The big news from a Bayern Munich perspective is that Mario Gomez is line to start his first match for the club since the Champions League final penalty shoot-out loss to Chelsea in May, having made his comeback from ankle surgery in the midweek draw with Valencia.
Elsewhere, Javi Martinez should keep his place in midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, thanks in part to an assured performance at Mestalla, but also due to Luiz Gustavo’s groin injury.
Meanwhile, Franck Ribery complained of playing through the pain against los Che, and could join Arjen Robben on the sidelines, leaving Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Xherdan Shaqiri to line up behind Gomez for the visit of Mirko Slomka’s side. Emre Can remains a long-term absentee with a ligament problem.
On the other side of the park, Hannover can welcome back club captain Steve Cherundolo at the back in the place of Hiroki Sakai, who was poor during last week’s 2-1 home loss to Freiburg.
However, Leon Andreasen is a long-term absentee with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, while Felipe is still missing with a hip injury.
- Jupp Heynckes’ side have won three of the four games they have played immediately following Champions League exertions, but lost to Leverkusen after a 1-0 win over Lille in France.
- Mario Gomez has a fairly productive record against Hannover, having netted seven career goals against Saturday’s opponents.
- Hannover ended Bayern’s eight-match streak without conceding a goal last season by recording a 2-1 with over the Bavarians at the AWD Arena.
- Szabolcs Huszti (pictured, right) has registered a total of seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, one more than Franck Ribery.
- Jan Schlaudraff will be returning to his former home on Saturday, having endured a disappointing season at the Allianz Arena in 2007-08.