Our next opponents: FCB attack chasing records

Position

Looking back, the performance of Bayer 04 on 30 November could hardly be overrated. In front of a capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena, the Werkself won 2-1 with two goals from Leon Bailey to inflict the only home defeat on Bayern to date in the current campaign. And there's more: Since the game against the Bosz team earlier in the season, the record champions have only failed to win two of the last 20 games: The 2-1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach a week after the Bailey brace and the goalless draw against Leipzig in February. FC Bayern also came out on top in a possibly crucial game to decide the German league title: Last week, FCB beat their closest rivals Dortmund 1-0 at their own ground to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. That was followed at the weekend by a clear statement of intent: Bayern put on a great display against Fortuna Düsseldorf and registered a 5-0 victory with some exciting attacking football at times. After the game at the BayArena, the league leaders – as with Bayer 04 (at FC Saarbrücken) – are in action in the DFB Cup semifinals with a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt. So it is possible the encounter between the Werkself and FC Bayern on Saturday may not be the final meeting of the season.

Personnel

Following the recent goal fest against Düsseldorf, another record is in touching distance for Bayern. The team under coach Hansi Flick have scored 86 goals so far this season. The record for a Bundesliga season is 101 goals, also set by FCB (1971/72). 15 goals are required in the remaining five games to level that long-standing record. Back in 1971/72, a certain Gerd Müller found the back of the net 40 times to set the record for the most goals by a player. Bayern goal-getter Robert Lewandowski has scored 29 so far. It appears unlikely the Poland international will be able to break this record. Although: Lewandowski is – once again – in outstanding form with a tally of seven goals from his last six league games. And: He has one of the best attacks in the world behind him. Thomas Müller, who is enjoying some of his best times in his career since Hansi Flick took the helm, has a realistic chance of breaking another Bundesliga record: The 30-year-old has an impressive 18 assists to date and he could overtake Leipzig's Emil Forsberg, who clocked up 22 in 2016/17 – the highest number in a season since records have been kept.

At the same time, Bayern are not the measure of all things in the Bundesliga just because of their attack. The defence has become incredibly solid under Flick: Since the restart, FCB have not conceded a single goal from open play. David Alaba is flourishing in his new role as central defender and on the left of the back four, the Canadian Alphonso Davies is the rising star of the season. Who can stop Bayern winning the title?

Problems

What are the problems for a team where everything is going to plan at the moment? Possibly the only one is that they could be even stronger if they hadn't had so many injuries. The cover is relatively thin, above all, in midfield as both Corentin Tolisso as well as Philippe Coutinho and Thiago are all currently sidelined through injury. There is a possibility that the last-named could play against the Werkself. Also missing is the regular first choice in defence Niklas Süle who has not played since tearing a cruciate in October and he recently suffered the setback of a knee injury on his way back to fitness. It is expected that the central defender should play before the end of the season – but probably not against Bayer 04.

Potential

Even with all the quality in the first eleven, there is a young generation ready to break through. Left-back Davies (19) could be one of the faces of FCB in the coming years and the same-aged Joshua Zirkzee is following on in the footsteps of Lewandowski as a super sub with one or two incredibly important goals for Bayern. Oliver Batista Meier, also 19 years old, made his Bundesliga debut against Düsseldorf. One sign of the strength of the next generation at the record champions is provided by look at the third division table: The FCB second team are in fifth place – and that almost exclusively with players who are 21 or younger. Bayern fans will definitely not have to worry too much about the future.

Prediction

In the winter, it looked as if the run of seven league titles in succession might actually come to an end. Bayern were briefly in seventh place at the start of December and now they have a seven-point lead over second place. The way FCB have played in the last six months is a real show of strength – and league title number eight is now within reach. Given their top form in recent weeks, it appears highly unlikely that Flick's team will let that lead slip.