St. Pauli vs. Bayern Munich preview: Hosts hoping for shock result | OneFootball

St. Pauli

St. Pauli are once again in a bad place. Three wins in four games in February gave Alexander Blessin's side life after a long winless stretch. However, four games and two points later, St. Pauli sit in 16th, two points off 1. FC Köln and guaranteed safety.

Last weekend's result was a step in the right direction, with St. Pauli earning a point away to Union Berlin. However, St. Pauli went ahead early against an Union side that had won only one of their previous four games, making it a missed opportunity. A 93rd-minute red card also leaves St. Pauli without captain Jackson Irvine.

History is certainly on Bayern's side. You have to go back to 2002 for St. Pauli's last win against the Bavarians, which did come at the Millerntor-Stadion. Bayern have won ten of the last eleven clashes between the two.

Team News:

St. Pauli are missing Irvine due to suspension, while neither Manolis Saliakas nor Eric Smith will be available to play. James Sands and Ricky Jade-Jones remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

Joel Chima Fujita and Tomoya Andō are back in the squad.

Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Vasilj, Ando, Wahl, Mets, Pyrka, Rasmussen, Fujita, Ritzka, Sinani, Lage, Kaars

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich, unsurprisingly, continue to march on. Vincent Kompany's side have lost just one of 28 Bundesliga games this season, although Freiburg certainly gave them a scare by going up 2-0 at Europa-Park Stadion last weekend. Three late goals gave Bayern a 3-2 win.

The drama continued midweek, as a Man of the Match performance from 40-year-old Manuel Neuer helped Bayern to a 2-1 win. With the return leg in mind, Vincent Kompany could rotate, but he didn't commit to making many changes.

Bayern may have an impressive record against St. Pauli, but they have not made it easy in recent years. Two of the last three wins have been by just one goal, while the two sides were tied 1-1 before two quick strikes after the 93rd minute gave Bayern a 3-1 win back in November.

Team News:

Lennart Karl recently picked up an injury and will miss several weeks. He joins a list of young talents with injuries that already includes Cassiano Kiala, David Santos, and Wisdom Mike.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Laimer, Min-jae, Ito, Davies, Goretzka, Bischof, Gnabry, Guerreiro, Musiala, Jackson