Bundesliga: Bayern Munich to Start Life Without Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin

The next few weeks will determine Bayern Munich’s fate when they’ll have to carry on with a depleted lineup.

Despite being seven points clear over the rest, the defending Bundesliga champions cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to retain their crown.

Their visitors in Union Berlin are fresh from a draw in the Berlin Derby last weekend. They may be only at seventh place with 39 points as of this writing, but they are certainly capable of springing an upset every now and then.

With Bayern Munich ailing, Urs Fischer’s men smell blood and they’ll aim to capitalise by grabbing three valuable points on the road.

The SBOTOP betting odds point for the hosts to come away with a win. But looking at what happened in their reverse fixture last December, it will definitely won’t be easy for the Bavarians even if they are complete.

Talking Points

Bayern Munich are dealing with COVID-19 and injury woes

The loss of Robert Lewandowski was clearly felt when they were defeated at home in the last time out.

PSG came in and avenged their finals loss last season as Kylian Mbappe’s brace and Marquinhos’ 28^th-minute goal was enough to subdue the Bavarians in their quarterfinals tie of the Champions League.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Thomas Muller scored one each for consolation, but they could’ve scored more if Lewandowski is healthy.

Other than Lewandowski, who is out due to a knee injury and is without a timetable, Bayern Munich’s attacking depth will take a hit since Serge Gnabry tested positive for the coronavirus just the other day.

Meanwhile, Niklas Sule and Leon Goretzka had to come off against PSG as Hansi Flick confirmed that the two suffered knocks as well.

With their key players not being spared by injuries and COVID-19, perhaps this is the biggest challenge that Hansi Flick will face as Bayern Munich’s manager.

There’s still hope since they can still come back against PSG in their Champions League tie and this game against Union Berlin is considered winnable as well.

Flick is hopeful that Jerome Boateng and Alphonso Davies will give them a jolt against Die Eisernen as both are expected to start since they came off the bench against PSG.

Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are going to have to shoulder the load offencively, while Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala should feature in the midfield assuming Leon Goretzka misses time.

Fellow contenders are going to cheer for Union Berlin

With Bayern Munich holding a seven-point lead, RB Leipzig, VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Dortmund will be rooting for Die Eisernen to win.

RB Leipzig are the closest to the Bavarian giants and assuming they’d win against Werder Bremen, Julian Nagelsmann’s side is going to be only four or five points adrift.

Union Berlin’s recent Bundesliga 2021 results, however, don’t offer much encouragement since they’ve only won once in their last five league games.

Union Berlin set their sights for the Europa League qualification spot when they take on Bayern Munich in Bundesliga — Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer giving instructions from the touchline during their match against Koln

Lower-tier teams Arminia Bielefeld, Hoffenheim, Hertha BSC, and Schalke managed to draw against them while they were annihilated by Eintract Frankfurt with a 5-2 score.

Die Eisernen’s European dream is still within reach but consistency from everyone will be much needed.

Max Kruse is Bayern’s biggest threat with 10 goals and five assists, but he will need significant contributions from fellow forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Robert Andrich.

History

Prior to this weekend, the Bavarians have the big advantage in the head-to-heads with three wins along with the one draw.

The said draw happened during their reverse fixture last December as Grischa Promel and Robert Lewandowski exchanged one goal each for a 1-1 tally.

Die Eisernen have yet to win a game in this matchup.

Betting Tip

	Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin	Bayern Munich Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.69
	April 10, 21:30 (GMT+8)

Despite being undermanned, Bayern Munich are still seen as the favourites to win this match.

The Bundesliga 2021 odds are favouring to the Bavarian giants to be the victors at 1.43, whereas Union Berlin are priced at and a draw is pegged at 4.40 in the 1X2 market.

Union Berlin can certainly put up a fight as they fight for their European dream, but it will be hard to envision them upsetting the defending champions at their home pitch.

Bayern Munich should have enough quality and depth to gain the win and they’ll be needing every point that they can get in the next few weeks to cement their pole position at the table.