Hannover face impossible Bayern München task

Hannover vs Bayern München – Saturday, April 21, 14:30BST/15:30CEST – HDI Arena, Hannover, Germany

Hannover vs Bayern München will take place at the HDI Arena in Hannover. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bayern’s final match before the decisive Champions League clashes against Real Madrid will take place on Saturday in Hannover. Just days after reaching the final of the DFB Pokal Hannover will just be considered an in-between step for Bayern.

That is not to say that der Rekordmeister will not take this game serious. Jupp Heynckes has stated on several occasions that to reach the maximum and win all three competitions the squad will have to give their maximum in every match including the league, despite the fact that Bayern have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title.

A serious approach by Bayern is bad news for Hannover 96. With 36 points Hannover are six points away from the drop zone and will need three more points to be 100% sure to avoid relegation – no club in the history of the Bundesliga has been relegated with 39 points.

A likely defeat to Bayern on the weekend would leave Hannover with three more match points to reach safety. But with opposition brewing towards President Martin Kind, who wants to become the majority owner of the club, Hannover will be without the hardcore support on Saturday at the HDI Arena. Another defeat would further fuel the crisis and could make it difficult for the club to work in calm until the end of the season.

Hannover vs Bayern München – Players to look out for:

Ihlas Bebou #13 – Hannover 96

Ihlas Bebou was Hannover’s shooting star of the Hinrunde. In the second half of the season, however, his form has somewhat dropped. Despite not having scored since matchday 17 the Togolese forward, however, remains Hannover’s most exciting prospect and with five goals and two assists already to his name, it will be only a matter of time for him to find the goal again.

Ihlas Bebou has been a fantastic addition for Hannover 96. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Sandro Wagner #2 – Bayern München

For the first time this season Jupp Heynckes may opt to start Sandro Wagner and Robert Lewandowski together up front. In that case expect Lewandowski to drop a bit deeper and Sandro Wagner playing as a target man, who will try to create room for his Polish teammate.

Sandro Wagner and Robert Lewandowski could start together on the weekend. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Hannover vs Bayern München – Match Stats

• Bayern München have managed 15 clean sheets this season. The most in the Bundesliga.
• Hannover 96, in the meantime, are last together with Köln with just five clean sheets.
• Hannover’s head coach André Breitenreiter has lost all five of his matches against Bayern.
• Hannover’s record at home against Bayern is: W8 D6 L13

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Hannover vs Bayern München 0-4

Hannover vs Bayern München – Lineups

Hannover 96:

Formation: 5-4-1

Tschauner – Sorg, Sané, Hübers – Korb, Albornoz – Schwegler, Bakalorz – Harnik, Bebou – Füllkrug

Head Coach: André Breitenreiter

Bayern München:

Formation: 4-1-2-3

Ulreich – Kimmich, Boateng, Süle, Rafinha – Tolisso, Rudy, James, Juant Bernat – Lewandowski, Wagner

Head Coach: Jupp Heynckes

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth. Or contact him via email: manuelveth@futbolgrad.com.