Bayern Munich vs. Wolfsburg: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Lewandowski ended a - by his standards - lengthy two-game goal drought on Tuesday with yet another brace as Bayern won 5-0 at VfB Stuttgart and claimed the nominal Herbstmeisterschaft title as the top side at the midpoint of the Bundesliga season. Both goals were created by Serge Gnabry, who also bagged himself a hat-trick in an excellent attacking display at his hometown club. The result was all the more impressive given the absence of first-choice midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, as well as next-in-line Corentin Tolisso. It meant youngsters Jamal Musiala and Marc Roca stepped into the breach. The latter in particular was the recipient of post-match praise from head coach Julian Nagelsmann. The pair may well be needed again in this final game of 2021, but Marcel Sabitzer is back - although not for a full 90 minutes - while Kingsley Coman will also miss out after he suffered a thigh strain in the first half at Stuttgart.

While Bayern have won their last four Bundesliga outings, Wolfsburg have lost four on the spin. The most recent setback came at home to Cologne on Tuesday as they twice threw away the lead and conceded a third in the last minute to lose 3-2. Brooks was an unused sub in that one, with Maxence Lacroix and Sebastiaan Bornauw preferred in central defence. Regardless of whether the USA international comes in, at least one change is needed at the back after Jerome Roussillon picked up his fifth yellow of the season. With Paulo Otavio and Kevin Mbabu injured, it will likely be Yannick Gerhardt at left-back. Felix Nmecha got a first start alongside brother Lukas, who was on the scoresheet with Wout Weghorst but will now miss the game after picking up an ankle injury.

Match stats

Wolfsburg are Lewandowski's favourite opponents. The 33-year-old has scored 23 goals in 20 Bundesliga games against them, including his unforgettable five-goal haul in nine minutes in September 2015.

Lewandowski's brace during the week saw him equal Gerd Müller's Bundesliga record of goals in a calendar year (42). Lewy has done so in 33 games so far, compared to Der Bomber's 34.

Bayern have won 38 of their 48 Bundesliga meetings with Wolfsburg, including 11 of the last 12 (plus one draw). They have never lost at home to the Wolves (W22, D2).

Weghorst has scored twice in six meetings with Bayern, but has been on the losing side each time.

Wolfsburg have just one point from their last five league games, which is the lowest total in the division.

New Wolfsburg coach Florian Kohfeldt was unbeaten in his first three games against Nagelsmann while in charge of Werder Bremen (W1, D2), but has lost each of the last five.

Probable line-ups

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies - Musiala, Roca - Gnabry, Müller, Sane - Lewandowski

Out: Choupo-Moting (match fitness), Coman (thigh), Goretzka (foot), Kimmich (lungs), Sarr (groin), Stanisic (thigh), Tolisso (muscular)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Baku, Lacroix, Bornauw, Gerhardt - Vranckx, Guilavogui, Arnold - Lukebakio, Weghorst, L. Nmecha

Out: Mbabu (muscular), Mehmedi (muscular), Otavio (knee), Philipp (muscular), Roussillon (suspended), Schlager (knee), William (knee)

Doubtful: Waldschmidt (ill)

Coach: Florian Kohfeldt