Match Preview
Bundesliga action resumes following the final two matchdays of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. On matchday-12 of the 2019-20 Bundesliga, record 29-time champions Bayern Munich travel to 13th-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf.
One of seven clubs with two league defeats this season, six-time defending champions Bayern are third in the league table, four points adrift of league leaders Borussia Monchengladbach and behind second-played RB Leipzig on goal difference.
However, this is Bayern's first league game on the road since a humbling 1-5 result at Eintracht Frankfurt which cost their erstwhile manager Niko Kovac his job while Fortuna are on a two-game winning run at home.
Kick-off information
Date: 23rd November, 2019.
Time: 15:30 hours (local time), 20:00 hours IST.
Venue: Merkur Spielarena, Dusseldorf
TV Coverage: Star Sports Select (India).
Form Guide
Fortuna and Bayern have met in 52 competitive meetings, with an overwhelming majority of the games (48) happening in the Bundesliga.
Fortuna Dusseldorf
Last season Fortuna lost 1-4 at home to Bayern Munich and held the Bundesliga champions to a 3-3 draw in Munich. Fortuna have not beaten Bayern in eight home games in the Bundesliga since a 4-0 win in the 1985-86 season.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have won all eight Bundesliga games at the Merkur Spielarena, since a 4-0 defeat in the 1985-86 season. not conceding a goal in five of those games.
Last five Bundesliga games (most recent game first)
Both Fortuna and Bayern have won twice, lost twice, and drawn once in their last five Bundesliga games. Bayern's second defeat during this spell led to their manager Nico Kovac facing the sack.
Fortuna Dusseldorf: D-W-L-W-L.
Bayern Munich: W-L-W-D-L.
Last five home games (Fortuna Dusseldorf)
Fortuna have won 2 of their 5 home games in the Bundesliga this season, drawing 1, and losing 1-3 to Bayer Leverkusen and 1-2 to SC Freiburg.
Fortuna Dusseldorf : W-W-L-D-L.
Last 5 away games (Bayern Munich)
Bayern suffered their heaviest Bundesliga defeat in 10 years when the six-time defending champions slumped to a humbling 1-5 reverse at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern Munich: L-D-W-D-W.
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Bayern Munich Head to head
Fortuna have beaten Bayern 12 times in 52 competitive meetings with the Munich club, which includes 10 wins in 48 Bundesliga games against the defending champions.
However B,ayern would draw confidence from the fact that they returned with a win in their last 8 Bundesliga visits to the Merkur Spielarena, which includes a 4-1 win at the home of Fortuna last season.
In all competitions
Fortuna Dusseldorf: 12 wins.
Bayern Munich: 30 wins.
Draws: 10.
In the Bundesliga
Fortuna Dusseldorf: 10 wins.
Bayern Munich: 28 wins.
Draws: 10.
Team News
Fortuna Dusseldorf
Diego Contento (ankle), Kenan Karaman (pneumonia), and Thomas Pledl (knee) are injury absences while Kevin Stöger (cruciate ligament) is a doubtful starter against Bayern.
Bayern Munich
Jann-Fiete Arp (fractured wrist), Lucas Hernandez (ankle), and Niklas Süle (torn ACL) are unavailable due to injuries while Jerome Boateng is suspended.
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Bayern Munich predicted XI
Fortuna Dusseldorf (5-3-2): Zack Steffen - Jean Zimmer, Kaan Ayhan, Andre Hoffmann, Kasim Adams, Niko Giesselmann - Matthias Zimmermann, Adam Bodzek, Alfredo Morales - Dawid Kownacki, Rouwen Hennings (c).
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (c) - Benjamin Pavard, Javi Martinez, David Alaba, Alphonso Davies - Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka - Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman - Robert Lewandowski.
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Bayern Munich Odds
Dusseldorf to win: 12.
Bayern Munich to win: 2/11.
Draw: 7.0.
All the above odds are courtesy Bet365.
Key match facts
# 1: The Lewandowski factor
Robert Lewandowski has scored in each of the 11 Bundesliga games this season, which is a record for the longest scoring streak since the start of a German top-flight season. The Polish marksman's, whose 16 goals after 11 games is the most by any player, would carry the bulk of Bayern's attacking threat at the Merkur Spielarena, having scored in a 3-2 Euro 2020 qualifier win for Poland while on national duty.
#2: Bayern's recent form at the Dusseldorf Arena
Bayern have not returned with anything less than 3 points in their last eight Bundesliga trips to the home of Fortuna Dusseldorf since a 4-0 defeat in the 1985-86 season. During this period, Bayern have scored 21 goals and did not concede a goal on five occasions.
# 3: Bayern are back on the winning trail
Following their humbling 1-5 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on the 10th matchday of the season, Bayern have since rediscovered their swagger under interim boss Hansi Flick. The Bundesliga giants responded to the Franfurt setback with a 2-0 home win over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League and followed up by thumping arch rivals Borussia Dortmund 4-0 at home in the first Der Klassiker of the season.
Also check out:Bundesliga schedule Champions League Schedule Champions League table