Bundesliga Preview: Bayern out to secure record while Champions League race intensifies

Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Saturday knowing that a draw will see them break the all-time points record.

Champions Bayern, who equalled the record mark of 81 when they hammered Hannover 6-1 last weekend, take on UEFA Champions League hopefuls Freiburg on the back of an excellent 4-0 win over Spanish giants Barcelona on Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund, who were convincing winners over Real Madrid on Wednesday, will aim to extend their winning run in domestic competition to seven games but face a tough trip to a Fortuna Dusseldorf side fighting for survival.

One team in desperate need for a victory is Greuther Furth. Frank Kramer’s men are nine points adrift of 16th-placed Augsburg and  know that failure to overcome Hannover will all but guarantee an immediate return to the second tier.

Hoffenheim occupy the second automatic relegation spot, but they and Augsburg can pile pressure on the sides above them with home wins against Stuttgart and Nurnberg respectively.

Werder Bremen will be one of those teams looking over their shoulders, with Thomas Schaaf’s charges only two points ahead of Augsburg and without a win since early February.

An upturn in fortunes appears unlikely this weekend, as they travel to face a Bayer Leverkusen side who can secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League with victory.

The battle for a place in top four is one of the fiercest in recent years, with five teams fighting it out for the final spot.

Borussia Monchengladbach will try to keep up their challenge when they travel to Wolfsburg, while Eintracht Frankfurt face Mainz in another crucial clash.

Schalke face Hamburg in the final game of the weekend at the Veltins Arena. Jens Keller’s men have been disappointing this season, but can tigthen grip on fourth place with a win over Thorsten’s Fink’s side.