Bayern Munich-Hannover 96 Preview Match : German Bundesliga 2011/2012

March 24, 2012 2:30 PM GMT
Allianz-Arena — München

Team News

Bayern Munich

Philipp Lahm is likely to start at right-back again, with David Alaba filling in for him on the left. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Breno, and Daniel van Buyten is still injured and could be replaced by Luiz Gustavo. Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller and Franck Ribery are likely to start behind Mario Gomez again.

probable lineups : Neuer, Alaba, Badstuber, Boateng, Lahm, Kroos, Gustavo, Ribery, Muller, Robben, Gomez. (4-2-3-1).

21 Mar 2012  B. Mönchengladbach 0 - FC Bayern München 0

17 Mar 2012  Hertha BSC 0 - FC Bayern München 6 

13 Mar 2012  FC Bayern München 7 - Basel 0 

10 Mar 2012  FC Bayern München 7 - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1 

3 Mar 2012    Bayer Leverkusen 2 - FC Bayern München 0

Hannover 96

Mario Eggimann and Emanuel Pogatetz compete for a spot at centre-back. Steven Cherundolo and Sofian Chahed compete for the spot at right-back. Manager Slomka could switch back to a 4-4-2, with Jan Schlaudraff starting in midfield and Mame Biram Diouf returning from injury.

probable lineups : Zieler, Cherundolo, Eggimann, Haggui, Pander, Schlaudraff, Stindl, Pinto, Rausch, Abdellaoue, Diouf. (4-4-2).

18 Mar 2012       Hannover 96 4 - 1. FC Köln 1 

15 Mar 2012       Hannover 96 4 - Standard Liege 0 

11 Mar 2012       Werder Bremen 3 - Hannover 96 0 

8 Mar 2012

Standard Liege 2 - Hannover 96 2

3 Mar 2012         Hannover 96 2 - FC Augsburg 2

Head to Head

23 Oct 2011         Hannover 96 2 - FC Bayern München 1

5 Mar 2011         Hannover 96 3 - FC Bayern München 1

16 Oct 2010         FC Bayern München 3 - Hannover 96 0

17 Apr 2010        FC Bayern München 7 - Hannover 96 0

29 Nov 2009       Hannover 96 0 - FC Bayern München 3   

 

Prediction 

After two impressive wins in their last two Bundesliga games and winning their cup semi-final against Gladbach during the week, Bayern are full of confidence to give it everything to close the five-point gap between them and Dortmund at the top of the table. 

Hannover want to stay in the top-7, which would allow them to play in Europe again next season. Manager Slomka has many options available, with players returning from injury this week.

Expect Bayern to dominate possession from the outset. Hannover will try to defend solidly with two banks of four and rely on their deadly counter-attacks.

Bayern Munich  2 - 0  Hannover 96