Set-piece masters, goal machines and ball magnets
FC Bayern are in for a tough challenge in Mönchengladbach on Saturday (Live in English from 15.30 CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio ). The Reds took just one point from the two meetings in the previous campaign -- and overall, they have been less successful against Gladbach than any other team. However, last season's 2-0 reverse at home to Borussia is the Foals' only win in the last seven encounters. fcbayern.de has delved into the facts before the latest edition of the 1970s classic.
Strong run at Borussia Park
FCB have only lost one of their last nine Bundesliga matches in Gladbach, winning three and drawing five. Since the 3-1 reverse in the 2011/12 season the German record champions have clinched seven points in three fixtures at Borussia Park. However, Bayern have conceded more away goals against Gladbach than against any other team (76). The Reds' overall record on visits to the Lower Rhine includes a fair share of defeats -- 18 in all, just one short of the 19 defeats suffered away to Bremen.
40 from 14: Record!
FCB have set a new Bundesliga record with 40 points in 14 matches. Pep Guardiola's troops could wrap up the so-called 'autumn championship' with a win on Saturday. The men from Munich would top the table over Christmas for the fifth time in a row -- no other club has achieved that before. In total the Reds would achieve the feat for the 21st time.
Goal machines cross swords
But beware! Since André Schubert took over, only Bayern have claimed more points (25) than the Foals (23). Gladbach are unbeaten in nine Bundesliga fixtures, and again it is only the Reds who boast a longer run (15 league games). Under Schubert's auspices Gladbach have scored 26 goals - only FCB scored more in that time (27). Three of the league's four top scorers and providers face off in the classic clash: Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller were involved in 15, Raffael in 13 goals.
The key to success? Set pieces!
Set pieces might lead the Bavarians to goals on Saturday. Since Schubert took over, the Foals have conceded eight goals from set pieces, more than any other Bundesliga team in that time. They conceded seven from set pieces in the 2014/15 season and are on eleven in the current campaign, more than any other team. Meanwhile, the Reds' yield from set pieces is impressive: nine goals in the current campaign is a best mark.
Xabi v Xhaka
Two ball magnets face off at Borussia Park: Xabi Alonso and Granit Xhaka. On average, Alonso has been in possession 110 times per 90 Bundesliga minutes, Xhaka boasts 105. Against Hertha the Spaniard set a new best mark in the current campaign by playing the ball 174 times. In terms of accuracy Alonso is ahead of the Swiss star: Alonso's pass completion is 91 percent, with Xhaka behind on 86 percent.
Zwayer to referee
Felix Zwayer is the man with the whistle on Saturday. The 34-year-old estate agent from Berlin has previously taken charge of 20 fixtures involving the Reds, most recently in September when Bayern won 3-0 in Darmstadt. Zwayer's assistants are Florian Steuer and Markus Häcker, with Sören Storks as the fourth official.