© Imago
First vs. third - if we go by the situation in the table ahead of FC Bayern's home game against TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday (17:30 CET) we could be in for a thrilling match. It's the clash between the reigning champions and the in-form team in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim have won all of their last five league games. Find out what else speaks in favour of an absolute top encounter between Bayern and TSG and what FCB must pay particular attention to in the key facts on the match.
Strongest attacking teams go head-to-head
20 matchdays in, FC Bayern have notched up a staggering 74 goals - an all-time Bundesliga record. | © FC Bayern
With 74 goals after 20 games, FC Bayern not only boast the best attack but also the highest goal tally at this point in the season in Bundesliga history. However, TSG Hoffenheim have also been hungry for goals this season and have the second-best attack in the Bundesliga with 43 goals. FCB also have the best chance conversion rate (19.6 per cent), while Hoffenheim have the second-best (16.7 per cent).
Kompany's brilliant record against TSG
FC Bayern have won all three Bundesliga games against TSG Hoffenheim under coach Vincent Kompany and have scored at least four goals in each of them - something the Bavarians have only managed to do against 1. FC Heidenheim under Kompany.
FC Bayern won 4-1 in the reverse fixture in Sinsheim. | © Imago
Hoffenheim in great form
With 42 points after 20 games, Hoffenheim are enjoying their best ever Bundesliga season - in the three-point era, a third-placed team has never amassed more points after 20 games. Their current run of five Bundesliga wins in a row equals the club record. TSG are also unbeaten in seven games, making them the Bundesliga's most in-form team at the moment.
Neuer vs. Baumann – a record-equalling battle
© Imago
Assuming they both play, Bayern's Manuel Neuer and Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann will go head-to-head for the 27th time in the Bundesliga, equalling the league record. Only the goalkeeping duel between Eike Immel and Uli Stein has been contested as often in history (27 times). Neuer has made the second most Bundesliga appearances of all goalkeepers (539), Baumann the fifth most (509).
Assist machine Michael Olise
Michael Olise is currently on 15 assists in this Bundesliga campaign, meaning he's already equalled his total for the whole of last season. Since the start of detailed data collection in 2004/05, only Thomas Müller had recorded more assists after 20 matchdays in 2021/22 (16).
Beware of Kramarić
No other current Bundesliga player has scored as many league goals against FC Bayern as Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić (8). The Croatian has been in good form of late and bagged his 133rd and 134th Bundesliga goals last weekend, which took him past Giovane Élber (133) into third place among the non-German record goalscorers in Bundesliga history, behind Robert Lewandowski (312) and Claudio Pizarro (197).
Bundesliga Matchdays 25-27 have been confirmed:
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