Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin

Allianz Arena is the venue as Bayern Munich and Union Berlin trade tackles in contrasting Bundesliga circumstances.

Complacency caught up with Bayern Munich after a four-game winning start to their Champions League Group A campaign as they drew 0-0 with Copenhagen in midweek European action. Keen to prove it was only a one-off after netting a staggering 28 goals in their six prior home outings across all competitions, the ‘Bavarians’ will be out to extend their six-match winning streak in the Bundesliga and at least stay within striking distance of pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen. Only two points separate the sides ahead of the kick-off, even though the record-time German champions are enjoying their third-best start in the club’s Bundesliga history (W10, D2). That run looks destined to continue as Thomas Tuchel’s men are unbeaten in their last 53 league matches against sides starting the round nailed to the bottom two spots.

Bayern’s formidable record against struggling Bundesliga sides doesn’t bode well for Union Berlin’s faint hopes of registering their first H2H win in the top flight after eight failed attempts (D3, L5). New ‘Die Eisernen’ boss Nenad Bjelica oversaw a 1-1 draw with Sporting Braga on his touchline debut in midweek Champions League action, extending Union’s disastrous winless run in all competitions to 16 games. Urs Fischer’s successor faces another mammoth task to galvanize his men, who are without a win on their last nine competitive road trips (D2, L7), including five consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga, four of which saw them concede multiple goals. Nothing’s likely to change this weekend as they’ve lost their last two top-flight visits to the Allianz Arena by 3+ goals ‘to nil.’