Bayern Munich - Hannover 96 Preview: Top takes on bottom in the final game of the season

Preview ahead of the final Bundesliga game between top and bottom of the league table; FC Bayern Munich and Hannover 96.

Bayern Munich - Hannover 96 Preview: Top takes on bottom in the final game of the season
Image credit: VAVEL
rosie-tudball
By Rosie Tudball

It's contrasting league positions going head to head on the final game of this season's Bundesliga. Champions, Bayern Munich host bottom of the table, and relegated side, Hannover 96. It will be Pep Guardiola's final game in charge of Munich, it will also be a farewell for Ron-Robert Zieler in goal for Hannover as he announced his departure from the club back in April. Can he keep the Bavarians out of his net this afternoon? 

Form

After being ejected from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, it was vital that Bayern Munich clenched the title, as they did last week. A 2-1 away win over Ingolstadt confirmed that Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich were Bundesliga champions for the fourth consecutive season.

The German league winners have already looked towards next season as they prepare for life with Carlo Ancelotti; confirming the signings of Renato Sanches from Benfica and Mats Hummels from their Bundesliga rivals, Borussia Dortmund. Bayern are undefeated in the league since their 2-1 loss to Mainz back in March. The Bavarians will be eager to seal Guardiola's final Bundesliga game with a win. 

Having confirmed their relegation from the Bundesliga, Hannover 96 will prepare for life in 2. Bundesliga as they bid their failed top tier campaign farewell. Hannover will enter the game with the champions with some confidence, having won their previous game at home to Hoffenheim and with only one loss in their previous four matches.

Hiroshi Kiyotake's early strike against Hoffenheim last week sealed a rare three points for Daniel Stendel's side, who have just won seven games this season. No matter the result, Bayern are champions and Hannover are relegated. However, this final weekend will determine who goes down with Die Roten.

Will Robert Lewandowski claim the Torjägerkanone for the second time in three years? | Image source: Sky Sports
Will Robert Lewandowski claim the Torjägerkanone for the second time in three years? | Image source: Sky Sports

Team news

Guardiola has confirmed that Xabi Alonso and Arjen Robben will miss the final game due to injury.

Hannover's injury woes continue as Felipe, Hiroki Sakai, Leon Andreasen, Charilston Benschop, Marius Wolf, Yamaguchi, Uffe Bech and Alexander Milosevic will all miss out on the action at the Allianz.

Predicted lineups

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Kimmich, Alaba; Alonso, Thiago; Costa, Müller, Ribery; Lewandowski.

Hannover 96: Zieler; Arkenberg, Anton, Sane, Albornoz; Fossum, Schmiedebach; Klaus, Kiyotake, Sarenren-Bazee; Sobiech

Pep Guardiola and Hannover 96 will bid farewell to the Bundesliga after the final whistle this afternoon, both will be wanting to leave on a good note.