Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin Prediction: A must-win for the reigning champions

Bayern Munich are in unfamiliar territory in the Bundesliga. The reigning champions are second in the table and find themselves seven points behind Xabi Alonso's inspired Bayer Leverkusen, who remain unbeaten after 18 matches.

Thomas Tuchel's men cannot say the same as they have been beaten twice already this season, with both defeats coming in their last five outings against Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Die Roten have a chance to make up ground on Leverkusen in midweek as they host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night (19:30) in their rearranged fixture from last month. A victory will see them cut the deficit to four points and you feel that they simply have to come away with the spoils in this encounter.

Match Odds

Bayern are as short as 1/6 to win this contest, so there isn't much value in backing them to win. A draw is on offer at 6/1, while strugglers Union Berlin are a whopping 16/1 to become the latest side in the Bundesliga to stun the defending champions.

Both teams to score is valued at EVS, while over 2.5 goals is 4/11.

Team News

Tuchel has to deal with the absences of Noussair Mazraoui and Kim Min-jae, who are on Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup duty respectively.

Serge Gnabry, Bouna Sarr, Tarek Buchmann and Daniel Peretz remain sidelined with injuries.

Union Berlin are also having to deal with an AFCON absence in Aissa Laidouni. Rani Khedira remains out injured for the visitors.

Bayern Munich 3-0 @ 13/2

Seeing as there is no value in backing Bayern to simply pick up the three points, we have had to get creative. That's why we have gone for a correct score. It is a tricky feat in this game but we can't help but like the look of backing the hosts to win 3-0 here.

Union Berlin are really struggling this year, which is a real shock considering how they were fighting at the top end of the table a year ago. They have won just four games all season and it is hard to see them getting a result on Bayern's turf.

The hosts were stunned by their home defeat to Werder Bremen last time out but they have still got a good record at the Allianz Arena. Their last two league outings there have delivered 3-0 victories for Tuchel's side. We fancy them to make it three from four on Wednesday night as they look to shake off their last result and start to make up ground in this year's title race.

Harry Kane to score first @ 15/8

Bayern striker Harry Kane will be feeling pretty annoyed at his side's current position as they are seven points behind Leverkusen. Not only did he join the German giants from Tottenham Hotspur to win titles, he has scored an incredible 22 goals in the Bundesliga this term in just 17 appearances.

He has certainly been playing his part to perfection in trying to help Die Roten defend their crown and now it is time for his team mates to start giving him a hand.

Knowing how important this game in hand is, Kane will be eager to continue his fine form in front of goal to help get a valuable three points on the board. He will look to help Bayern start building some momentum ahead of the final few months of the campaign.

We are backing him to open the scoring on Wednesday simply because he carries the biggest goal threat on the pitch across both teams. But it is also because there isn't much value in him scoring anytime.

Bayern need a convincing result here and we believe Kane can get the party started at the Allianz Arena.