Friday Night Football: Bayern Munich V Werder Bremen Live Streaming & Preview

Friday 26th August. 7:30PM
Live streaming available at Bet365

It’s another weekend in August, which can only mean that another one of Europe’s elite leagues is about to get underway for the 2016-17.

On Friday night, it’s the turn of German champions Bayern Munich to start their title defence as they welcome Werder Bremen to the Allianz Arena. With two of the country’s top sides in action, this should be a fascinating early season showdown. You can watch the action unfold live with Bet365.

And hopefully we’ll win some bets too.

Business As Usual For Bayern

There may have been a change of management at the Allianz Arena, but Bayern Munich have started life under Carlo Ancelotti just as everyone expected – by winning.

The Bavarians have already won the German Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Dortmund before following that up with an easy 5-0 DFB Pokal victory against Carl Zeiss Jena. With Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick in the latter, it almost feels as though nothing has changed at all.

Ancelotti will be thrilled to have the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben back in action, especially as Kingsley Coman suffered a training ground injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. Elsewhere, Bayern’s star-studded squad looks as strong as ever as they embark on what is likely to be another successful title defence.

However, Werder Bremen could be a difficult first test of the Bundesliga season. Nevertheless, if Bayern are at their best, it will be a routine three points.

Can Werder Capitalise On Opening Night Nerves?

Viktor Skripnik’s men started their campaign with an embarrassing cup defeat to 3.Liga outfit Sportfreunde Lotte, but Bremen will be optimistic ahead of the new Bundesliga campaign. While European qualification will be the ambition, the expectations will be minimal as they travel to Bayern, which could potentially make them more dangerous.

The visitors have nothing to lose at the Allianz while Max Kruse and co. are more than capable of causing a few problems. The main issue for Bremen will be getting hold of the ball. They’ve failed to score in any of the last five head-to-head meetings with Bayern, which is a major cause for concern.

Last season, they suffered a 5-0 loss here, as well as 2-0 defeat in the DFB Pokal. Even if Bayern are slightly off the pace, Werder’s defensive unit will need to be at its very best. Otherwise it could be a very long night for the travelling supporters.

The odds are stacked against Bremen, but anything can happening on the opening weekend. One way or the other, it should be a fascinating watch.

Bayern Munich V Werder Bremen Betting

Unsurprisingly, it’s Bayern who enter Friday night’s clash as the overwhelming favourites with Bet365 pricing them at just 1/9. A shock away win can be backed at 22/1 while the draw is available at 7s.

If there’s one thing that we can expect from Ancelotti’s Bayern, it’s greater defensive stability. Those very slight weaknesses did cost them in the Champions League under Pep Guardiola, and that’s something the new boss will stamp out.

Given the recent head-to-head record, we have to fancy another clean sheet for the hosts. At the other end, the possibility of drawing a blank looks virtually impossible. Back Bayern to win via a shutout.

It’s hard to predict how many goals Bayern will score, but it’s fair to say that Ribery will be desperate to be amongst them.

The Frenchman has been restricted to just 28 Bundesliga appearances in two years, and will hope to enjoy an injury free run starting now. Let’s hope he can cap it by scoring the opening goal of the 2016-17 season.