Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich kick off the highly anticipated 2019/20 campaign against Hertha Berlin in the season opener on Friday. Bayern will also begin their bid of winning eight straight league titles. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the Bundesliga here.
Reigning champions Bayern Munich are looking to continue with their terrific Bundesliga form when they march inside the Allianz Arena on Friday for the season opener. Bayern have lost just one league match since November 2018, winning 18 and drawing four. Following their Super Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Bayern will also be looking to lay down an early marker for the season.
Hertha Berlin have taken points off Bayern in each of the past three seasons and they will travel to Munich with confidence. The two-time German champions begin the 2019/2020 Bundesliga campaign with a new face in the Olympiastadion dugout, Ante Covic who is replacing Pal Dardai. Hertha will be looking to start strongly against the giants as they begin their quest for their target of a top-half finish and European football. Can they get something from Munich?
Betting preview
Bayern have not lost on Match Day 1 since 2002, winning 14 and drawing three. They have won their last seven opening fixtures on their way to the title. Bayern won their last game 1-0 in the first half against Energie Cottbus in the DFB Pokal. Bayern’s pedigree and home advantage also point to a first-half win. Therefore you can back a Home First Half Win at odds of 1.55.
Bayern Munich have scored five or more goals in four of their last six home matches. For that reason, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.40.
Both teams have not scored in three of the last five matches between these two. Hertha Berlin have failed to score in their last five away matches at Bayern Munich. On that account, odds of 1.75 for Both Teams to Score No look attractive.
Team news
Mats Hummels, Rafinha, James Rodríguez, Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben have all left Bayern Munich, but the defence has been bolstered with French World Cup winners Lucas Hernández and Benjamin Pavard. Javi Martinez is a doubt for this clash.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Valentino Lazaro was sold to Inter Milan but they signed Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic to another loan deal. Dedryck Boyata, Eduard Löwen and Daishawn Redan also joined the club but the biggest signing has been winger Dodi Lukebakio from Watford. Javairo Dilrosun, Arne Maier and Peter Pekarík are doubtful for this clash while Marvin Plattenhardt is out.
Possible line-ups
Bayern: Neuer, Kimmich, Süle, Pavard, Alaba, Goretzka, Thiago, Tolisso, Gnabry, Lewandowski, Coman
Hertha: Jarstein, Klünter, Stark, Rekik, Mittelstädt, Grujic, Duda, Darida, Lukebakio, Ibisevic, Kalou