Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. FC Bayern: The facts ahead of first competitive game of the year

The winter break is over and FC Bayern return to competitive action with the Bundesliga meeting at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening (18:30 CET). After the 5-1 win over RB Leipzig just before Christmas, Vincent Kompany and his team will be hoping to start the new year as successfully as the old one ended. The Munich men know full well how to do that, having lost just one of their last nine matches after the turn of the year (W7, D1) – although that was against upcoming opponents Mönchengladbach in January three years ago. Read the rest of the facts on the match to find out what speaks for and against a Bayern success.

Gladbach – tricky opponents

Bayern haven't always enjoyed trips to Mönchengladbach in the past. The Reds have lost five of their last nine away games against the Foals (W3, D1), the most defeats they've suffered on the road against one team in this period. FCB are still well in front in the overall head-to-head with 53 wins from 112 matches, but the 28 defeats are also more than they've experienced against any other club in the German top flight. That said, the German record champions did win both meetings with Borussia last season, meaning that Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane – appointed in summer 2023 – is still winless against FCB in five meetings (previously one draw and two losses with Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

Bayern relish top billing

The so-called Bundesliga Topspiel at 18:30 on Saturday evening doesn't suit both of these sides. While Bayern are unbeaten in their last five matches in this slot (W3, D2) – currently longer than every other Bundesliga team – Gladbach haven't managed to win any of their last 12 fixtures at this kick-off time (D5, L7). Not only is that a bad run for Gladbach, but it's also the longest drought of this kind in the league.

Musiala already matched 2023/24 output

Jamal Musiala starred in the 5-1 win over Leipzig at the end of the year with a goal and an assist. They were the 21-year-old's 18th and 19th direct goal involvements in just the 22nd competitive match of the current campaign, already equalling his figure from last season – that was in 38 competitive appearances. Musiala can now set his sights on his personal best of 29 goal contributions from the 2022/23 season (16 goals and 13 assists in 47 games).

Bayern's bulwark

Kompany's men boast the best defence in the Bundesliga with just 13 goals conceded – and that's by no means a coincidence. The Bavarians allowed just five opposition attempts on goal per game over the first 15 matchdays of the season. The league average is around 13 per match.