Bayern can gain a head start as they open Matchday 15 with a difficult assignment away to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening (20:30 CET). The other big game in this weekend’s round sees pursuers RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund do battle. fcbayern.com again looks at the most important fixtures happening this weekend, focussing on the German record champions’ nearest rivals and upcoming opponents:
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. SV Werder Bremen
Kick-off: Saturday 9 January 2021, 15:30 CET
Significance: Having been the only team in the Bundesliga still unbeaten after 12 matchdays, Leverkusen have now lost their last two, going down 2-1 at home to Bayern and away to Eintracht Frankfurt. That’s seen the Werkself slip from first to third in the table, and they’ll be looking to get back on the attack against Werder Bremen, the only side who have lost five of their last six games in the league.
Key fact: Werder are not necessarily welcome visitors in Leverkusen. Not only have Bremen picked up nine of their 14 points so far this season on the road, but they have also only lost on one of their last six Bundesliga visits to the BayArena (W2 D3).
Leverkusen suffered their second successive Bundesliga defeat in their opening match of the year at Frankfurt.
SC Freiburg vs. 1. FC Köln
Kick-off: Saturday 9 January 2021, 15:30 CET
Significance: Freiburg, Bayern’s next opponents at home (Sunday 17 January, 15:30 CET), could be described as the team of the hour in the German top flight right now. The Black Forest side are top of the form table from the last six matchdays with 14 points. “I think we’re a nasty group,” described captain Christian Günter, after they recorded four straight wins for the first time under coach Christian Streich with a 3-1 success at Hoffenheim. If they manage another win against 15th-placed Köln, Freiburg will set a new club record.
Key fact: SCF have scored at least two goals in each of their last five Bundesliga matches. It’s nearly nine years since they last managed a run like that.
RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Dortmund
Kick-off: Saturday 9 January 2021, 18:30 CET
Significance: With Bayern not playing on Saturday, this clash will be compulsory viewing. Both Leipzig (1-0 at Stuttgart) and Dortmund (2-0 against Wolfsburg) began the new year with a win to nil and head into Saturday’s prime-time match with confidence. Fourth-placed BVB are six points behind Leipzig in second and are probably under the greater pressure ahead of what is a very tough task – Julian Nagelsmann’s side have claimed 19 of a possible 21 points on home soil this season.
Key fact: Dortmund are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Red Bulls (W3 D2) and are the only team, along with Bayern, to have inflicted four defeats on the Saxony club in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund won 2-0 in this fixture on Matchday 33 of last season.
Matchday 15 overview
Friday, 08.01.2021 | 20:30 CET
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. FC Bayern München
Saturday, 09.01.2021 | 15:30 CET
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. SV Werder Bremen
Sport-Club Freiburg vs. 1. FC Köln
1. FC Union Berlin vs. VfL Wolfsburg
FC Schalke 04 vs. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday, 09.01.2021 | 18:30 CET
RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Dortmund
Sunday, 10.01.2021 | 15:30 CET
FC Augsburg vs. VfB Stuttgart
Sunday, 10.01.2021 | 18:00 CET
DSC Arminia Bielefeld vs. Hertha BSC
Leaders Bayern Munich travel to Mönchengladbach on Matchday 15 – we look back at five legends who influenced both clubs:
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