Bayern Munich will be aiming to rack up a fifth successive league victory when they host Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
The visitors, meanwhile, head to Munich in seventh position in the table having won two consecutive games themselves.
Match preview
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Having endured a winless run of four league games prior to September's international break, Bayern have since returned with some style by winning 10 of 11 matches in all competitions.
Julian Nagelsmann's side survived a scare against Hertha Berlin in the capital on Saturday to hold out for a 3-2 win, with Jamal Musiala breaking the deadlock after 12 minutes before Eric Choupo-Moting scored for the seventh straight game by bagging a brace before half time.
However, Hertha responded through Dodi Lukebakio and David Selke's converted penalty, but the Bavarians strangled the second half through dominant possession to rack up an eighth consecutive win, despite the hosts having more shots on target across the course of the match.
In their penultimate match prior to the World Cup beginning in Qatar later this month, Nagelsmann will be demanding that his side maintain their winning streak and end this period remaining at the top of the Bundesliga table after Union Berlin's surprise 5-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
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Werder Bremen, meanwhile, continue to defy pre-season expectations by riding high in the table following their promotion last season.
They defeated fellow promoted team Schalke 04, who finished above Bremen as champions of the second tier last season, 2-1 on Saturday evening, with Niclas Fullkrug becoming the second player after RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku to move onto double figures in terms of goals in the Bundesliga this season.
The victory moved Ole Werner's side 14 points clear of the automatic relegation places, suggesting that they should be targeting a European qualification position this season rather than having any thoughts about fighting against returning to 2. Bundesliga.
However, they will require an exceptional performance if they are not to return from Munich empty-handed, but after amassing 21 points from their opening 13 matches, Bremen can almost treat the match like a free hit with nothing to fear.
Team News
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Bayern suffered a major blow during their win against Hertha at the weekend, with Alphonso Davies appearing to be a doubt to compete for Canada in Qatar after being forced to come off due to a hamstring injury.
Matthijs de Ligt was absent due to a knee issue and is unlikely to be risked ahead of the World Cup, but Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane all featured in Berlin after recovering from recent injuries and may all start on Tuesday.
Thomas Muller, Josip Stanisic and Bouna Sarr will remain sidelined, with Benjamin Pavard likely to continue at centre-back given Nagelsmann's lack of defensive options.
Bremen, meanwhile, will travel without Lee Buchanan, Felix Agu, Dudu and Jean-Manuel Mbom due to illness and injury issues.
Werner could restore Anthony Jung to his side at left wing-back in order to provide more energy down that flank, but few changes are expected to be made from a winning team.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez; Sabitzer, Kimmich; Sane, Musiala, Mane; Choupo-Moting
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Pieper, Veljkovic, Friedl; Weiser, Schmid, Gruev, Bittencourt, Jung; Fullkrug, Ducksch
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Werder Bremen
We can envisage Bremen giving their illustrious opponents plenty of problems given the form of their two forwards, but they are likely to be beaten in the end.
Bayern have been in imperious form since returning from September's international break, climbing top of the table as a result, with Choupo-Moting's goals providing an unexpected boost for them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
