It's been just six weeks since FC Bayern and 1. FSV Mainz 05 last faced off in the MEWA Arena in the DFB Cup. Now it's time for a quick rematch in the Bundesliga on Saturday (15.30 CET). The men from Munich thrashed their opponents 4-0 in the round of 16 clash at the same venue - in part because Jamal Musiala bagged his first senior hat-trick in the match. Read about Musiala and Co.'s other impressive stats in the match facts and figures.
Mainz not always worth a visit
Before their resounding cup success in this year's round of 16, FC Bayern defeated the Zerofivers 8-1 at the Allianz Arena back in March. However, the clashes between the two sides have not always been as clear-cut as in this year. Of the seven most recent meetings in the Bundesliga, Mainz have won three of them - all at their own stadium. Bayern haven't lost as many away games at any other club in this competition since the start of the 2020/21 season. Incidentally, all three defeats came when FCB travelled to Mainz as league leaders, but hopefully that won't be a bad omen for Saturday. Especially as scoring goals always works well against Mainz: Bayern have recorded an average of 2.9 goals per game against FSV in the Bundesliga - more than against any other team they've faced more than ten times.
Will Musiala extend his run against his new favourite opponents?
Jamal Musiala has taken a liking to Mainz 05, and not just since the last cup tie. The attacking midfielder has scored a total of seven competitive goals against FSV, more than against any other opponents he's faced in his career. Now the 21-year-old could extend an impressive run at Mainz: Musiala has scored in each of his past six Bundesliga games on the road. In the history of the competition, only five players have bettered that total - including two big names who achieved the feat in an FC Bayern jersey: Gerd Müller did it in seven consecutive away games in 1969/70 and Robert Lewandowski in eight games in 2020/21, which set a new Bundesliga record.
Kompany's impressive start
Vincent Kompany's 4-2 win over Heidenheim means he's still undefeated after 13 Bundesliga games in the dugout. Alongside record-holder Pep Guardiola, who did not lose any of his first 28 Bundesliga games, only Karlheinz Feldkamp remained unbeaten for so long at the start of his Bundesliga coaching career. Feldkamp lasted until his 15th game, which means Kompany could now equal his 14-game milestone at Mainz.
Bayern's lead is growing
With 33 points after 13 games, FC Bayern are enjoying their best Bundesliga season in nine years. At this point in 2015/16, the club had already amassed 37 points, which was also the last season in which the men from Munich were undefeated after the first 13 matchdays. Thanks to these impressive figures, the Reds are already six points ahead of their closest rivals Eintracht Frankfurt. The last time there was such a large cushion between first and second place in the Bundesliga was six years ago, when leaders Borussia Dortmund were a full seven points ahead of second-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Watch out for Mainz's Burkhardt
Mainz's Jonathan Burkardt is currently in terrific form. The striker is the only Bundesliga player to have scored on each of the last four matchdays, marking the first time in his career that he's scored in four consecutive Bundesliga games.
FC Bayern warmed up for the clash with a commanding CL win over Shakhtar Donetsk:
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