First versus second: 7 explosive Bundesliga showdowns between Bayern and Leverkusen

It's the very definition of a top-of-the-table clash! On Saturday evening (18:30 CEST), leaders FC Bayern host closest challengers Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a Bundesliga showdown at the Allianz Arena. The two teams met in similar circumstances last season, albeit with the Werkself sitting at the summit then. The fact that the Munich men failed to win either of the meetings with ex-Bayern player Xabi Alonso's team (2-2 draw and 3-0 defeat) should provide an extra dollop of motivation for the next edition of this match-up.

In any case, fans can look forward to a hotly contested fight: there's always drama when these two heavyweights meet as the top two. fcbayern.com looks back through the history:

1 November 1986: Bayern lose top-of-the-table clash & top spot

"It's certainly good for the Bundesliga," said Bayer striker Herbert Waas after his team's 3-0 victory in Munich in November 1986. It was the Werkself's first ever victory at Bayern – and knocked the defending champions off top spot. After Falko Götz's early opener (13'), FCB stayed in the game for a long time until two late goals from Christian Hausmann (79') and Götz (87') sealed the result. Leverkusen, who according to forward Waas before the game "wanted a point", collected a big three in the title race as they ran the record champions close in the first half of the season. In the end, though, Bayer fell away and finished the campaign in sixth place, while Bayern looked down from above and celebrated their 10th league title.

23 September 1995: Penalty decides tight contest

The 63,000 spectators at the Munich Olympiastadion in September 1995 were treated to an intriguing but largely laborious and goalless top-of-the-table clash. Bayern had built up a little cushion at the summit early on in the season and had a five-point lead over closest pursuers Leverkusen going into the home game on Matchday 7. Thanks to a late winner from Jürgen Klinsmann, who scored from the spot after a foul on Mehmet Scholl in the closing stages, the Bavarians pulled further clear. Bayer 04 were no longer serious contenders for the title after that and finished the campaign in 14th place. Instead, the record champions fought a close race with Borussia Dortmund, who came out on top in the end.

13 December 1998: Tarnat & Élber save Christmas

Before this showdown in December 1998, Uli Hoeneß had warned that a defeat for his Bayern would spoil Christmas. The words of the club's general manager illustrated the importance of the match, as FCB hosted leaders Leverkusen level on points two weeks before Christmas Eve. It quickly became clear that the Munich men would defy the pressure. They didn't let the visitors play the game they wanted and were clinical going forward. Michael Tarnat and Giovane Élber ensured a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break, which Bayer were unable to shake in the second 45 minutes. "There was a lot of talk in the build-up," said Stefan Effenberg at full time, adding with regards to Hoeneß' worries: "I think he's relieved." Not only was Christmas saved by the win at home, but the victory was also a turning point in the season – the record champions overtook the Werkself at the top of the table and stayed there.

9 February 2000: Milestone on the way to title

The importance of Bayern's victory over the Werkself in their top-of-the-table in February 2000 would only emerge later. With the two sides level on points, the Reds comfortably won 4-1 and moved into top spot. Bayern couldn't maintain this form for the rest of the season, though, and all hope appeared to be lost ahead of the final day of the campaign, with FCB trailing Leverkusen by three points. They could no longer win the title by their own doing. A draw would've been enough for Bayer 04 at Unterhaching, but while the Werkself slipped up in the suburbs, they squandered the title race on the last metres. Bayern did their job and snatched the championship with a 3-1 win over Bremen.

29 September 2007: Hitzfeld’s smart move pays off

While Munich was celebrating at Oktoberfest, Bayern were celebrating on the pitch – but it was hard work for the German record champions. After the narrow 1-0 win over the Werkself on Matchday 7, head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld knew: "That was our hardest test so far." Second-placed Leverkusen started very well and set a high tempo against the leaders from Munich. The Bayer attack of Theofanis Gekas, Stefan Kießling and Tranquillo Barnetta exposed "problems in the defensive organisation", as the Swiss tactician described afterwards. That was also noticed by Bayern striker Miroslav Klose: "I think we had real problems in the first half." Hitzfeld reacted and tried to invigorate the Bayern attack with a smart move: he pulled the Germany striker back into midfield. "We then controlled the game in the last quarter of the first half," stated the coach. The change had an effect, as Klose set up the winning goal for Luca Toni in the 40th minute.

19 December 2020: Bayern's 'Hollywood film' has a happy ending

The script for the year 2020 was good for FC Bayern. Victory in the Champions League final, the DFB Cup triumph, the 30th Bundesliga title: in total the German record champions and their fans had six trophies to celebrate within 12 months. For the final act, the leaders travelled to nearest rivals Leverkusen. The most successful year in the club's history was to be brought to a worthy conclusion in the top-of-the-table clash. "We wanted to show that we're the best team in Germany," said Thomas Müller, who admitted after the game that the Werkself "are very close to us. They could wound us." Bayer did indeed wound the visitors in the 14th minute, when Patrik Schick gave his side the lead. After Robert Lewandowski equalised shortly before the break, it looked to be heading for a draw. But there was a happy ending for Bayern. With one minute of regular time left, Lewandowski provided the winning goal for the Bavarians. "The fact we scored the winner in the last second belongs in a Hollywood film about our year 2020," said Müller.

17 October 2021: Gnabry & Co destroy Bayer in 37 minutes

Robert Lewandowski summarised the statement 5-1 victory at pursuers Leverkusen: "Five goals in 45 minutes – the result shows what football we played." His team were bursting with flair, dominating the game at will in the first half and leading 5-0 after 37 minutes. Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry each scored a brace, with Thomas Müller also on the scoresheet. Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane admitted: "FC Bayern did very well today. If they have a top day and we don't have such a good day, then a result like this can happen."

Gnabry, Müller and Co will be hoping to crush Leverkusen again on Saturday – and furnish their fans with a home win during Oktoberfest.

Bayern began preparing for the match against Leverkusen on Monday – and welcomed back a returnee: