Bundesliga: Bavarian Spotlight is All on Our Harry

Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich

There’s only one story in Germany right now.

If you don’t believe me, just await the extra media interest in this Bundesliga opener on Friday night.

For the German champions haven’t just swooped for any player; they have recruited the England and Spurs captain; the player who has scored approaching 300 career goals and is at the peak of his career.

Over the past decade, the only other regular prolific frontman considered the best striker in Europe – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not out & out strikers – has been Robert Lewandowski.

Yes, Bayern retained the title last season but that was as much to do with Borussia Dortmund falling at the final hurdle.

They missed the Pole’s goals as he took his firepower to lead Barcelona to Spanish La Liga glory.

That has now been put right.

Forget that Bayern, with Kane entering the fray as a substitute a matter of hours after flying from London to Germany, were well beaten by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.

This is where it begins and I cannot envisage any other team even pushing them close as the Bavarians, incredibly, chase a 12th successive league title.

Talking Points

The contrast is stark.

Friday night’s opponents, Werder Bremen, finished in 13th place in the standings last season and have not been at their best over the past year. 

That placing meant Ole Werner’s men were only three points clear of a relegation play-off spot, as they won just one and lost eight of their last 12 Bundesliga fixtures to end the campaign dismally.

Returning to competitive action with another loss last week, knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by 3. Liga side Viktoria Koln, was arguably a new low as they conceded three goals in the final 20 minutes, including a stoppage-time strike which consigned them to a 3-2 defeat.

A battle for survival could be on the cards, then, with Bremen again relying on Niclas Fullkrug to fire them to safety – the Germany striker finished last term as the Bundesliga’s joint-top scorer on 15 goals.

Furthermore, their Bundesliga highlights at their Weserstadion home have been few and far between.

They accrued the lowest number of home points in the league last season with 10 home losses and have not defeated Bayern, who have won on each of their last 14 visits, for 15 years.

The stats continue to make grim reading for the hosts given Bayern are unbeaten in their opening Bundesliga match of the season in their last 21 campaigns (their last defeat was in 2001), while Bremen are winless in their last eight opening games of the season in the Bundesliga (their previous victory coming in 2013).

Add the stats to the news that the Bavarian giants seem set to hand Kane his Bundesliga debut, and you can see why they are such underdogs.

All in all then, Werder Bremen must have wished for a more straightforward start to the new campaign.

On the other hand, they have nothing to lose.

History

Bayern have won 37 out of the last 56 matches played between the two teams with 10 Bremen victories.

Bayern are unbeaten in their last 31 matches against them in all competitions, with their last defeat against them by a 5-2 margin in 2008.

Overall, Bayern have been beaten 26 times by Bremen in the Bundesliga – only against Borussia Monchengladbach have they a higher tally of losses in the league.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has won his last nine straight matches against these opponents, a streak that stretches back a decade.

Bayern won 6-1 at home last term, courtesy of a Serge Gnabry hat-trick and goals from Jamal Musiala, Leon Goretzka and Mathys Tel.

Anthony Jung had briefly brought Bremen level.

The return fixture was much closer as Gnabry and Leroy Sane netted in a 2-1 win. Niklas Schmidt replied for the home side.

Betting Tip

After reading this article you will not be surprised to see the SBOTOP Bundesliga betting odds are as one-sided as the recent history of this fixture.

You can back Bayern 1X2 @ 1.26 and Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 2.16.

The home side are on offer 1X2 @ 6.80 and Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.26.

The draw will pay out @ 6.20, while a re-run of the corresponding fixture last season – Correct Score 1-2 – is available @ 8.00.

If they can keep it tight for as long as possible Bremen might start to believe they can hold out but, realistically, it is hard t imagine them evening getting a point in this one.

 

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