Bayern Munich will look to make it four wins in a row in the Bundesliga when they hit the road to square up against Hoffenheim.

Bayern Munich are the only team with a 100 per cent record in the Bundesliga, and they will be looking to build on it when they face Hoffenheim, who are currently sixth on the points table, having made a decent start to the new campaign.

The home team have won two and lost one out of their first three league games. They started the season with an impressive 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen, but couldn’t back it up against Eintracht Frankfurt (3-1 defeat). But they did manage to get things back on track against Union Berlin.

Having scripted a 4-2 win in their last outing, Hoffenheim will be confident about their chances against Bayern Munich. However, it won’t be that straightforward, as they will have a lot of defending to do. While they were lucky that Union Berlin did not make the most out of the chances they created, that is unlikely to happen against Bayern, as they have a star-studded attack.

The visitors have won all six of their fixtures across competitions in the new season. They started their league campaign with a massive 6-0 win over RB Leipzig, followed it up with a 3-2 win over Augsburg, before smashing Hambruger SV 5-0.

Bayern Munich are heading into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League. Given the kind of form they have been in, they are clear favourites to script yet another win against Hoffenheim. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

TSG Hoffenheim

The home team will be without the services of Kelven Frees, Adam Hlozek, Koki Machida, and Valentin Gendrey. Apart from the quartet, everyone else is expected to be available for selection for the home side.

Against Bayern Munich, TSG Hoffenheim will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Oliver Baumann will be in goal. Vladimir Coufal and Bernardo will feature as the full-backs, while Robin Hranac will partner with Albian Hajdari in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Leon Avdullahu will partner with Wouter Burger in the middle of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure Bayern Munich midfielders do not run the show.

Fisnik Asllani and Bazoumana Toure will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Andrej Kramaric will take up the number ten role, while Tim Lemperle is expected to spearhead the Hoffenheim attack against Bayern Munich.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo; Burger, Avdullahu; Asllani, Kramaric, Toure; Lemperle

Bayern Munich

Vincent Kompany has no fresh injury concerns, but he remains without the services of Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito. The Belgian manager is expected to make a few changes to the XI that started in their UEFA Champions League outing against Chelsea.

Against TSG Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Manuel Neuer will take charge in goal. Sacha Boey and Konrad Laimer will feature as the full-backs, while Dayot Upamecano will partner with Jonathan Tah in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Joshua Kimmich should form the double pivot along with Leon Goretzka in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball.

Serge Gnabry could take up the number ten role, with Michael Olise and Luis Diaz featuring out wide on the flanks. Finally, star striker Harry Kane will continue to lead the line for Bayern Munich against TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane

Key Stats

• Bayern Munich are the only team with a 100 per cent record in the German top flight after three rounds of fixtures.
• Vincent Kompany’s team have won all six of their games in the new season.
• Hoffenheim have scored at least two goals in eight out of their last ten competitive outings.
• Bayern Munich have bagged 22 goals in their six outings this season.
• Hoffenheim’s defeat at the hands of Frankfurt was their third consecutive defeat at home.

Player to Watch

Harry Kane

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The 32-year-old striker has picked up right where he left off last season. Kane is averaging over two goal contributions per game in the new campaign, scoring ten goals and providing three assists in just six outings.

Given the kind of form the former Tottenham captain is in, he is bound to have a major influence on the outcome of this fixture. Hoffenheim will find it difficult to contain Kane, and even a half-chance could be enough for him to make the difference.

Prediction

Hoffenheim 0-3 Bayern Munich

Hoffenheim have shown promise in patches this season and will take confidence from their recent 4-2 triumph over Union Berlin. However, their defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, and facing Bayern Munich’s relentless attack is a far sterner test. If they allow the visitors the kind of chances Union created, they could find themselves punished heavily.

Bayern, on the other hand, have been ruthless so far, winning all six of their matches across competitions and scoring goals for fun. With Harry Kane in red-hot form and plenty of support around him, Vincent Kompany’s men look well placed to extend their perfect run. The visitors should have too much quality on the day and are expected to claim a comfortable victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the away team.