FCB's excellent end-of-year record

FC Bayern travel to face Hannover in the last match of 2015 buoyed by a strong record in end-of-year fixtures: the German record champions are unbeaten for 30 years in the last match of the year. The last defeat dates back to 11 December 1984, a 3-2 reverse away to Mönchengladbach. Bayern have won 16 and drawn 14 matches since then. Quite the opposite is true of Hannover: since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2002 they have never won the last league match of the year, losing seven and drawing six fixtures.

Eight wins in last eight editions

On Saturday Bayern encounter Hannover for the 53rd time in the Bundesliga. The Munich men have won 35 meetings and lost nine, with eight matches ending in a draw. Hannover have not lost as often against any other club – and FCB have won all of their last eight fixtures against Hannover, the accumulated goal difference being 30-4.

Gräfe to referee

Manuel Gräfe from Berlin has been appointed as referee for the match against Hannover. The 42-year-old sports scientist takes charge of a Bayern league fixture for the 32nd time. He oversaw two FCB matches in Hannover, of which the Reds won one and lost one, both ending in a 2-1 scoreline. His assistants are Markus Sinn and Christian Fischer, with Guido Winkmann as the fourth official.