Bundesliga preview: Star duo give Bayern hope

Bayern Munich face an almost impossible task in trying to catch Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, despite the return of two star men.

Last Saturday, influential wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben finally appeared together for the first time since their DFB Cup triumph over Werder Bremen in May 2010.

Reunited, the men who fired Bayern to the Champions League final last season combined to provide a reminder of their deadly potential in a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim.

But their return to fitness may have come too late to salvage Bayern’s season – the reigning champions are 13 points behind Dortmund and appear certain to surrender their title to the runaway leaders.

Aside from a surprise defeat at Cologne a fortnight ago, Bayern have largely been resurgent in 2011.

On Saturday they travel to play Mainz 05, a team that have moved steadily in the wrong direction after occupying top spot in the early months of the season.

Mainz have gone from surprise front runners to fifth in the league and have won just twice in their last eight matches.

If Bayern can win at faltering Mainz, it may put some pressure on Dortmund, who have not had everything their own way in the second half of the campaign.

They are undefeated in 2011, but have won only twice in five matches, drawing at home to Schalke and away to Kaiserslautern in their last two outings.

Coach Jurgen Klopp will be keen for his team to return to their imperious form of late 2010 when they host promoted St Pauli at the Westfalenstadion.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Hamburg are at home to Werder Bremen, who continue to struggle and are just one point clear of the drop zone.

Third-bottom Kaiserslautern travel to fourth-placed Hannover, while Hoffenheim play host to Cologne.

Wolfsburg are clear of the relegation places on goal difference only and will be searching for their first win after sacking manager Steve McLaren when they travel to Freiburg.

Two more teams fighting for the survival are in action on Sunday, with last-placed Borussia Monchengladbach at home to Schalke and second bottom VfB Stuttgart away to Bayer Leverkusen.

On Friday, Nurnberg are at home to fellow mid-table side Eintracht Frankfurt.