On Saturday, December 19, Hannover 96 hosts Bayern Munich in a Bundesliga week 17 fixture. The game will be played at the HDI-Arena in the city of Hannover and will kick off at 14:30 BST.
The home side is currently 16th on the 18 team table with 14 points from 16 games, while the visitors are top of the league, with 43 points from 16 games.
A win for the underdogs can see them climb three places to 13th while a defeat could see them end the weekend at the foot of the table. Bayern Munich will retain their position at the top of the table regardless of the outcome of this fixture.
Die Roten, managed by Michael Frontzeck are in dismal form, with one win and four defeats in their last five games. This single win was against Ingolstadt (4-0 on November 28).
The relegation candidates were defeated by Arminia Bielefeld in a club friendly(2-1 on November 13), and in league games against Borrusia Moechengladbach (2-1 on November 21), Schalke04 (3-1 on December 4), and Hoffenheim (1-0 on December 12).
The reigning champions, managed by Pep Guardiola, are in very good form, with four wins and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions. These wins include league victories against Hertha BSC (2-0 on November 28), and Ingolstadt (2-0 on December 12). They also defeated Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League (0-2 on December 12), and Darmstadt 98 in the German Cup (1-0 on December 15).
The only recent defeat for Pep Guardiola’s team was the league defeat against Borussia Moechengladbach (3-1 on December 5).
Hannover goalkeeper Ron Zieler will have to be in magnificent form if his team are to stand a chance of leaving this game with any points. The Bavarians, boasting the fire power of Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski will be hoping to once again find the back of the net and heap misery on their hosts.
It will take a miracle for Hannover 96 to get anything from this game giving their dismal run of current form. Bayern Munich to win this game comfortably.