Focus on Augsburg as Bayern begin intensive period

The weather is getting colder but things are hotting up for Bayern. The German record champions entertain FC Augsburg at the Allianz Arena on Friday evening (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 20:30 CET on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app), in the first of eight matches within 29 days until the winter break. Our preview has everything you need to know on the Bavarian derby.

The photos from the final training session on Thursday:

The state of play for Bayern

Bayern go into Friday's clash with Augsburg in confident mood. The German record champions are five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with eight wins from 10 matches and are yet to lose domestically this season. Vincent Kompany's men have also been impressively solid at the back recently, keeping five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions since the 4-1 defeat in Barcelona on 23 October. Perhaps the only question mark remains over the freshness following the UEFA Nations League matchdays. "I obviously would've liked to give every player a break," said head coach Kompany in Thursday's pre-match press conference. "But a lot of the internationals have come back with confidence. We also have to think ahead. We have the Club World Cup after the end of the season. We've trained hard this week, we're feeling good."

When looking at the head-to-head, there's not much to suggest that 13th-placed Augsburg can cause an upset. Of their 31 competitive meetings to date, Bayern have won 25. However, that's no reason for Kompany to underestimate the opponents. "Augsburg has always been a tough game for Bayern in recent years," said the Belgian. "It's a derby. Last season they were challenging for Europe. They've undergone a very good development. I know Augsburg coach Jess Thorup from Belgium. Our focus has been fully on Augsburg since Monday, we won't underestimate them."

Catch up on the main statements from Vincent Kompanyand Max Eberl here:

The opponents: Augsburg

The visitors have not had much joy on their travels so far this season. Augsburg have collected a solitary point from the first four away outings of the campaign, putting them second from bottom in the away table. The Fuggerstädter also have the weakest attack on the road with just two goals scored. Could it suit them that the away match at the Allianz Arena is virtually down the road? In any case, FCA are not just going to try to grind out a point at Bayern, stated coach Jess Thorup.

And he has reason to be confident. The Dane picked up five points with his team in the three Bundesliga matches before the international break, while they also progressed to the last 16 of the DFB Cup with a 3-0 win against second-tier side FC Schalke 04 at the end of October. "We're unbeaten in four games and even kept a clean sheet last time out," said Thorup. "I have a good feeling about the team. We're travelling to Munich with confidence and belief in ourselves."

The facts on the match against Augsburg:

The team news for Bayern vs. Augsburg

As well as the injured João Palhinha (adductor muscle strain), Mathys Tel has also returned from international duty with a knock, revealed Kompany. Manuel Neuer (pain in the rib area) is a doubt, with Daniel Peretz in line to deputise between the posts as Sven Ulreich is currently unavailable for "personal reasons", as Kompany confirmed. Long-term absentees Hiroki Ito (metatarsal), Josip Stanisic (knee) and Aleksandar Pavlović (collarbone) remain sidelined.

For Augsburg, midfielders Fredrik Jensen (groin surgery) and Tim Breithaupt (ankle) are absent. "Everyone else is available," confirmed Thorup.

What the coaches say