After a crushing Champions League win over Besiktas on Tuesday, Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action and go in search of a record 15th consecutive win, hosting Hertha Berlin on Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET/14:30 GMT).
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Bayern Munich’s five-star Champions League performance against Besiktas on Tuesday has the league leaders firing on all cylinders ahead of their Saturday afternoon hosting the capital club. Besides Manuel Neuer’s continued absence, the only doubt for Jupp Heynckes’ side is James Rodriguez, who missed training on Wednesday due to a light calf problem. He is still likely to be available for the weekend as Bayern go in search of a club-record 15th consecutive win in all competitions.
After Matchday 23’s disappointing home defeat to Mainz, Pal Dardai’s Hertha side are expected to be boosted by the returns of a number of key players. Karim Rekik, Ondrej Duda and Mitchell Weiser have all returned to team training and could be involved for the visit to Munich. Peter Pekarik (muscle problems) and Vedad Ibisevic (nose surgery) are two major doubts for Hertha.
Watch: Hertha held Bayern to a draw in the earlier fixture this season!
Probable line-ups
Bayern: Ulreich – Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba – Martinez, Thiago – Robben, Müller ©, Ribery – Lewandowski
Absentees: Neuer (foot)
Coach: Jupp Heynckes
Hertha: Jarstein – Weiser, Stark, Rekik, Plattenhardt – Skjelbred, Darida – Leckie, Lazaro, Kalou – Selke
Absentees: Kade (ankle), Schieber (muscle problems), Maier (ill), Ibisevic (nose)
Coach: Pal Dardai
Match stats
Robert Lewandowski is set to make his 250th Bundesliga appearance. Only Gerd Müller scored more goal in his first 250 top-flight outings (216 to 171).Lewandowski is on the cusp of a record-equalling goal in 12 successive home games - a best-mark currently shared by Jupp Heynckes and the aforementioned MüllerBayern are unbeaten in their last 13 Bundesliga matches against Hertha (W11, D2) and have not lost at home to the Berlin club in over 40 years.Hertha have only lost one of their last eight away games in the Bundesliga.Salomon Kalou was part of the Chelsea team that beat Bayern on penalties at the Allianz Arena to win the 2012 Champions League.Hertha gave kept more clean sheets (seven) than Bayern (five) in their six Bundesliga outings this year.
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Source: bundesliga.com