FC Bayern welcome unbeaten VfL Wolfsburg to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening (kick-off 20:30 CET) in their final home match of the year. The Lower Saxony side are not the only team who are yet to lose in the Bundesliga this season, though. fcbayern.com looks at the other fixtures on Matchday 12, particularly those involving the German record champions’ rivals in the table and upcoming opponents:
1. FC Köln vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Kick-off: Wednesday 16 December, 20:30 CET
Significance: Bayer Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga for the first time since September 2014 following their 4-1 win over Hoffenheim on Sunday. The ‘Werkself’ are the only other team, as well as Wolfsburg, who are still undefeated this season. Peter Bosz’s side, who host Bayern at the BayArena in this Saturday’s headline fixture, are actually unbeaten in 12 league games going back to last season. Opponents Köln are in improving form ahead of this Rhineland derby, registering impressive wins against Borussia Dortmund and Mainz as well as a draw with Wolfsburg in their last three outings.
Key facts: Leverkusen are the team of the hour in the Bundesliga right now, having collected 22 points from the last 24 available. Overall, they’ve lost just one of their 18 matches in all competitions this term. They have a favourable record against Köln as well, with 24 wins, 24 draws and 16 defeats at an aggregate score of 98-86. The hosts, meanwhile, have gone 11 games – or 291 days – without a home victory.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs. RB Leipzig
Kick-off: Wednesday 16 December, 20:30 CET
Significance: Level on points with Bayern in second place are RB Leipzig. Their 2-0 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday was their seventh league win of the campaign, and in all competitions they’ve lost just one of the last nine (a 1-0 reverse against Paris Saint-Germain). On Wednesday, RB coach Julian Nagelsmann returns to the club where he made his name. Hoffenheim, who are currently 12th in the standings, were beaten by Leverkusen at the weekend and need a result here if they are to stay in touching distance of the upper third of the table.
Key facts: RB are unbeaten in their last five meetings with TSG, although the Red Bulls are currently winless in three away Bundesliga matches. The ‘Kraichgauer’s only two successes against Leipzig came in the 2017/18 season. In total, there have been 31 goals in the nine competitive meetings between the two club (eight in the Bundesliga plus one in the DFB Cup).
Matchday 12 at a glance
Tuesday. 15.12.2020 | 18:30
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
Wednesday. 15.12.2020 | 20:30
Hertha BSC vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05
Werder Bremen vs. Borussia Dortmund
VfB Stuttgart vs. 1. FC Union Berlin
Wednesday, 16.12.2020 | 18:30
FC Schalke 04 vs. SC Freiburg
Wednesday, 16.12.2020 | 20:30
FC Bayern München vs. VfL Wolfsburg
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs. RB Leipzig
1. FC Köln vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
DSC Arminia Bielefeld vs. FC Augsburg
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