Hertha, FCB’s good omen
Encounters with Hertha Berlin have been a good omen for FC Bayern in the race for the championship title in the last few years. In 2014 FCB wrapped up the earliest title in Bundesliga history with a 3-1 victory over Hertha on Matchday 27. Munich won the Bundesliga in the capital in 2010 after a 3-1 victory on the last matchday. And last season Bayern sealed the championship title without kicking a ball: they could no longer be toppled from top spot after chief competitors Wolfsburg lost -- one day after Bayern's 1-0 victory over Berlin. fcbayern.de has collected the most interesting facts and figures prior to Saturday's meeting.
Streak
The German record champions travel to face Hertha buoyed by a strong record of only one defeat in the last 24 Bundesliga encounters against the men from the capital. FCB have won 18 and drawn five fixtures, the only defeat dating back to February 2009, a 2-1 reverse. The Reds have won all of the previous nine meetings and kept a clean sheet in the last three, not conceding a goal to Hertha in 336 minutes.
Record
FCB and Hertha have crossed swords in 61 Bundesliga fixtures, and the record is stacked in favour of the Bavarians: 36 victories, nine defeats and 16 draws from a Bayern point of view, with 144 goals scored and 68 conceded. Even the record on away turf is positive: 11 victories, seven defeats and 12 draws, with a goal difference of 57 for and 40 against.
Hertha strong at home
The hosts can count on their home strength this term. Hertha have not lost in ten matches on their home field, winning six and drawing four. The last defeat dates back to October 2015, a 4-1 reverse against Gladbach. Pal Dardai's troops are the fourth-best home team this term, taking 32 of a possible 45 points.
Referee
Marco Fritz will be the man with the whistle for the match between Hertha and FCB. The 39-year-old banker from Korb takes charge of a match involving the Reds for the second time this season: he previously oversaw the 5-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. His assistants will be Dominik Schaal and Marcel Pilgrim, with Patrick Ittrich acting as fourth official.