The last Bundesliga matchday before Christmas is just around the corner – but there is still no sign of complacence. It's tight at the top of the table and three teams are aiming to go into the winter break in first place. While Bayern are taking on league leaders Bayer Leverkusen in a top-of-the-table clash, the pursuers will look to make up ground. fcbayern.com takes a look at the other games of Matchday 13, especially those involving the record champions' neighbours in the table and upcoming opponents.
1. FC Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund
Kick-off: Friday, 18 December 2020, 20:30
Significance: After three games without a win and the dismissal of coach Lucien Favre, Borussia Dortmund managed to turn things around in new coach Edin Terzić's debut with a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen. Now, however, the Black and Yellows have to see off surprise package Union Berlin to keep in touch with the top. The sixth-placed Berliners are aiming to enter the new year in a European position.
Key fact: BVB lost their first away game this season in Augsburg 2-0, but have since been unbeaten on the road (four wins, one draw).
Stoppage-time victory. Marco Reus scored the 2-1 winner for Dortmund in Bremen with a penalty on Tuesday.
RB Leipzig vs. 1. FC Köln
Kick-off: Saturday, 19 December 2020, 15:30
Significance: Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann and Köln coach Markus Gisdol know each other very well, as the 33-year-old was once an assistant to Gisdol in Hoffenheim. The roles have changed now. While the Saxony side could jump to first place with a win, the Rhinelanders have to change the record as soon as possible after the defeat against Leverkusen (4-0) to avoid sliding further into the relegation zone.
Key fact: Leipzig have won all six home games this Bundesliga season and only conceded three goals. RB would set their Bundesliga record with a seventh straight home win.
1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. SV Werder Bremen
Kick-off: Saturday, 19 December 2020, 15:30
Significance: Bayern's first opponents after the short winter break, FSV Mainz (3 January, 18:00 CET), are deep in the relegation battle in second-from-bottom position, but with a recent upward trend. After losing the first six games of the season, they've managed six points in their last six games. With a win against Bremen (14th place), the 05ers could move to within two points of Werder.
Key fact: For the first time in their history, Mainz won none of their first six Bundesliga home games (two draws, four defeats). Their last home win was celebrated on 20 June in a 3-1 success against current opponents Werder Bremen!
Mainz kept their first clean sheet of the season in the 0-0 draw at Hertha BSC on Matchday 12.
Matchday 13 at a glance
Friday, 18.12.2020 | 20:30
1. FC Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, 19.12.2020 |15:30
RB Leipzig vs. 1. FC Köln
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
FC Schalke 04 vs. DSC Arminia Bielefeld
1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. SV Werder Bremen
FC Augsburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday, 19.12.2020 | 18:30
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. FC Bayern München
Sunday, 20.12.2020 | 15:30
Sport-Club Freiburg vs. Hertha BSC
Sunday, 20.12.2020 | 18:00
VfL Wolfsburg vs. VfB Stuttgart
On Thursday, the DFL announced the timings for Matchdays 16 to 18:
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