Monthly Archives: November 2010

Five fantasy team selections

Posted on by
Reply

Although it is an obvious choice in-form Tottenham starlet Gareth Bale should be in everyone’s fantasy team at the moment after his two demolition jobs on Champions League holders Internazionale FC (check out Premier League 2010/11 markets and match prices).

The 21-year-old has always looked a class act but propelled himself to the forefront of world football by making a very good Inter defence look like statues over the two legs.

Bale should feature in a Spurs side looking for their first Premier League victory since beating Fulham on October 16 and, with the youngster on fire, they look a good bet to take the points from a Bolton side who have only won once at home this season (Spurs 13/10 – 90 minutes betting v Bolton).

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Nicolas Anelka is in the form of his career and who are we to argue, as the Frenchman bagged his fifth Champions League goal in four matches on Wednesday night.

Labelled ‘le sulk’ at various clubs, the former Arsenal star appears settled at Stamford Bridge and is combining well with Didier Drogba up front for the Blues.

The 31-year-old spent time on-loan at Liverpool and will be looking to add to his three Premier League goals this term when he faces his old side at Anfield.

Ancelotti says Anelka is happy at the club and that can only mean good things as he is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the top-flight when his mood is right (Anelka 25/1 – Premier League goal-scorer).

Cesc Fabregas had the night off as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday but he should be fine for the visit of Newcastle on Sunday.

The Gunners skipper has only bagged on Premier League goal this season but scored 15 last term and it is high time the talented midfielder got back on the scoresheet.

Newcastle are in the habit of winning one then losing one and so, following last weeks 5-1 hammering of Sunderland, they will need to be wary of what the Londoners are capable of at home.

Fabregas was rested for the European tie as a precaution with a sore hamstring so expect him to be raring to go at the Emirates this weekend (Arsenal 2/7 – 90 minutes betting v Newcastle).

Darren Bent has a phenomenal scoring record for Sunderland, with 33 in 51 appearances for the Black Cats in all competitions, and six from 10 Premier League outings this term.

Boss Steve Bruce will demand an immediate response from his men following the 5-1 drubbing at Newcastle and Bent will be the man they look to to score the goals against a Stoke side who have lost their last three top-flight games.

This game may not whet the appetite as much others over the weekend but Bent’s goal-scoring prowess could be the difference in a low-scoring encounter at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland Evens – 90 minutes betting v Stoke).

Finally, Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster will probably not be the busiest man on Saturday as bottom-of-the-table West Ham travel to St Andrew’s (Birmingham 10/11 – 90 minutes betting v West Ham).

With no away wins and just two goals on their travels, the Hammers appear little threat away from Upton Park and Birmingham have only conceded three Premier League goals at home this season.

Foster has kept four clean sheets in the Premier League so far this campaign and surely will never get a better chance of making it five than against a side shorn of confidence and tipped for relegation.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Potential weekend shocks

Posted on by
Reply

Tottenham caused a bit of a shock in midweek with a 3-1 win over holders Inter Milan in the Champions League, with Gareth Bale putting in another impressive display against the Italians to become the reported subject of potential bids by the so-called giants of the game.

However, Spurs could be on the end of a shock this weekend when they return to Premier League duty as they face a tricky trip north to take on party-poopers Bolton (19/10 in the match betting).

It is one thing taking on the defending champions in Europe’s elite competition in front of a packed home stadium, but now the players have to come down from that feeling of euphoria for more ‘mundane’ domestic matters.

Spurs have an awful record at Bolton, never having won at the Reebok Stadium in the top-flight while the last league away win came way back in 1996.

Bolton have made themselves hard to beat this season, with just one narrow defeat at home to Liverpool last weekend spurring them on, while they have the added incentive of joining fifth-placed Spurs on 15 points, and can continue their 11-match unbeaten run.

West Ham United may be staring up at the rest of the Premier League table but they can have cause for optimism going into Saturday’s clash at Birmingham City.

Avram Grant’s men have lost their last two top-flight matches but a good win at home against Stoke booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and the players can take heart from their performance at the Emirates, going down 1-0 to an 88th-minute winner.

The Hammers (11/4 in the match betting) seem to enjoy the trip to St Andrews, having won five and drawing one of their last seven matches there, and could upset the odds again.

Taking a bit of a chance on which side will turn up at the weekend but Wigan (10/3 to beat Rovers) could potentially cause a surprise when they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, despite having a pretty awful record at Ewood Park.

The Latics’ six-match unbeaten streak came to an end last weekend but any side which can win at White Hart Lane this season has got to have a chance of taking the three points from a club that has registered just one home win this season, and taken just one point from a possible 12.

West Bromwich Albion have surprised all on their return to the top-flight, particularly after suffering a 6-0 hammering at Chelsea on the opening day of the season, but now lie sixth in the table after an impressive run of form.

The Baggies (14/5 in the match betting) have made the Hawthorns a fortress this season, having won three and drawn two of five in the league, while they have also marched into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

An eight-match unbeaten streak, which included wins over Arsenal and City as well as a draw at Old Trafford, only came to an end on Monday because the side was reduced to nine men – and even then they only lost 2-1 to Blackpool.

City have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, the second of which was at West Brom’s Black Country rivals Wolves despite taking the lead, while there remains constant talk of a rift in the visiting camp.

And finally a big shock it would be but Wolves (16/1 to win, 5/1 the draw) may have enough to get something out of a trip to Old Trafford when they take on Manchester United.

Mick McCarthy’s men can only have taken confidence from coming from behind to beat big-spending Man City, while they gave United a real run for their money in the Carling Cup, only to lose 3-2 to a last-minute Javier Hernandez strike.

United on the face of it have turned a corner, winning their last five matches in all competitions, but have yet to really hit their straps this season and have a number of injuries to contend with, after Luis Nani and Darren Fletcher joined the casualty list in midweek.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Stubborn Reds set to march on

Posted on by
Reply

Liverpool (11/1 Europa League Outright) may have struggled domestically this season but still look as solid as ever in Europe and should prove too strong for Napoli in the Europa League this week.

The two sides do battle again on Thursday having been involved in a closely fought contest two weeks ago, with a goalless draw in Italy.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be tempted to play a stronger side for this clash, having fielded a number of youngsters for the away game in Naples.

Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing,  Martin Kelly  and David Ngog all played at the San Paolo Stadium, but the likes of Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic could come into the starting eleven.

Liverpool are dealing with a number of injuries including England winger Joe Cole, who is expected to be sidelined for two weeks, and Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who is also a doubt.

With a Premier League clash with defending champions Chelsea on Sunday and Liverpool still in the bottom half, several key players could still be rested.

The Reds have only conceded a single goal in the competition and they look a decent bet to win in front of their home fans without conceding a goal (Napoli 10/3 to score an away goal).

As for big spenders Manchester City, they travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan in what looks another tough test for Roberto Mancini’s men.

City have lost their last two league games and although they beat Lech 3-1 at home, the Polish outfit created several chances in the Eastlands clash.

The visitors will be without top goalscorer Carlos Tevez, who is not likely to return to action until his side’s derby clash with Manchester United on November 10.

Emanuel Adebayor is likely to start for City, after scoring a hat-trick in the last meeting, while Mario Balotelli is also available.

A fiery atmosphere at the Stadion Miejski will certainly aid the home side, who will feel they can cause a major upset (Poznan 9/2 to win) on Thursday.

The other stand-out fixtures this week see Italian giants Juventus taking on Salzburg at the Stadio Olimpico in City’s group. With the home side sitting fourth in the Serie A, they look too strong on paper for the Austrians.

Meanwhile, defending champions Athletico Madrid face Rosenburg and after a poor 1-1 draw with Almeria in La Liga, a difficult trip to Norway could see the Spanish side struggle (Rosenburg 13/5 to win).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

‘Amazing’ Bale vital for Spurs

Posted on by
Reply

Spurs managed to secure a famous Champions League victory over reigning champions Inter Milan at White Hart Lane last night and boss Harry Redknapp was quick to praise the performance of one of his players in particular – Gareth Bale (Spurs 5/6 to win Champions League Group A).

Two weeks ago the north London club suffered a 4-3 defeat at the San Siro, after Inter had raced into a 4-0 first-half lead.

A second-half hat-trick from Bale did nothing for Spurs other than claw back a bit of pride but the talented left-footer was crucial for Spurs on Tuesday night as they avenged their defeat in Italy (Spurs 25/1 to win the Champions League).

Bale did not find the net himself at White Hart Lane, but the youngster turned provider for both Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko, as Spurs enjoyed a European night to savour.

Redknapp hailed Bale as “amazing” and claimed the 21-year-old has “everything”.

“Maicon is rated as the best right-back in the world and what he’s done to him in the two games is amazing,” explained the Spurs boss.

“He can cross, his left foot is great on the run, he can shoot, dribble, head it, he’s got everything.”

Spurs may be enjoying life in Europe’s top competition, but if the north London side want to compete in the Champions League next season they will need to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

Spurs are currently fifth in the league, two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, and remain in contention to finish in the top four for a second successive season.

Chelsea are currently 1/200 with totesport.com to finish in the top four and after the reigning champions’ fine start to the season  – they’re already 10 points clear of Spurs – few would suggest the Stamford Bridge side could fail to land a Champions League spot.

The form of Manchester United has been questioned by many but Sir Alex Ferguson’s men remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League.

United’s star man Wayne Rooney has failed to hit the heights he achieved last season and is currently injured, but the Old Trafford side have still managed to grind out results and you get the feeling that when they do find top form, and when Rooney is firing on all cylinders, they will mount a serious title threat.

United are 1/14 to finish in the top four and, although not completely out of the question, it seems safe to suggest Old Trafford will be hosting Champions League football next season.

Arsenal and Manchester City complete the top four at present (Arsenal 1/7, City 2/5 to secure a top-four finish) and given the Gunners’ Champions League pedigree and current form, a top-four finish appears to be on the cards for the Emirates side.

The most likely scenario is that Spurs will again battle with City for the right to appear in Europe’s premier tournament next season.

The London club won the battle last time out but City, once again, spent some serious money in the summer transfer window.

Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini is under pressure to deliver a top-four finish, at the very least, and Spurs will face a serious battle to secure the final Champions League spot.

However, with the talented midfield Redknapp has at his disposal, at 5/2 Spurs appear good value to land a Premier League top-four finish.

Rafael van der Vaart arrived in a last-minute deal from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day and the Dutchman has managed to adapt quickly to life in England.

Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon have also produced impressive displays but it could well b Bale who provides the ingenuity and guile to secure a second successive season in the Champions League for Spurs.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Shakhtar can halt Gunners’ charge

Posted on by
Reply

Arsenal have been at their scintillating best so far in the Champions League but expect them to come unstuck when they travel to Ukraine to take on in-form Shakhtar Donetsk (19/10 match betting) on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ perfect record of three victories out of three in Group H means a win is not a must this week and, with talisman Cesc Fabregas not playing due to a minor hamstring problem, the game will present Shakhtar with a great chance of causing an upset (Shakhtar to win 2-1 – 9/1).

They too are well placed to qualify from the group along with Arsene Wenger’s men, having won two out of three games to date, and will be eager to make up for the 5-1 thumping dished out by Arsenal at the Emirates a couple of weeks ago – that loss being just their second in 30 games in all competitions.

Mircea Lucescu’s side are top of the table in Ukraine once again – five points clear of Dynamo Kiev – and look red-hot favourites to win back-to-back titles, especially if they maintain their superb early-season form.

Shakhtar have kept clean sheets in nine of their ten home games this season and Arsenal, who were soundly beaten 3-0 on their only previous trip to Donetsk in the competition back in 2000, will not have it anywhere near as easy as they did in the first game between the two sides.

Chelsea’s European campaign has been equally as smooth as Arsenal’s thus far and another win, that would secure their qualification out of Group F, is expected when Spartak Moscow visit Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are once again proving the team to match in the Premier League, having slipped up only at Manchester City so far, and it has been a similar story in Europe.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side (2/9 match betting) are again set to progress through their group with the minimum of fuss and another win against the Russian side (14/1) seems very much on the cards on Wednesday.

The three points will mean qualification is in the bag and then everyone at the club can concentrate on the tough league trip to an improving Liverpool on Sunday.

Probably the game of the night on Wednesday comes at the San Siro when Real Madrid (4/1 – Champions League outright) take on AC Milan (28/1 – outright) with the Italians out to make amends following the 2-0 reverse at the Bernabeu earlier in Group G.

Jose Mourinho took a while to win over some of the more stubborn Real fans with his brand of effective, but often negative, football, but recent high-scoring wins over Racing and Malaga prove he can win in style as well.

And Another victory this week, as he chases his third Champions League triumph, would further underline the fact that he is the best club coach on the planet.

Matchday four also sees crucial games for Auxerre and Partizan, who must win against Ajax and Zilina respectively to stand any chance of making it through, while Bayern Munich (1/10 Group E winner), who have a perfect record so far, should also book their place in the next stage with a win over Romanian outfit CFR Cluj.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Mancini ‘facing City rebellion’

Posted on by
Reply

Premier League results at the weekend have dictated that Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is off the hook – and replaced by his counterpart at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini (City now 10/1 – Premier League Outright).

The Magpies’ 5-1 mauling of fierce rivals Sunderland at St James’ Park on Sunday ended a week which had seen Newcastle hand former Republic of Ireland defender Hughton the dreaded vote of confidence.

Had his side decided his time was up and capitulated against Steve Bruce’s Black Cats then he may well have quickly discovered that the club statement was worth far less than the paper it was scribbled on.

No, Hughton gets a reprieve, at least until Sunday when he takes Newcastle to Arsenal.

Which gets us to Mancini who is, according to a tabloid report, on thin ice following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at lowly Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

Player power, apparently, has reared its head at Eastlands and the 45-year-old is now facing the prospect of Christman on the dole – or il sussidio di disoccupazione as they might say in Milan.

At least he’ll probably get to keep his blue and white scarf to keep warm.

‘Complete mess’, ‘no one takes any notice’ and ‘team spirit is falling apart’ scream quotes from ’sources’ in The Sun on Monday morning, however Kolo Toure has now reassured long-suffering Blues fans that everything in the garden is smelling of roses and that problems will be resolved “in the dressing room and the training camp”.

So that’s ok then.

But what is certainly not ok is the fact City, for all their millions, went to Molineux at the weekend, took the lead, but then let Mick McCarthy’s men back into the game before slipping to their second Premier League defeat on the bounce.

City are now fourth after starting the weekend in second spot although their early-season performances had hardly inspired talk of global dominance, and they clearly missed the absent Carlos Tevez at Wolves.

Hardly one to keep out of an argument, Yaya Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, has revealed the former Barcelona midfielder’s thinking does not coincide with that of his older brother.

Seluk is quoted: “Yaya thinks there are some players, perhaps mostly those who have been there for a long time, who think that fourth place is already a big position that it is good enough to ‘not lose’ rather than to always win.”

City have now lost three games already this season and are eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Former boss Mark Hughes was dispensed with last term in similar circumstances and it would come as no surprise if player power does win out at City.

However, the fact remains that since Sir Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United in 1986, City have got through an unlucky 13 permanent bosses and while the game has moved on, clubs seldom prosper by chopping and changing.

Whatever happens, Mancini, whose training methods were criticised last season, says he wants to get to the root of Saturday’s no-show.

“We must know where that performance came from and we must start again because the season is very long,” he admitted.

“Maybe because we played well for the first 15 minutes, we thought it was an easy game.

“Such a thing doesn’t exist in football.”

Easy games, no, the sack, yes.

City are next in action in the Europa League on Thursday night when they make the trip to Lech Poznan looking to seal a place in the knockout stage (Lech 9/2, draw 14/5, City 8/13 – 90 minutes betting).

Newcastle are now 1/9 to stay up this season.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

United labouring without Rooney

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester United (9/2 to win 2010-11 Premier League) need Wayne Rooney more than Wayne Rooney needs Manchester United -  that is providing of course that he returns to the sort of form he showed last year.

Yes, they won. Yes, they remain unbeaten but they are not exactly pulling up trees at the moment and looking like they are going all the way – in any competition.

Rooney seemingly has not been back to his best, having endured a torrid World Cup campaign and mustering only one goal in five appearances this season for United, with the England man now facing another spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov’s extra fitness work over the summer appeared to work dividends, as he started the season on fire and looked set to justify the hype over his big-money move in 2008.

The Bulgarian bagged seven goals in his first six games, culminating in his hat-trick which secured the 3-2 win over Liverpool. However, he has not scored in the six games since and certainly does not provide the work-rate that Rooney also offers – normal service has resumed and Fergie needs to get him on the treadmill again.

There is a school of thought that says foreign players need time to adjust to the Premier League, so what can be expected of Javier Hernandez. Although the “Little Pea” has scored five goals in his last eight games, he gives the impression of being the “new” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – ie: an impact substitute from the bench.

Luis Nani is trying to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and has contributed a lot this season already, but he is far too inconsistent for United to be able to depend on him in the same way – despite his own belief that he is now “one of the top players in the world” – where did that come from.

Although unbeaten, United have slipped five points behind Chelsea already in the table and need a fully fit and firing Rooney (16/1 Premier League Top Goalscorer) if they are to have any realistic chance of regaining the title.

Speaking of strikers, Liverpool (6/4 for a Top Six Finish), who have now won two on the bounce, need one! Fernando Torres has not quite recovered from injury and looks a shadow of the player that has tormented the Premier League in the past. A guaranteed starter for the club, injury-permitting, but if he is not doing it, who else can Roy Hodgson call upon?

David Ngog, Ryan Babel or Milan Jovanovic? Bring back Robbie Keane! I am expecting Hodgson to make some moves in the January transfer window – if he is still there!

Refereeing decisions are coming increasingly under the spotlight but let’s make one thing clear, referees, at one point or another, are always going to make a strange/wrong/downright stupid decisions – generally in favour of the “big teams”.

How Bolton did not get one of two penalty decisions on Sunday is anyone’s guess, but the answer is they were playing Liverpool.

Mark Clattenburg realised the error of his ways on Saturday after not giving Nani a penalty against Spurs, by allowing him to stroke home unimpeded immediately afterwards as Heurelho Gomes foolishly thought a free-kick had been given in his favour. It was at Old Trafford, Heurelho.

Tuncay’s ‘goal’ against Everton was ruled out at Goodison Park, presumably because Leighton Baines was put off by the breathing on his neck, although Andrei Arshavin must realise only Maraoune Chamakh at Arsenal is going to get penalties when there is no/little contact.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Spurs go for Euro goals

Posted on by
Reply

Tottenham take on Inter Milan at White Hart Lane in a match which should see plenty of goals (2-2 12/1 – Correct Score) if their previous encounter was anything to go by.

Boss Harry Redknapp will be hoping for big things from San Siro hat-trick scorer Gareth Bale, and there will surely be a hat-full of goals with the attacking flair on show.

Inter do not possess the best record against English sides on their travels – winning four, losing seven and drawing one match over the years and a 2-2 draw looks a good bet for the Group A clash (Spurs 13/8, Draw 12/5, Inter 8/5 – Match Betting).

Werder Bremen and FC Twente shared a 1-1 draw last time out with both sides desperate for three points. With so much at stake and goals at a premium for both sides, the Germans are fancied to claim their first win of this year’s competition by a solitary goal.

In Group B, high-flying Lyon travel to Benfica but history is not in their favour as no French side have ever beaten the Portuguese giants on their own patch – infact Lyon have only won once in European competitions in Portugal.

Records are there to be broken but Benfica have not leaked many goals and this one could be Lyon’s trickiest test so far, with a low-scoring draw looking good value.

Hapoel Tel Aviv have yet to break their duck in this season’s Champions League but they will have their work cut out against Schalke 04, who beat them 3-1 in their previous meeting.

Spanish legend Raul netted twice and is 5/1 to score the first goal in a match which will surely see defeat for an Israeli side that have scored just two goals but conceded eight in their first three matches, with Schalke, at 21/20, tipped to take the points.

Group C sees Manchester United face Bursaspor (Bursaspor 19/5, Draw 13/5, Utd 8/11 – Match Betting) and the Red Devils can concentrate on matters on the pitch with the resolution of the Wayne Rooney saga.

The England international will be absent through injury but, despite being away from home, United will not be fazed by a side who have yet to score a goal in the competition.

The Turkish outfit have offered little going forward in the group and will struggle to get past a United defence (6/5 to keep a clean sheet) that has yet to concede a European goal this term.

Rangers are the surprise team in the group and have yet to taste defeat, but Valencia will be a lot tougher at home and a Spanish win by two goals to nil looks decent value (5/1).

Walter Smith’s men have looked solid but it will be another backs-to-the wall effort for the Gers to try and get anything from this fixture and it surely only a matter of time before they finally slip up in Europe this season.

Group D looks a two-horse race and the top two meet on Tuesday in Copenhagen, with Barcelona looking to keep up their excellent record in Denmark. The Spanish giants have won all their previous matches in the country and will look to add another success against aside just one point behind them in the standings.

But the Danes are no mugs and will draw confidence from Rubin Kazan’s 1-1 result with the Catalans earlier in the campaign.

Finally, Panathinaikos travel to face Rubin Kazan with both sides in need of three points. They played out a goalless draw last time but the Russians, very strong on home soil, are favourites (8/13) and are tipped to win this one.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

10 things we’ve learned from the Premier League this weekend

Posted on by
Reply

1)      Sunderland (8/1 Top Six Finish) need to improve defensively and Steve Bruce is this week’s most unpopular person on Wearside.

2)      Feuding Manchester City are far from the finished article and don’t look title contenders (City 2/5 Top Four Finish).

3)      Manchester United are not the same team without Wayne Rooney (Rooney 16/1 Premier League Top Scorer), but is Nani the new Ronaldo?

4)      Liverpool need Fernando Torres fit and on form to qualify for Europe….as there’s nobody else!

5)      Tottenham are not good enough to mount a title challenge and will never get a refereeing decision at Old Trafford!

6)      Aston Villa are going to take a while to get to grips with what Monsieur Houllier requires!  Not sure the fans will remain patient though (Villa 14/1 Top Four Finish).

7)      Start counting your money if you’ve backed West Ham to be relegated – not even Scott Parker or Rob Green can save the Hammers from the drop (Hammers 10/11 to be relegated).

8)      Blackburn can actually play some football and Benjani could keep them in the top flight this season.

9)      Fabio Capello hopefully has a short memory, as Joey Barton looks good enough for a call-up to the England squad (1/6 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G).

10)   Everton are the in-form team in the league but don’t count your chickens on a European place – a lack of goals could cost them.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Louis looks to plug Bayern leaks

Posted on by
Reply

Louis van Gaal intimated Bayern Munich would have to learn to keep clean sheets to have any hope of retaining their Bundesliga title in response to his side’s 4-2 win over Freiburg on Friday (check out Bundesliga match coupon).

The injury-hit Bavarians looked to be on their way to a one-sided win once Martin Demichelis and Mario Gomez had given them a comfortable two-goal cushion either side of the interval.

However, the defensive frailties that have cost Bayern in a sluggish start to the domestic season resurfaced when Robin Dutt’s troops threatened to silence the 69,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena.

Stefan Reisinger halved the deficit on 64 minutes – just 60 seconds after he was introduced as a substitute – but Bayern restored their lead when Anatoliy Tymoschuk rounded off a sweeping counter-attacking move.

The match appeared over as a contest when Toni Kroos put the German giants further ahead only for Edson Braafheid to put through his own net.

Coach van Gaal admitted Bayern, still missing the likes of flying wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, had not been at their best in an uneventful first half and hailed Germany schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger as the game-breaker.

The Dutchman said: “I’m happy with the result. We didn’t play well in the first half. We were far better after half-time, but we’ve conceded goals again. This group of players has played football the way Bayern Munich can – and that’s what really matters.”

He added: “Schweinsteiger made the difference in the second half: he took over the playmaking duties, he held up the play and distributed possession. He was terrific.”

Bayern are next in action on Wednesday when they travel to Romania looking to maingtain their 100 per cent start to Uefa Champions League Group E qualification against CFR 1907 Cluj (5/1 Cluj – Uefa Champions League Group E – To Qualify).

France winger Ribery is again expected to miss out as he continues his recovery from a long-standing anle injury.

He has not given up hope of a place in the matchday squad for Bayern’s Bundesliga  trip to Monchengladbach on November 6.

“I think there’s a good chance I’ll be involved against Gladbach,” he was quoted as saying by the Munich-based tz.

“But I’m determined to play again against Nürnberg [on 14 November]. That’s my target, and I’m certain I’ll make it.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.