When Bayern host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday (15:30 CEST), the goal for Hansi Flick’s side is to take the next step towards the defence of their Bundesliga title. Find out in our facts and figures what’s in FCB’s favour for the title race, which run they can extend against the Berliners and why headers will be so important.
1. Bayern attack vs. Union defence
The reigning world and European champions have scored in each of their last 63 matches across all competitions, setting a new record for a professional German team. Their tally for this league campaign is already a whopping 79 goals, which is the second most in Bundesliga history after 27 matchdays – only FCB themselves have had more with 80 last season. Flick’s side have also scored 50 of those in their 13 home games this term at an average of 3.8 per match.
As for the opponents, Union have conceded no more than one goal in 20 of their 27 league fixtures this season and boast the division’s fourth-tightest defence. The team from Köpenick are having a very good season and already sit on 39 points, which is nine more than they had at this stage last year.
2. All in favour of the title defence
Bayern have a seven-point lead over RB Leipzig with seven matchdays remaining in 2020/21. No Bundesliga leader in the era of three points for a win has ever squandered such an advantage at this stage of a season.
3. The league’s form team
The champions are the only team in the Bundesliga to have won their last five league games. Another three points against Union would make it the best run of the season. The previous two times Bayern won five in a row, they went on to draw the sixth at home (1-1 vs. Bremen and 3-3 vs. Bielefeld).
4. Aerial supremacy key
Two of the last three goals in games between Bayern and Union have been scored by headers. That could also be decisive in this encounter as the league’s two best sides for headed goals meet. Only FCB (15) have more this season than the Berliners (12).
5. Müller the X-Factor
Thomas Müller is the Bundesliga’s top provider this season with 15 goals. Add in 10 goals, and he’s had a direct hand in 25 goals. The only time he’s had more in an entire campaign was last season with 29 (eight goals, 21 assists). The Bayern No.25 has also played a part in at least one goal in seven of the last eight league games (three goals, six assists).
Find out what the competition are getting up to this weekend:
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