Borussia Monchengladbach vs Wolfsburg
Borussia Park, Monchengladbach
Tuesday, 16-06-2020 @7:30pm
Borussia Monchengladbach’s hopes of achieving a Champions League berth this season have taken a hit after successive defeats but they can get back on track with victory over Wolfsburg at Borussia Park.
Gladbach lost to Freiburg, having been reduced to ten men with 20 minutes remaining, before a hard-fought 2-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich last time out and could have arguably got more from both matches.
Key forward Alassane Plea was suspended for their previous encounter but should return to the first-team fold for the clash at their North Rhine-Westphalia home, where they have been difficult to break down this season.
Gladbach have won ten of their 15 home league assignments this season, beating leaders Bayern Munich there back in December, and have failed to score in their own backyard only once this season in the Bundesliga.
Marcus Thuram’s involvement remains uncertain after he sustained a knock in their defeat to Bayern but they nonetheless have enough quality in the attacking third to cause Wolfsburg problems, having scored 35 goals in their 15 home fixtures.
Wolfsburg have enjoyed a decent enough record on the road this season, winning away from home eight times, but they have simply been conceding too many goals of late and their recent form does not justify them getting anything out of this match.
They relinquished a two-goal lead at home to Freiburg last time out, drawing 2-2 after conceding either side of the break, meaning they have shipped in five of their six league matches since the restart.
They have claimed only two wins in their last five assignments and Borussia Monchengladbach are a solid match result prediction.
Glasner will assess the fitness of his Wolfsburg side before making a decision on whether to retain the same starting lineup. Having been used as a substitute in the last two games, Yannick Gerhardt could be handed a recall in midfield, potentially in place of Xaver Schlager.
Monchengladbach are boosted by the return of Alassane Plea, who missed the trip to Bayern through suspension.However, while the Frenchman should be restored down the centre, Marcus Thuram and Breel Embolo are huge doubts having both been substituted at the weekend. Tony Jantschke may also come into the team at the expense of centre-back Nico Elvedi.
Borussia Monchengladbach have lost only three matches at Borussia Park this season – against Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. Both teams have scored in 21 of Borussia Monchengladbach’s 31 league matches this term. Three of Wolfsburg’s last four matches have featured over 2.5 goals.
Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich
Wohninvest WERSERSTADION, Bremen
Tuesday, 16-06-2020 @9:30pm
Bayern are once again on the verge of sealing the Bundesliga title, following an excellent turnaround under Hansi Flick.
Heading into this midweek’s clash against Werder Bremen, the Bavarians are at the top of the league table with a seven-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
The Bavarians could have sealed the title last season, had it not been for Erling Haaland’s last-minute winner against Fortuna Dusseldorf that saw Borussia Dortmund all three points in a tight encounter. Nevertheless, with just three games remaining, a win for the visitors should be enough to guarantee the league title.
Bremen, on the other hand, are facing a completely different situation. The Northern giants are in the midst of a relegation scrap, having conjured up just 28 points on the board.
Although they are coming on the back of a morale-boosting 5-1 win over SC Paderborn on the weekend, a victory against Bayern could be imperative if they are to finish at least ahead of Fortuna.
Die Grunweissen are currently standing 17th on the league table, level on points with 16th placed Fortuna Dusseldorf, who have a better goal difference.
With both Fortuna and Mainz(15th) facing strong challenges against RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund respectively, Werder would look to salvage at least a point against the record champions this midweek.
After missing out against Monchengladbach through suspension, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski will be handed an immediate recall. The return to the experienced duo is likely to lead to Michael Cuisance and Joshua Zirkzee dropping down to the substitutes’ bench. Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman are also expected to be recalled down the left-hand side at the expense of Lucas Hernandez and Ivan Perisic.
Barring any late injury issues, Kohfeldt is unlikely to make many changes to his Bremen starting lineup. Leonardo Bittencourt could be handed a recall, potentially at the expense of Josh Sargent, having been rested at the weekend.
Bremen are the league’s third-lowest scorers (35) and have the second leakiest defence (64). Their lack of goals has not been for the want of trying. Sargent – owner of three goals and two assists – has averaged a shot on goal every 59 minutes. Fellow Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro scored 87 times in 224 league games with Bayern across two spells at the club, winning six Bundesliga titles as well as the 2013 UEFA Champions League. Bayern have scored a Bundesliga record 92 goals after 31 rounds of fixtures. Returning pair Lewandowski and Müller are the league’s top scorer and provider respectively. Lewandowski has plundered 30 goals, while Müller has laid on 20.
The other Bundesliga match-day 32 fixtures
Tuesday, 16-06-2020
-Freiburg vs Hertha Berlin @9:30pm
-Union Berlin vs Paderbon @9:30pm
Wednesday, 17-06-2020
-Frankfurt vs Schalke 04 @7:30pm
-Dortmund vs Mainz @9:30pm
-Leipzig vs Dusseldorf @9:30pm
-Leverkusen vs Koln @9:30pm
-Augsburg vs Hoffenheim @9:30pm
