On Sunday, May 7, FC Ingolstadt 04 hosts Bayern Munich FC in week 33 of the German Bundesliga league season. The game will be played at the Audi-Sportpark in the city of Ingolstadt and will kick off at 14:30 BST.
The home side is currently 9th on the league table with 40 points from 32 games, while the visitors are top of the league table with 82 points from 32 games.
A win for the underdogs can see them end the weekend in 8th place, while a defeat could see them drop to 12th position in the standings. The title favorites will retain their position on the league table regardless of the outcome of this fixture.
Ingolstadt secure safetyLast season’s 2.Bundesliga winners Ingolstadt have done well to stay well above the relegation zone throughout the league campaign. They lie 7 points above the relegation zone, and will probably mentally be on holidays for this game.
Die Schanzer, managed by Ralph Hasenhüttl are in indifferent form, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five games. Their wins came in consecutive league games against Schalke 04 (3-0 on April 2), and Borussia Moenchengladbach (1-0 on April 9).
The newly promoted team could only manage a draw against Hannover 96 (2-2 on April 23), but suffered defeats at the hands of Ingolstadt (2-0 on April 16), and Hoffenheim (2-1 on April 30).
Bayern Munich within touching distance of titleBayern Munich, who have been scintillating all season, are a win away from clinching the title. They will also win the title regardless of the outcome of this game if Borussia Dortmund fail to win their game. Should they secure the title, it will be their 25th title, and their 4th consecutive league win.
The league leaders, managed by Pep Guardiola, are in good form, with three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five games in all competitions. These wins were league victories against Werder Bremen (2-0 on April 19), and Hertha BSC (0-2 on April 23). They also beatAthletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal tie (2-1 on May 3).
The 24 time Bundesliga Champions could only manage a draw against Borrusia Moenchengladbach (1-1 on April 30), but suffered defeat at the hands of Athletico Madrid in the Champions League (1-0 on April 27).
Ingolstadt are not a free scoring team, with a return of just 30 goals from 32 games, and therefore their chances of getting a positive result from this game might depend on the form of goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan. Fan favorite Thomas Muller’s penalty miss in the game against Athletico Madrid might have cost his side a place in the final, and he will be looking to atone for that miss by scoring the goals to seal the league title.
Ingolstadt have performed well above expectations this season, but with Bayern Munich gunning for the title, I expect this to be a step too far for them. Bayern to get the win to seal the title.
