What points to FCB starting a new winning run in clash of contrasts

Following their first defeat of the season on Wednesday evening (3-1 in the Champions League at Arsenal), FC Bayern are aiming to quickly get back to winning ways. On Saturday (15:30 CET), the Munich side will have the opportunity to start a new run: Bayern host FC St. Pauli at the Allianz Arena in what will be a clash of contrasts. While FCB have been outstanding in the Bundesliga so far with ten wins and one draw from 11 games, St. Pauli are experiencing a slump in form after a strong start with seven points from their first three games. The Kiezkicker have lost their last eight games, a negative club record in the German top flight.

Two further statistics that emphasise the current disparity between Bayern and St. Pauli: FCB have the highest expected goals average in the current Bundesliga season (29.7), while their upcoming opponents from Hamburg have the lowest (10.7). The Munich men have also been behind in games for the shortest period this season (56 minutes), St. Pauli for the longest (571 minutes).

But these are not the only facts that point to the start of a new run of success for Bayern - read more about this in the facts on the game.

FCB’s outstanding league form

With 31 points from the first11 games, FC Bayern are enjoying the joint-best season of any club in Bundesliga history. Only FCB themselves in 2015/16 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2023/24 had as many points after 11 matchdays. Bayern are the only undefeated club in the big five leagues in Europe this season (ten wins, one draw). Bayern's unbeaten run of 20 consecutive Bundesliga games following on from last season (16 wins, four draws) is their longest since 2019/2020, when they went 21 games unbeaten.

Goal machine running at full speed

FCB racked up 41 goals in the first 11 matchdays (an average of 3.7 goals per game). Only Bayern themselves surpassed that in 2023/24 (42). The Munich men have also scored at least twice in each of their last 19 Bundesliga matches. And now the German champions could equal the Bundesliga record: in 2013/14, FCB scored at least two goals in 20 consecutive league games.

FCB set new record at the top of the table

Regardless of how the game against St. Pauli goes on Saturday, Bayern will remain top of the Bundesliga table at the end of Matchday 12. This will be the 44th consecutive Bundesliga matchday that the Munich side will have ended at the top of the table, setting a new Bundesliga record - from 1972 to 1973, Bayern achieved this on 43 consecutive matchdays.

Olise in terrific form

Michael Olise was directly involved in five goals for Bayern for the first time in the home match against SC Freiburg (two goals, three assists). At 23 years and 345 days old, he's the youngest FCB player to achieve this since detailed data first started being recorded (2004/05). This season, only Harry Kane has notched up more goal contributions (17) than Olise (12).

Neuer on verge of milestone

Manuel Neuer is set to make his 534th appearance in the Bundesliga. This would see him join Eike Immel in second place among the record goalkeepers in Bundesliga history. Only Oliver Kahn racked up more Bundesliga appearances (557).

We've taken a closer look at our upcoming opponents: