Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have a chance to widen the gap at the top to nine points—at least temporarily—when they host Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on Friday night.
The reigning champions currently sit on 51 points, while second-placed Bayer Leverkusen trail behind with a game in hand.
Bayern head into the clash after a thrilling 4-3 victory over relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel on February 1. Though the final scoreline suggested a close contest, Thomas Tuchel’s side had already built a 4-0 lead before conceding three late goals, including two stoppage-time strikes from Steven Skrzybski.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen secured a 1-0 win against Mainz 05 on January 31, moving up to eighth in the table with 30 points, just three behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig.
While Bayern have dominated offensively—netting 62 goals in 20 league matches and projecting a 105-goal season—their defensive issues have raised concerns.
They have conceded 10 times in their last five outings across all competitions, something Tuchel will want to address.
Despite their occasional defensive lapses, Bayern’s overall form remains strong. The Bavarians have won seven of their last eight matches, including their past six Bundesliga fixtures.
They have also been nearly unbeatable at Allianz Arena, suffering just one defeat in 20 home matches, with 17 wins and two draws. Their last meeting with Werder Bremen ended in a commanding 5-0 victory back in September.
Tuchel is also under scrutiny for his team’s European performances. Bayern must defeat Celtic in an upcoming playoff tie to secure a spot in the Champions League Round of 16, adding further pressure on the German giants.
Werder Bremen’s recent win against Mainz came at a cost, as they lost two key defenders—Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl—who were both sent off in stoppage time.
Manager Ole Werner was also dismissed but will take encouragement from his team’s display, having created four big chances compared to Mainz’s one.
Defensively, Bremen have struggled, conceding 36 goals in the Bundesliga—tied for the worst record among the league’s top 14 teams.
Before their win over Mainz, they had gone four games without a victory, drawing twice and losing twice. Their away form has also been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw, and three defeats in their last six road fixtures.
Kickoff Time: 8:30PM Nigerian Time
Date: Friday, February 07, 2025
Venue: Allianz Arena