Following the international break, the 2020/21 Bundesliga season is entering its fourth matchday. FC Bayern play Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm, but there are some other intriguing games this weekend. fcbayern.com looks at the duels between neighbours in the table and the record champions' upcoming opponents.
TSG Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund
Kick-off: Saturday, 17.10.20, 15:30
Significance: TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund lie sixth and fifth in the table, equal on points with FC Bayern (6). Hoffenheim suffered a 2-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt after their 4-1 win against the Munich side on Matchday 2. Dortmund found their way back to success with a clear 4-0 home win against Freiburg. The last meeting between the two teams was not long ago. TSG defeated BVB 4-0 on Matchday 34 last season.
Key stat: It's a duel between two top Bundesliga goalscorers. Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric has already scored six goals this season and leads the race for the top scorer's cannon. In the 4-0 win at the end of June, Kramarić scored all four for TSG. His counterpart for the opponents, Erling Haaland, has scored 17 goals in 18 Bundesliga games so far. He has found the net four times this season, but always at home.
Quote of the game: "We're competing with the best players in the Bundesliga, if not Europe, in the duels with Dortmund and FC Bayern. Dortmund have proven they can score goals. It's a very strong attack. We'll try to make life as difficult for them as possible and not let them unfold." Sebastian Hoeneß (TSG Hoffenheim)
FC Augsburg – RB Leipzig
Kick-off: Saturday, 17.10.20, 15:30
Significance: Top of the table clash in Augsburg! FCA in second welcome RB Leipzig, the leaders on goal difference. After the first three matchdays, both teams have seven points, one more than FC Bayern.
Key stat: According to the statistics, Leipzig go into the duel as favourites: RB are unbeaten in eight straight away games - a club record. In addition, last year's third-placed side have only lost one of eight Bundesliga games against Augsburg.
Quote of the game: "Augsburg have improved a lot compared to last season. They allow fewer chances to counterattack and are less risky in their own game." Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
1. FC Köln – Eintracht Frankfurt
Kick-off: Sunday, 18.10.20, 15:30
Significance: FC Bayern will host Eintracht Frankfurt for the third home game of the season on Matchday 5. Before this, the team lying third in the table (7 points) will travel to FC Köln on Sunday at 3:30 pm, where FC Bayern will visit on Matchday 6.
Key stat: Just like last season, Frankfurt are particularly dangerous in the second half. The men from Hesse have scored four of their previous six goals after the break. In 2019/20 Eintracht scored 43 of their 59 goals in the second half, the highest percentage in the league.
Quote of the game: "It's crucial to pick up where we left off before the international break. It won't be a sure-fire success. The opponents are struggling, but still dangerous. We have to be focused." Adi Hütter (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Matchday 4 at a glance
Saturday, 17.10.2020 | 15:30
FC Augsburg - RB Leipzig
FSV Mainz 05 - Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Hertha BSC - VfB Stuttgart
SC Freiburg - SV Werder Bremen
TSG Hoffenheim - Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, 03.10.2020 | 18:30
DSC Arminia Bielefeld - FC Bayern
Saturday, 03.10.2020 | 20:30
Borussia Mönchengladbach - VfL Wolfsburg
Sunday, 04.10.2020 | 15:30
1. FC Köln - Eintracht Frankfurt
Sunday, 04.10.2020 | 18:00
FC Schalke 04 - 1. FC Union Berlin
Bayern meet Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday evening - here are the facts and figures for the game:
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