Second against third: a look at the table confirms that the duel between Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern on Saturday evening is a true top clash. However, Gladbach are struggling with a poor run of form, having taken only one point in the last three matches, whereas Niko Kovac' men are the best team of the second half of the season so far, boasting 15 points after six matches. fcbayern.com has examined the most interesting facts in the build-up to the match.
Overall record favours FCB
Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern face off for the 102nd time in the Bundesliga. The German record champions (48) have won twice as many editions of the fixture as Gladbach (24), with 29 games ending in a draw. The men from Munich have scored a total of 190 goals and conceded 127. Bayern have conceded more goals against Gladbach than against any other side in the German top flight and vice versa.
Bayern have been warned
The men from the Rhineland have made life difficult for the Bavarians in recent years. FC Bayern lost 3-0 at the Allianz Arena in the first half of the season. It was one of six defeats in the last 15 Bundesliga encounters with Borussia. Since the beginning of the 2011/12 season Bayern have lost more often against Gladbach than against any other Bundesliga side.
Away power v poor recent form
Niko Kovac' men are a force on the road. FC Bayern have won nine out of 12 matches on foreign soil so far this campaign, which makes them the Bundesliga's best away side on 27 points. Gladbach topped the home table for a long time this term, winning all of their first nine home matches, but the Foals recently lost 3-0 against both Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg, Dortmund overtaking them in the home table.
Aerial power
Javi Martínez rose high to meet a James corner and headed home the match-winner after the hour mark in the 1-0 victory over Hertha last Saturday. It was Munich's 11th headed goal so far this campaign, which makes the Bavarians the best Bundesliga side in this respect ahead of Freiburg on eight.
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