Leaders Bayern Munich will have to keep up winning ways on Saturday at Borussia Park against hosts Borussia Monchengladbach if they are to fend of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and reclaim the Bundesliga title at the end of the season.
Die Fohlen are in eighth place with 24 points and beat Hoffenheim 2-1 on December 21, while Bayern are first with 36 points and maintained their four-point lead on Leverkusen when they triumphed 5-1 against RB Leipzig on December 20.
Match preview
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The home team were perhaps fortunate to take all three points from Hoffenheim considering they only created one big chance while facing five themselves, as well as the fact they conceded nearly 3.5 xG.
In the buildup to his side's game against Bayern, manager Gerardo Seoane emphasised the need to remain calm, saying: "We have to be brave, but not headless. It's important to recognize situations in which we can press higher and threaten the opponent. In terms of possession, we will probably be inferior against this top team."
Die Fohlen are in strong form considering they have won four, drawn two and lost just one of their seven most recent outings, scoring on 14 occasions.
However, Seoane's team have only kept two clean sheets in their last 11 matches in all competitions, and have conceded six times in their past four games.
Borussia Monchengladbach's home record is excellent given they are unbeaten in six fixtures at Borussia Park, winning five times in that period.
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Visitors Bayern come into Saturday's clash having thoroughly outplayed Leipzig, scoring three times by the 36th minute and limiting Die Roten Bullen to just 0.14 xG after Benjamin Sesko's goal in the second minute of the first half.
Bavarians boss Vincent Kompany reflected positively on his first six months in charge after the victory, saying: "What I've experienced with Bayern has been victories, defeats - good performances, bad performances - you learn from that. I've felt at home with every step we've taken so far.
"It's also about how you get through bad phases. After the Barcelona game, we had seven wins in a row. In the moment after the game, things were critical on the outside, which is right - but things were calm internally. We have good quality, and even more so when the injured players come back."
Kompany can be proud of how he has coached his side's attack considering they have already scored 47 times in just 15 top-flight games, and are on track to score their most goals in a single league season since the 1964-65 campaign.
Der FCB boast the league's best defensive record having conceded 13 times in the Bundesliga, and their goal difference of 34 is 18 better than Leverkusen's tally.
It should be noted that Bayern have lost one and drawn one of their four most recent league fixtures, though they have only been beaten once in their last 15 top-flight games.
The Bavarians' away form is also strong, with the club emerging victorious in four of their past six matches on the road, drawing one and losing one.
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Team News
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The hosts will not be able to select winger Nathan N'Goumou until late January, while Franck Honorat is a doubt.
Striker Tim Kleindienst is certain to lead Borussia Monchengladbach's attack, and he could be supported by Kevin Stoger, Alassane Plea and Robin Hack.
Ko Itakura and Nico Elvedi may start in central defence behind a double pivot of Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl.
Bayern are contending with several absentees, including suspended defender Dayot Upamecano, as well as Hiroki Ito, Sacha Boey, Josip Stanisic and Tarek Buchmann.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is likely to be protected by a backline consisting of Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Kim Min-jae and Alphonso Davies.
Elsewhere, Thomas Muller may start in an advanced role ahead of midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka given Jamal Musiala and Joao Palhinha are not expected to play on Saturday.
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Stoger, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayern Munich
Die Fohlen may prove to be a difficult test for Bayern to overcome due to the hosts' strong record at Borussia Park, but Kompany will be confident that his side can take all three points given their attacking potency.
It would not be surprising if the Bavarians initially struggled to break down their opponents' low block before creating significantly more opportunities should they take the lead, as Borussia Monchengladbach would be forced to leave more space behind their defence in search of an equaliser.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
