Bongarts
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
HERTHA BERLIN  Kraft Lell, Hubnik, Janker, Bastians Perdedaj, Ottl, Niemeyer Raffael, Ramos Lasogga | BAYERN MUNICH  Neuer Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba Luiz Gustavo, Kroos Robben, Muller, Ribery Gomez |
Otto Rehhagel will have to do without veteran defensive midfielder Levan Kobiashvili, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards last week. Fabian Lustenberger and long-term casualty Maik Franz are also set to miss out on the match.
The trainer is expected to use a defensive 4-3-2-1 formation to lock down the centre of the park. Youngster Fanol Perdedaj, as well as Andreas Ottl and Peter Niemeyer will sit in front of the back four.
Jupp Heynckes is expected to retain the starting XI that featured in 7-1 and 7-0 wins against Hoffenheim and Basel, respectively, over the last week. If he does, that means Bastian Schweinsteiger will start the game on the bench. However, the vice-captain could return to the first XI, most likely replacing Thomas Muller.
Daniel van Buyten and Breno, who are still in rehabilitation, and are still far from fit to return, with both set to miss the match.
| DID YOU KNOW |
Hertha Berlin have lost seven of their last eight matches.
- The promoted side have scored just twice in eight matches since the winter break.
- No Hertha player has scored more than one Bundesliga goal since the beginning of December.
- Bayern Munich have failed to win each of their last four away matches in the Bundesliga. They last took three points on the road in Stuttgart on December 11, 2011.
- Mario Gomez has scored seven goals in his last two games, and could make his 250th appearance in German league football.
- Franck Ribery has scored 11 Bundesliga goals this season, equal to his best return since moving to Munich in 2007.
While it is true that Bayern have not proven their quality away from home in quite some time, their prolific form at the Allianz Arena should carry them to victory in Berlin. Hertha are in serious trouble now, and their weakness in wide areas will be a key disadvantage against a Bayern side that will enjoy using the full breadth of the pitch.
Editor's Prediction
Hertha BSC 0-3 Bayern 
