Darmstadt vs Bayern Munich

Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor forms the backdrop for a lopsided Bundesliga encounter between relegation-battling Darmstadt and defending holders Bayern Munich.

Rock-bottom Darmstadt can’t catch a break this season. Last weekend’s comfortable 2-0 defeat at RB Leipzig left the newly-promoted outfit pinned to the foot of the Bundesliga table, 12 points adrift of safety. But avoiding a swift return to the second tier is not beyond reach as Torsten Lieberknecht’s men trail 16th-placed Cologne by five points. Bridging that gap would see Darmstadt secure a place in the relegation playoffs. It’s easier said than done, considering they’re in the midst of the club’s longest-ever winless run in the top flight after Leipzig condemned them to an 18th straight league game without a win (D6, L12). Bayern’s visit to Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor threatens to extend that dismal streak, with Darmstadt picking up just one point in eight previous Bundesliga H2Hs (D1, L7).

Visiting Bayern Munich confirmed their dominance in this match-up with a mind-blowing 8-0 win in the reverse fixture. Thomas Tuchel’s side became the first Bundesliga side to score 8+ goals in two league matches during a single league campaign since Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1967/68 when they thrashed Mainz 8-1 last weekend. It was a morale-boosting victory, albeit probably futile in terms of their pursuit of a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title, as they finished the previous round ten points behind pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen. Among the principal reasons for the Bavarians’ faltering title defense is their dreadful form on the road, which has seen them go winless on their last four travels across all competitions (D1, L3).