High-flying Bayern Munich will be aiming to extend their flawless start to the Bundesliga season when they host Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena on Friday night, with kick-off at 19:30 (BST). Vincent Kompany’s men have been relentless in the early weeks of the campaign, while Bremen are still finding their feet under new boss Horst Steffen. 

Team form 

The defending champions have been nothing short of sensational. Bayern opened with a rampant 6-0 win over RB Leipzig and have slowed down since, following up with a 3-2 win over Augsburg, a 5-0 demolition of Hamburg and a comfortable 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim last weekend. 

With 18 goals scored and just three conceded in four matches, Kompany and his side have been playing with real swagger, and they already look set to be crowned Bundesliga champions once again. 

For Bremen, the picture is much bleaker. After finishing eighth last season, Ole Werner was replaced by Steffen in the summer, and the transition has been far from smooth. A 4-1 opening defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt was followed by a 3-3 draw against Bayer Leverkusen. 

A morale-boosting 4-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach looked like a potential turning point under their new boss, but they suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Freiburg last weekend. Tensions are already brewing off the pitch as well, with Steffen publicly criticising on-loan striker Victor Boniface. 

Head-to-head

Bayern have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides, including last season’s 5-0 win away from home and a 3-0 victory at the Allianz. Bremen’s shock 1-0 win in Munich in 2024 did endended a 27-game winless run against Bayern that stretched all the way back to 2008. Though all indicators point towards another dominant showing from Kompany’s side. 

Team news

Bayern received a boost with the news that Kim Min-jae avoided serious injury after being replaced with a calf problem against Hoffenheim and should be fit to make the squad. Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito have returned to training after lengthy absences, but this will likely still come too soon. 

Werder’s problems are compounded by injuries. Up to seven players could be unavailable to Steffen, including important winger Samuel Mbangula, who faces a race against time to recover from a thigh issue. His absence would be a major blow, with the youngster having impressed since arriving from Juventus. 

Key Stats

• Bayern Munich have averaged 4.5 goals per game this season.

• Harry Kane already has eight Bundesliga goals to his name.

• Luis Díaz and Serge Gnabry have each scored three and assisted twice in four games.

• Michael Olise has contributed three goals and one assist this campaign.

• Justin Njinmah is one of Werder’s bright sparks, with two goals in four games.

Prediction 

Bayern have been in swashbuckling form, brushing aside every opponent so far, and this clash looks no different. With Kane, Gnabry, Olise and summer signing Diaz firing on all cylinders, Werder could be in for a torrid evening at the Allianz. Kompany’s men should be well on course to cruise to another emphatic win.