German champions Bayern Munich have made a mixed start to their Bundesliga campaign, winning three and drawing two of their games so far in the new campaign. The Bavarians recorded a 3-0 Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade last time out.
Niko Kovac’s team return to domestic action on Saturday afternoon, as the reigning champions host struggling Koln at the Allianz Arena.
Despite their perceived inconsistent recent record in the German top-flight, Bayern are now 18 matches unbeaten in the Bundesliga. The champions needed that good form to see off the challenge of arch-rivals Dortmund in the title race last season.
This season it seems the Bavarians have two teams capable of challenging them for the title, with RB Leipzig under talented young boss Julian Nagelsmann looking like genuine title contenders, as well Dortmund of course.
Last time out, Bayern drew 1-1 with Nagelsmann’s side. The result at the Red Bull Arena means that Bayern are two points behind Die Roten Bullen. A match against a struggling Koln team looks like the ideal opportunity to get another three points on the board.
Koln have been a favourite opponent of the home side in recent seasons, as Die Bayern are unbeaten against the visitors in ten Bundesliga games, having recorded nine wins.
Kovac’s side are big favourites to pull off yet another win against the visitors on Saturday afternoon too. The fact that Bayern have won 12 of their last 13 Bundesliga matches at the Allianz Arena does not bode well for the visitors.
Koln have endured a tough start to the new season, picking up just three points from their opening four league outings, having lost three matches in the process.
However, the visitor's poor form did not start this season, it started in the backend of the last campaign. In fact, they have won just once in 11 Bundesliga matches since March.
It seems unlikely that their trip to Bavaria will yield much and Forebet predicts that Bayern will record a narrow win in a high-scoring encounter.