Bayern Munich vs St. Pauli Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
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Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action at home to St. Pauli on the back of having been subjected to a first loss in the 2025-26 campaign.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Bayern Munich preview: Gunned down
After having made the best start to the season of any European club, Bayern Munich have been brought back to earth somewhat over the past few weeks. Their 100% record in the Bundesliga was ended by Union Berlin and after thrashing Freiburg this past weekend, Vincent Kompany’s side went on to suffer their first defeat of the season just four days later.
It was Premier League leaders Arsenal who brought to an end Bayern’s invincibility in the Champions League, beating them 3-1 in North London after wonderkid Lennart Karl had initially cancelled out the Gunners’ opening goal.
St. Pauli preview: Eight in a row
St. Pauli’s horrific losing run in the league grew to eight matches last weekend, as despite a valiant fight, Union Berlin got the better of them by a goal to nil as the toothless nature of Alexander Blessin’s attack was exposed. They remain inside the bottom three as a consequence of their latest loss.
A trip to the current runaway league leaders is hardly the game you want to face when suffering through such a terrible patch of form, but perhaps the lack of pressure on St. Pauli’s shoulders will work in their favour. Nobody will expect them to get anything out of it so this is essentially a free hit from their point of view.
Bayern Munich team news: Davies not ready
Despite being back on the training pitch, left-back Alphonso Davies is still not fit enough to be considered for selection. Attacker Jamal Musiala remains a longer-term absence.
Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Kim, Bischof; Kimmich, Goretzka; Karl, Olise, Diaz; Kane
Unavailable: Davies (Injured), Musiala (Injured)
Questionable:
St. Pauli team news: Pace crucial on the counter
If St. Pauli are to get anything here, they’ll need to effective on the counter-attack as Bayern push bodies forward. This could mean a start for the pacy Afolayan alongside Pereira Lage up top. Defender David Nemeth is out with a groin injury.
Predicted XI: (3-5-2): Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Pyrka, Fujita, Sands, Irvine, Oppie; Afolayan, Pereira Lage
Unavailable: Nemeth (Injured)
Questionable:
Bayern Munich vs St. Pauli prediction
When taking into account Bayern Munich’s demolition job of Freiburg and the fact that they are coming off the back of their first defeat this season in all competitions, it does not bode well for St. Pauli that they are next to step into the Allianz Arena. Bayern can beat you in multiple different ways whether it be scintillating individual play, a great team move or a set piece, goals always seem to come.
The last eight rounds of Bundesliga fixtures have seen St. Pauli on the losing. It would be a big shock if we didn’t see it for a ninth straight round. Back Bayern to dominate and triumph by at least three clear goals in Munich.
Bayern Munich vs St. Pauli tip: Bayern Munich to win with -2 handicap
