Backin' Bayern Both Halves
Gladbach have the chance to skip over old foes Bayern Munich in the table this week. They currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga, trailing second place Bayern by only two points. This match used to one of the big rivalries back in the day, and you’d be a fool for thinking there’s no spice left.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have failed to earn a win in their last three games, after sandwiching a loss last weekend to Hertha Berlin between draws against Augsburg and Ajax. If they fail to get anything against Gladbach they run the risk of creating space between themselves and first placed Dortmund. New manager Nico Kovac will already be feeling the pressure of his biggest job to date.
They’ve scored in the first half in 4 out of 4 wins
But Kovac is a tenacious character, and after playing for the Bavarian outfit back in the early 00s, he understands what it’s all about. Head to head Bayern have dominated Gladbach winning two of the last three. Last season was 5-1 and the season before 2-0.
Die Roten don’t often let it slip, let alone for too long, and I don’t believe they will neither. They’ve performed much better at home and have a knack for scoring early. And when they score early they win. They’ve scored in the first half in 4 out of 4 wins in the Bundesliga this season.
They’re squad list is looking healthy with no notable omissions. The big guns will be firing.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Gladbach have scored two or more goals in 5 of their 6 Bundesliga games this season. They only fallen to Hertha Berlin 4-2 who strangely enough are responsible for Bayern’s only defeat. Perhaps the only thing the two sides in common.
Not striking early against Bayern will cost them
What Gladbach don’t have in common with their Bavarian neighbours is scoring early. Unlike the Bavarians, though they’ve not struggled to this season, they tend to only come out of the gates in the second half. Not striking early against Bayern will cost them.
Match Tips
The bookies are playing it too safe with this one. Considering the head to head stats between the two in recent years the odds should be higher for a Bayern win. On top of that Bayern have struggled recently.
Nevertheless, Bayern have done better at home and when they’ve scored in the first half, which they have on four occasions they’ve won every match this season. It’s really not as bad as it looks. They’ve only drawn once at home this season!
Mia san Mia they say down in Munich ‘we are who we are’ - Bayern are winners, and they know it. Expect them to dominate from the outset.
