Top of the table FC Bayern welcome third-placed Bayer Leverkusen to the Allianz Arena on Saturday (15:30 CET) for the standout fixture of Matchday 25 in the Bundesliga. Recent form and offensive prowess promise the best football entertainment from the two opponents. You can find out why in the facts and figures about the clash with the Werkself.
1. Overall balance in Bayern's favour
After two defeats in a row, FC Bayern have won the last four Bundesliga games against Leverkusen. The Munich side had only previously managed such a winning streak against them in the Bundesliga from 2005 to 2009 (nine wins in a row). It's seen the record champions continue to build on their good record against Bayer 04, winning 51 out of 85 games. There have been 18 victories for Leverkusen and 16 draws.
The most recent clash with Leverkusen in October produced a clear 5-1 win for Bayern.
2. Clear result in the return fixture
FC Bayern won the first meeting of the season 5-1 at the BayArena, inflicting the heaviest defeat of 2021/22 on Gerardo Seoane's team. Leverkusen lost their seventh game in a row against the respective Bundesliga leaders. Their most recent points against opponents sitting top of the table came from a 0-0 draw against Bayern in April 2017.
3. FCB scoring run
The 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend saw Bayern extend their own record scoring streak in the Bundesliga to 71 games in a row. And they also have an impressive scoring run against the Werkself. FCB have scored in each of the past 31 home league games against Leverkusen since a 1-0 loss in October 1989 - more than 32 years ago. Bayern have only managed a longer run of goals at home in the Bundesliga against Hamburg (39 games since 1979).
Bayern won their last home game against Leverkusen 2-0 almost eleven months ago with goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Joshua Kimmich.
4. Attacking spectacle guaranteed
Both Bayern (75, a Bundesliga record) and Leverkusen (63) have scored more goals after 24 Bundesliga games than ever before this season. In addition, FCB (203) and B04 (150) are the two teams with the most shots on target so far. Leverkusen (62) and Bayern (64) are almost level at the top of that standing in the second half of the campaign.
5. Top assisters and in-form goalscorers
The two best providers of this Bundesliga season face off in Thomas Müller (16 assists) and Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz (10). As Werkself top scorer Patrik Schick (20 goals) will probably be injured, we're unlikely to see a clash with the division's two top scorers, headed by Robert Lewandowski (28). However, Leverkusen still have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Moussa Diaby. The Frenchman has scored seven goals since the winter break, only behind FIFA World Player Lewandowski (nine).
Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the last home game against Fürth.
6. Leverkusen travel to Munich in top form
Leverkusen have racked up 16 points and 23 goals from seven games in 2022 - this is their best start to the second half of a Bundesliga season ever.
7. Fair play
Julian Nagelsmann's team have committed the fewest fouls this season (209), followed in second by Leverkusen (251). But while Bayern have also seen the fewest yellow cards (20) in 2021/22, the Werkself players have been more aggressive. Bayer 04's 53 cautions is the highest in the current season.
Bayern clinched an important 1-0 win in Frankfurt last matchday - here are the facts:
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