LWLDL
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim on TV and live stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Mix |
United States | ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes |
Canada | DAZN |
Bayern Munich team news
Bayern are certainly improving on the injury front, although they will be without star centre-back Kim Min-jae for the foreseeable after he teamed up with the South Korean squad for the Asian Cup.
Thus, Matthijs de Ligt should partner Dayot Upamecano on Friday.
Serge Gnabry, Noussair Mazraoui, Bouna Sarr and Daniel Peretz will all miss out. Konrad Laimer should be fit to start.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Hoffenheim
Bayern predicted lineup vs Hoffenheim (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Kane.
Hoffenheim team news
The visitors have lost Mergim Berisha and Marco John for the season due to cruciate ligament injuries.
Bambase Conte and Dennis Greiger are expected to miss out on Friday due to groin injuries but both should return to action this month.
Hoffenheim predicted lineup vs Bayern Munich
Hoffenheim predicted lineup vs Bayern (3-1-4-2): Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Vogt; Stach; Kaderabek, Bulter, Promer, Skov; Bebou, Kramaric.
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim score prediction
Fast and direct, Hoffenheim are your archetypal Bundesliga outfit and their style should faciltate an entertaining encounter on Friday night.
While not proficient pressers, the visitors are stellar in transition and undoubtedly capable of overwhelming Bayern's aggressive defensive line.
The hosts, though, should be able to establish plenty of control, and given the presence of a certain Harry Kane, who must be itching to get back on the scoresheet, following the winter break, it's hard to back anything but a comfortable home win.
