Bundesliga season resumes as leaders Bayern face Freiburg
League leaders FC Bayern München head to SC Freiburg for their first fixture of 2017 and the final game of the first half of the season (kick-off 20:30CET/19:30GMT).
Freiburg ended 2016 with a four-game unbeaten run, including a 2-1 win at FC Ingolstadt 04 on Matchday 16. However, their opponents come from the other end of the table and are a side the Black Forest outfit have beaten just once in their last 24 top-fight meetings. However, that victory did come last time the sides faced each other on Matchday 33 of the 2014/15 season. Christian Streich’s side will be looking to make home advantage count as they have already done this season, with five wins in their seven league matches at the Schwarzwald-Stadion.
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A point will be enough for Bayern to secure the Herbstmeisterschaft and become winter champions for the 22nd time in their 52nd top-flight campaign. However, the record champions will also be aiming to put pressure on the chasing pack with a win to extend their lead over RB Leipzig, whom they beat 3-0 in the final game of 2016. The Bavarians begin the year on a five-game Bundesliga winning streak, having scored 14 goals and conceded just two in that period. They will, however, be without key midfielder Thiago after the Spain international picked up a thigh injury during the winter training camp in Qatar.
The Venue - Schwarzwald-Stadion
Head here for team news and possible line-ups!