It's a top versus bottom Bundesliga clash on Wednesday with in-form Bayern Munich hosting an out of sorts Cologne side badly in need of a morale boost following a tyring campaign to date (kick-off 20:30 CET/19:30 GMT).
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Having confirmed theirstatus as winter champions following a hard-fought win away against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, Bayern will be heavy favourites to add another three points to their tally when basement boys Cologne come calling. The defending champions have won seven of eight top flight games under the returning Jupp Heynckes, who has slowly seen the treatment room emptying over recent weeks. Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich faces a fitness test after he pulled up during the warm-up in Franfurt last weekend; Tom Starke is on stand-by. This game still comes too soon for Manuel Neuer and Thiago Alcantara, however, with the pair nursing long-term injuries.
The Billy Goats' list of absentees is even longer, with key players like Jonas Hector, Dominic Maroh and John Cordoba, among others, absent for what represents a huge challenge at the Allianz Arena. Cologne are still to secure a first Bundesliga win this term, a fact that cost Peter Stöger his job last week, while they suffered a demoralising reverse against Freiburg on Matchday 15, the carnival club surrendering a 3-0 lead before eventually going down 4-3.
Watch: James takes goes native Bavarian at a Bayern Munich fan club!
Probable line-ups:
Bayern: Ulreich - Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba - Martinez, Vidal - Müller, James, Coman - Lewandowski
Absentees: Neuer (foot), Thiago (thigh)
Coach: Jupp Heynckes
Cologne: T. Horn - Olkowski, Bisseck, Sorensen, Heintz, J. Horn - Lehmann, Özcan, Jojic - Osako, Guirassy
Absentees: Maroh (hamstring), Risse (knee), Hector (ankle), Zoller (muscular injury), Cordoba (hamstring)
Coach: Stefan Ruthenbeck
Another win for @FCBayernEN confirms that they will be top of the #Bundesliga at Christmas.
Congratulations