Bayern Munich will aim to reclaim the Bundesliga title when they host FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The 2024/25 Bundesliga season resumes this week with Matchday 31 as we approach the final days of the ongoing campaign. The latest round of fixtures starts on Friday, but the action on Saturday will kick off with five simultaneous matches, including Bayern Munich vs FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich might not have dominated the Bundesliga campaign like most recent title wins. However, they have barely looked like slipping up in the race, leading the charge since Matchday 3. The Bavarian giants have lost only twice in the top flight this season, and the consistency has left Bayer Leverkusen in the dust, with the defending champions eight points behind Die Roten. So, winning the title is a formality for Vincent Kompany and his charges.

On the other hand, FSV Mainz 05 had been slow off the blocks in the 2024/25 campaign, winning only two of the opening nine Bundesliga games to sit in the 13th spot in the standings. Since then, the 05ers have turned things around, although they have slipped up in their recent outings. Bo Henriksen’s men have failed to win their last four league games, with the run dropping them from fourth to sixth, two points behind RB Leipzig.

The reverse fixture was one of the most memorable days this season for FSV Mainz 05 as they beat Bayern Munich 2-1 at the MEWA Arena. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Bayern Munich

Vincent Kompany has no new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Bayern Munich manager will be bereft of the services of as many as half a dozen first-team players vs FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday.

Jamal Musiala and Dayot Upamecano are the most notable absentees as they face a race against time to return before the 2024/25 season ends. The duo accompanies Manuel Neuer, Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, and Leon Goretzka on the sidelines.

Jonas Urbig will continue to deputise for Manuel Neuer between the sticks, with Bayern Munich lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Mainz on Saturday. The backline should feature Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, and Raphael Guerreiro.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic in the double pivot. Thomas Muller will reprise the no. 10 role, with Leroy Sane and Michael Olise being the two wide attackers. Finally, Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich against Mainz on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane

FSV Mainz 05

Unlike his counterpart in the Bayern Munich dugout, Bo Henriksen barely has any issues to worry about ahead of the trip to the Allianz Arena. The FSV Mainz 05 manager might be without four first-team players on Saturday.

In addition, Henriksen will greet the return of Paul Nebel after serving his suspension. The Mainz manager has been sweating over the fitness of Ludovic Ajorque and Stefan Bell, although the duo should be available. However, Maxim Leitsch and Moritz Jenz remain on the sidelines.

Robin Zentner is the automatic pick between the sticks, with FSV Mainz 05 lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Bayern Munich on Saturday. The central defensive unit should feature Danny Da Costa, Stefan Bell, and Dominik Kohr.

Anthony Caci and Phillipp Mwene will likely start as the wing-backs, with Nadiem Amiri and Kaishu Sano pairing up in the middle of the park. Finally, Jonathan Burkardt will spearhead the FSV Mainz 05 attack against Bayern Munich, with Paul Nebel and Lee Jae-sung providing creative support.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zentner; Da Costa, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt

Key Stats

• FSV Mainz 05 are the only team to have beaten Bayern four times in the last five Bundesliga seasons (including 2024/25). However, the Bavarian giants have won their seven most recent Bundesliga home games against Mainz. The most recent encounter at the Allianz Arena ended in a spectacular 8-1 win for Die Roten.
• Bayern Munich have already amassed 72 points, the same amount as the entire 2023/24 season. The last time they suffered just two defeats was in the 2016/17 campaign under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
• No team in the Bundesliga has won more balls high up the pitch (291) or created more pressing sequences (437). Interestingly, Mainz are right behind in both categories (258 “high ball” wins, 405 pressing sequences).
• Thomas Muller is on the verge of his 13th Bundesliga title, while his next appearance for Bayern in the Bundesliga will be his 500th outing.
• Bayern Munich have conceded the fewest first-half goals in the Bundesliga this season (11), while FSV Mainz 05 have let in the fewest in the second half (17). In addition, the 05ers have the third-best defence in the league (36) – on a par with St. Pauli – behind Bayern (29) and  Bayer Leverkusen (35).

Player to Watch

Harry Kane

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While Jonathan Burkardt, Michael Olise, and milestone man Thomas Muller were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Harry Kane as the Player to Watch for Saturday’s Bundesliga game between Bayern Munich and FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena.

The English international has set a new record with 60 goals in his first 60 Bundesliga outings. The 31-year-old also has the chance to become the first player in Bundesliga history to become the top scorer in his first two seasons. Kane currently leads the way with 24 goals ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick (18). Expect him to inch closer to ending the race for the Torjägerkanone.

Prediction

Bayern Munich 2-1 FSV Mainz 05

Bayern Munich and FSV Mainz 05 have locked horns in several engaging encounters in the last few seasons. In addition, with the home side having a depleted defensive unit, the visitors should fancy their prospects, with Jonathan Burkardt making his mark in the final third.

However, Harry Kane is on a roll, while Thomas Muller is on a mission to end his spell with Bayern Munich on a high. Expect a closely contested affair to end in a narrow victory for the Bavarian giants. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Vincent Kompany and his charges.