Bayern Munich will try defend their Bundesliga title as the league returns on Friday when they host Hertha Berlin.
The Bavarians are coming off a nervy season after winning the league by two points over rivals Borussia Dortmund.
They have two losses in eight games and are coming off a 3-1 win over Energie Cottbus in the DFB Pokal with goals coming from Robert Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka.
Niko Kovac’s side did face a defeat in the German Super Cup with a 2-0 loss against Dortmund two weeks ago.
Hertha Berlin have won two in a row and are coming off a convincing 5-1 road win in the German Cup against VfB Eichstatt; Salomon Kalou, Alexander Esswein and Palko Dardai got a goal each while Vedad Ibisevic got a brace.
Bayern have 11 wins against Hertha who have just one win in the last 14 meetings against Friday’s opposition. They are winless at the Allianz Arena in 24 games with 19 losses and five draws and last time they met it was Javi Martinez who got the lone goal in a 1-0 win.
Martinez is the lone injury for Kovac’s side coming into the game with a knee injury, while new signing Ivan Perisic is suspended.
Julian Albrecht and Marvin Plattenhardt are missing with injuries, Arne Maier, Javairo Dilrosun and Peter Pekarik are doubtful.
Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. ET. on Friday afternoon at the Allianz Arena. The game will be shown in Canada on Sportsnet World.
Pierre's Footy Talk 