TSG Hoffenheim and FC Bayern cross swords in the Bundesliga reopener on Friday at 20.30 CET. The German record champions aim to pick up where they left off in 2018. Niko Kovac' team were the only Bundesliga side to take maximum points in the last five league matches of the first half of the season, keeping a clean sheet in the last four matches. But their opponents boast an impressive streak too. fcbayern.com has delved into the facts and stats prior to the clash.
Longest run without defeat for Hoffenheim
TSG have gone unbeaten in the last ten Bundesliga matches, more than any other team. However, there is a hitch from a Hoffenheim point of view. After a run of four victories they drew six consecutive matches for the first time in the club's history. The men from the Kraichgau region have not won any of their last eight competitive matches, their longest drought since Julian Nagelsmann took over as head coach.
Bayern strong in recent reopening fixtures
FC Bayern usually got off to good starts after the winter break in recent years. The Bavarians have won five of their last six Bundesliga reopeners, the only setback being a 4-1 reverse away to VfL Wolfsburg in January 2015. Friday's game will be the second time FCB and TSG face off on Matchday 18. The first one was in the 2009/10 season, when Martín Demichelis and Miroslav Klose scored in a 2-0 victory for Bayern in Sinsheim on a Friday evening.
Overall record in favour of FCB
Bayern have won 14 out of 21 Bundesliga duels with Hoffenheim. TSG have only taken 0.52 points per match against the German record champions, a lower average than against any other side in the German top flight. Besides five draws, Hoffenheim have only won two matches against Bayern – albeit the two most recent matches in Sinsheim. However, FC Bayern are the Bundesliga's best team on foreign soil, boasting 21 points, so Niko Kovac' men stand a good chance of putting an end to Hoffenheim's streak.
Lewandowski prolific against Baumann
14 goals in 15 matches: goals are to be exepcted when TSG keeper Oliver Baumann faces Robert Lewandowski in the Bundesliga. No other current Bundesliga pro has netted so often against one shot-stopper.
Topics of this article