Hosts Bayern Munich could confirm their status as Bundesliga champions if they beat Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on Saturday and if Bayer Leverkusen drop points on the weekend.
The first-placed Bavarians' points tally of 72 is eight more than second-placed Leverkusen, though they may struggle against European hopefuls Mainz, who are in sixth place with 47 points following their 2-2 stalemate with Wolfsburg last Saturday.
Match preview
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Bayern trounced relegation-threatened Heidenheim 4-0 on April 19, taking a 3-0 lead into the half-time interval and creating six big chances over the course of the game.
Vincent Kompany's side have scored 15 goals in their six most recent matches, though they have conceded on nine occasions, and their clean sheet against Heidenheim was their first in seven games.
Given there are just four matchweeks remaining in the top flight, the hosts will be crowned champions if they win and Leverkusen fail to beat Augsburg on Saturday.
However, Kompany will be wary of the threat posed by Mainz considering his side were beaten 2-1 by the visitors in the league on December 14, but the league leaders did win their prior three encounters 4-0, 8-1 and 3-1.
Bayern's form has been mixed, with the hosts winning one, drawing two and losing one of their past four in all competitions.
The Bavarians had achieved victory in 16 of their first 19 outings at Allianz Arena, but they have only won one of their last four at home, suffering two defeats.
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Mainz created numerous chances against 12th-placed Wolfsburg that totalled nearly three xG, but boss Bo Henriksen will be bitterly disappointed that his team conceded after just three minutes before also conceding one minute from time.
The visitors have not kept a clean sheet for seven games and conceded 10 goals in their past five matches, a period in which they also conceded twice against 15th-placed Hoffenheim.
Karnevalsverein occupy the Bundesliga's Conference League qualification spot and are only two points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who hold the final Champions League qualification spot, but they are just two points in front of seventh-placed Borussia Dortmund and eighth-placed Werder Bremen.
Mainz are winless in five games – succumbing to two losses – and only scored six goals in that period.
Henriksen's team have suffered two defeats in their two most recent fixtures on the road, though they did win each of their previous three away from home.
Team News
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The Bavarians are dealing with a number of injuries to key players, including to defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is a doubt.
Assuming Kompany does not take risks with Neuer's fitness, Jonas Urbig will retain his place in the team behind a back four of Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic and Raphael Guerreiro.
Attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala may not play again this term, so expect veteran Thomas Muller to be part of a forward unit also consisting of Michael Olise, Leroy Sane and Harry Kane.
As for Mainz, their squad has considerably fewer casualties, with centre-backs Maxim Leitsch and Moritz Jenz the club's only two absentees.
Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell and Dominik Kohr may be chosen to play together in central defence, while Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri could start in a double pivot.
In the forward line, centre-forward Jonathan Burkardt is likely to be supported by Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Da Costa, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt
We say: Bayern Munich 3-2 Mainz 05
Bayern Munich could prove to be defensively frail on Saturday considering their backline is depleted.
While other opponents would likely be able to take advantage of the Bavarians' weaknesses, Mainz's form coming into the clash is poor, and the hosts may therefore move one step closer to securing the title.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
