Nagelsmann introduces Coman and Gravenberch for Gnabry and Goretzka. Cologne also show two changes, with Ljubicic and Martel the fresh legs in midfield.

Skhiri's early goal has Cologne halfway to a famous victory. Bayern have been noticably off colour, but take nothing away from the visitors - they've been superb from back to front.

The ball is rolling at the Allianz Arena!

Bayern's lead at the top has been cut to three points, with Leipzig going second after trouncing Schalke. Frankfurt, a point back in third, go to Freiburg tomorrow before hosting the record champions on Saturday.

"The seven goals against Bremen give Köln confidence," warned Nagelsmann. "They're doing well. They play with intensity and are aggressive in their counter-pressing. They play in a very brave, open way. I like that, they want to play football."

"Even in Munich we want to play our brand of football," affirmed Baumgart at his pre-match press conference. "We want to be just as bold as in the other games and not just ride it out. With a good performance, we can get a good result."

'When doesn't it?', you might ask - but still... Cologne last beat Bayern on 5 February 2011 (coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2), and haven't won in Munich since 21 February 2009 (2-1), while Baumgart has lost all five of his previous meetings with Bayern as a coach, and is winless in four against Nagelsmann (D1, L3).

Nagelsmann keeps faith with the same side that drew with Leipzig, meaning Daley Blind and Thomas Müller have to settle for a place on the bench. As for Cologne, Ellyes Skhiri is passed fit to start in midfield. Mathias Olesen is preferred to Eric Martel, while Nikola Soldo replaces the unwell Timo Hübers in the centre of defence.

Sommer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich (c), Goretzka - Sane, Musiala, Gnabry - Choupo-Moting

Ulreich, Blind, Stanisic, Wanner, Sabitzer, Gravenberch, Coman, Müller, Tel

Schwäbe - Schmitz, Soldo, Chabot, Hector (c) - Huseinbasic, Skhiri - Maina, Olesen, Kainz - Tigges

Horn, Bakatukanda, Martel, Ljubicic, Schindler, Lemperle, Adamyan, Selke, Diehl

The Billy Goats may have to do without one of the chief architects of their brilliant win over Bremen: Skhiri, who went off with ankle trouble after his sensational volleyed goal. Visiting coach Baumgart is missing plenty of other players, including Kilian, Andersson and Uth, who just extended his contract until 2025. One man who's sure to feature, though, is striker Tigges, who caught the eye with his brace at the weekend.

The Bundesliga leaders are still without long-term absentees Mane, Sarr, Hernandez, Mazraoui and Neuer. Upamecano was forced to pull out of a recent training session with a toe problem, but should have recovered enough to partner De Ligt at centre-back. Further up the pitch, Nagelsmann is expected to deploy Sane, Müller, Coman and Choupo-Moting, although Musiala and Gnabry are top-notch alternatives.

He certainly won't feature tonight, but Bayern have been boosted by the news that Sadio Mane continues to recover from the leg injury he suffered against Bremen in early November. The Senegal star is running again and looks set to make his competitive comeback in February.

The Cologne fans enjoyed an intoxicating trip to their RheinEnergieSTADION this weekend, now they'll be hoping for another heady performance at the Allianz Arena, where they haven't won in the Bundesliga since February 2009.

Despite a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig in the first Bundesliga game of 2023, Bayern go into tonight's game with a five-point lead at the top of the table. The teams on their tail aren't exactly the usual suspects, either; Eintracht Frankfurt, Union Berlin and Freiburg, who all sit on 30 points. The Bavarian giants are currently six points clear of Leipzig and seven ahead of Borussia Dortmund, their closest challengers of recent campaigns.

One of the standout games of Matchday 17 sees red-hot Cologne, who put seven(!) past Werder Bremen on Saturday, travel to leaders Bayern Munich, who have netted 12 times in their last three Bundesliga home games against the Billy Goats. Goals guaranteed!