Bayern Munich and Arminia Bielefeld will lock horns for the first time in nearly 12 years when they square off this weekend at the Schuco Arena. This is the first meeting between the two sides since the 2008/09 league season, and Bielefeld could probably not have asked for a tougher opponent to resume their campaign against after the international break.
The defending champions seem to have recovered from that shock 4-1 loss to Hoffenheim earlier in the season, bouncing back with victories over Hertha Berlin in the league and Borussia Dortmund in the Super Cup before the international break. Neither of the wins were strong defensive performances, with Bayern shipping in five across the two games, but they did get the job done on the attacking front, as shown by the quality of chances in this expected goals map.
Robert Lewandowski was key to the win over Hertha, with the Polish forward again underlining his quality with four goals, including an ice cool stoppage time penalty winner. It was also the 32-year-old’s first hat trick of the season and he also reached the landmark of 100 goals at the Allianz Arena during the fixture.
Bielefeld, on other hand, went down 1-0 to Werder Bremen in their last league game before the break. Leonardo Bittencourt’s 27th minute effort separated the two sides at the final whistle. It was perhaps a game that Bielefeld should’ve got atleast a point from- they had two point blank headers denied and comfortably beat Bremen on the xG metric (1.14 to 0.33)
However Hansi Flick’s men, who have already scored 13 goals across three league games this season, will pose a far greater challenge. Bayern are expected to do the HT/FT double over Arminia– not surprising given the plethora of attacking options available at the manager’s disposal.
Bayern have won all of their last five meetings against Arminia, and have conceded only one goal in those five.
Arminia Bielefeld 0-1 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 3-1 Arminia
Bayern 2-0 Arminia
Arminia 0-1 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 1-0 Arminia
The last meeting between these two sides, back in April 2009, was won 1-0 by Bayern thanks to a Luca Toni goal. Thomas Muller is the only Bayern survivor from that game- he was a late substitute for Toni.
While Bayern are fourth in the table going into this clash, Bielefeld are 10th. The home side have scored exactly two goals this seaoson, and one was a historic one from Joan Simun Edmundsson against Koln– the first player from the Faroe Islands to play and score in Germany’s top flight.
This will be a game Bayern will be keen to take three points from- up next for them will be Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Atleti are essentially’s Bayern only real rivals for top spot in their CL group, which makes that fixture an important one for both sides.
Rising American star Chris Richards will not be available for this clash as he recovers from a calf injury. Richards assisted Lewandowski’s second against Hertha and played 65 minutes before being replaced by Benjamin Pavard.
Arminia vs Bayern kicks off at 17.30 UK on Saturday