Bundesliga: Only Wolfsburg Can Stand In Bayern’s Way

VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich

FC Bayern continue their quest for the 2021 Bundesliga title on Saturday when they meet high-flying Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena.

Should Bayern Munich come out of this fixture unscathed, then it will all look pretty good for the reigning champions. The Bundesliga 2021 betting odds here at SBOTOP have the leaders nailed on to win a ninth consecutive title, and if they overcome this tough task then surely it’s in the bag.

But it’s a fairly big ‘if’. Oliver Glasner’s Wolfsburg are a formidable opponent as they’re unbeaten at home and well on course to qualify for the 2021/22 Champions League, currently in third place and eight points clear of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund.

This match is Bayern’s biggest obstacle to overcome and they must do it without the injured Robert Lewandowski.

Talking Points

Flick eyes his second Bundesliga triumph

Bayern head coach Hansi Flick has enjoyed a highly successful reign since taking over in November 2019. During those 18 months, the Bavarians have won no less than six trophies and there are surely more to come.

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But the news that the Germany national team coach Joachim Low is set to leave his role at the end of Euro 2020 has raised some eyebrows in Munich.

Former Germany and FC Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus has already voiced his opinion that Flick could be the man to take the national team on and he could be a good fit for a group in transition.

But whether he stays or goes, he has business to attend to at the Allianz Arena where his side is homing in on the second Bundesliga title during his short tenure. Die Bayern are in pole position – five points clear of second-placed RB Leipzig with six rounds remaining.

Of course, the big Bundesliga 2021 news of recent weeks has been the injury of Bayern’s talisman Robert Lewandowski.

With 35 goals from 25 matches, the Pole has been as lethal as ever, but a knee ligament strain has kept him sidelined over the last two weeks and he has just returned to light training. So Bayern may be without their main man for a few more games yet.

Bayern went out of the Champions League on Tuesday and that was a huge blow to the 2020 champions, so now they must concentrate on domestic matters.

Bundesliga Update: Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick hints at replacing Germany boss Joachim Low this summer — Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick after the match vs 1. FC Union Berlin

Flick has plenty more talent at his disposal of course. He still has the ever-reliable Thomas Muller who has 10 goals and 13 assists, while nine-goal Serge Gnabry can keep his star rising if he can make up for Lewandowski’s absence.

Wolves ready to bite back

Oliver Glasner’s Wolfsburg are backed to finish in third place – a position they have occupied for much of the campaign and they will be hungry for more points after a brief setback in Round 28.

Wolfsburg went down to a 4-3 defeat to Frankfurt last week – a result which lifted fourth placed Eintracht seven points clear of BVB. But a win for Die Wolfe here would have all but confirmed their top four position.

Wout Weghorst has been in great form again – bagging 18 goals this season. But the hosts will be without injured midfield man Renato Steffen.

Steffen has been a key player with five goals and four assists, though 22-year-old winger Josip Brekalo should make a start. The young Croatian looks a real talent and he scored the only goal in Wolfsburg’s recent home victory over Cologne.

History

Wolfsburg haven’t had much success against Bayern over the years, winning just five and drawing six of the last 54 meetings over 24 years.

Bayern won the return match in December 2-1 when Lewandowski scored twice as he passed the 250-goal mark in the Bundesliga.

But Die Wolfe have been brilliant at home this season, unbeaten with nine wins and four draws and Bayern’s four-match winning streak on the road is under threat.

Betting Tip

	VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich	VfL Wolfsburg Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.92
	April 17, 21:30 (GMT+8)

There is some pressure creeping up on Bayern as they’re out of Europe and they have yet to shake off RB Leipzig in the domestic league.

This is the toughest game of the champions’ run-in. But should they slip up here, then a match against Bayer Leverkusen next week will suddenly appear more difficult.

FC Bayern are at 1.95 to win this game with their hosts at odds of 3.45 and the draw is available at 3.40.

I believe Flick will ultimately guide his team to its ninth successive Bundesliga, but not just yet since there is still work to be done.

And while a draw against Wolfsburg isn’t ideal, this is a game Bayern do not want to lose and they may have to settle for one more point to nudge them closer to the title.