D1 - Football - Germany - Bundesliga

Bayern Munich are heavy favourites in their home match against promoted Mainz on Saturday and will look for revenge for their 1-2 loss earlier this season.
Bayern Munich got a valuable 3-2 away win against Bremen last weekend to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games in the Bundesliga. In probably their best game, van Gaal´s men dominated the hosts and should have won this game much more comfortable. In front of their home fans, Bayern won their last three and scored at least twice in each of them. French international Ribery made his comeback last weekend but the dutch coach announced that he won´t change his starting XI.
Mainz beat an out of form Hannover side by a single goal to improve to eighth place in the standings. The promotion winning side are just seven points behind a European Cup place but more important are ten ahead of the danger zone. The team of coach Thomas Tuchel have yet to loose at home and have even beaten today´s rivals but on the road, Mainz have not been so successful. The team won only six of their 27 points on the road and got three successive defeats conceding seven goals. Bad news for coach Tuchel is that Heller is out for some weeks while Karhan, Svensson and Löw are all very doubtful.
Mainz became the first of only two teams able to beat Bayern domestically but the hosts are in excellent form and had no problems to create chances in recent games. Bayern have found their rhythm and it will be very tough game for the visitors, who have however nothing to loose. But dutch winger Arjen Robben is in excellent form and Mainz have personal problems at their back and Bayern should win this tie quite comfortable.

Record Date : 30/01/2010 06:57