Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern Munich side host Julian Nagelsmann's high-flying TSG 1899 Hoffenheim side on Saturday afternoon at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga, looking to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
Two unbeaten sides to date
This encounter promises to be a very close one as both sides remain unbeaten going into the match. Bayern have won seven and drawn two of their nine matches to date while the visitors have won five and drawn four of their matches to date which sees them sitting in third position.
Bayern come into the game on the back three victories within a week. Firstly they dismantled FC Augsburg twice in four days 3-1 before they defeated PSV Eindhoven 2-1 away in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
The visitors are also on a role after moving to within four points of their hosts last weekend after defeating Hertha BSC 1-0 at home but know that this game will be the biggest game of the season to date.
Hosts favourites for the game
This reason is due to the fact that in the previous sixteen meetings between the sides, Bayern have won 12 and drawn four which stands them in good stead ahead of the game.
The corresponding fixture last season proved this stat as Bayern ran out 2-0 winners at home thanks to a brace of goals from in-form Robert Lewandowski, who has opened the scoring in Bayern's last two fixtures.
Team News
Ancelotti has a few injury concerns ahead of the game. Thiago was ruled out not long before kick-off on Tuesday night at PSV so he faces a late fitness test to see if he can play this weekend's match but if he doesn't make it Joshua Kimmich should replace him in the team.
Frank Ribery, who has been out recently with a hamstring injury, returned to training this week but is not likely to feature in the starting eleven just yet. Ancelotti could rotate his side from the midweek game in the Champions League so Douglas Costa could come back into the team to give Arjen Robben a much-needed rest. Javi Martinez remains on the sidelines with a groin injury.
The visitors are also without a couple of key players for the game in Munich. Joint second top scorer Mark Uth is out of the game with a muscular injury while Pirmin Schwegler also remains doubtful for the match.
Nagelsmann, therefore, is expected to continue with the team and same formation that has brought his team so much success this season so far.
Predicted line-ups
Bayern Munich: (4-1-2-2-1) Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba; Xabi Alonso; Kimmich, Vidal; Müller, Douglas Costa; Lewandowski.
Hoffenheim: (3-2-3-2) Baumann; Süle, Vogt, Hübner; Toljan, Kaderabek; Rudy, Demirbay, Rupp; Wagner, Kramaric.