Bayern Munich do not know how to lose in the Bundesliga. That particular occurrence last came about 36 matches ago, and if the German champions defeat Bavarian rivals Augsburg on Saturday, Bayern will set a new Bundesliga record of 37 matches without defeat, just another milestone for this seemingly unstoppable side.
On paper, the result against Augsburg looks like a foregone conclusion, with Bayern also holding a remarkable record against Bavarian sides, having not lost to a team in the neighbourhood for nearly seven years - since February 2007, to be exact.
Sitting one point clear of Borussia Dortmund in the table, Bayern will know a slipup will not acceptable against Augsburg on Saturday. "The previous 36 matches will be worthless if we lose against Augsburg," Bayern manager Pep Guardiola said. "It'll have been all for nothing.
"They [Augsburg] play a lot of diagonal passes from the full-backs to the striker. They have very strong legs, they put in good crosses and they're very aggressive. We have to play well. If we do, we have a very good chance of winning. I'm sure we'll play well."
Augsburg are 13th in the 18-team Bundesliga table with 13 points from 11 matches, having won four games already, their best ever return at this stage of the season.
Manager Markus Weinzierl, a Bayern reserve player from 1995-99, insisted Augsburg, who defeated Mainz last week, would not come to the Allianz Arena prepared for a hiding.
"We're not just going to go there and park the bus. We'll dig as deep as we possibly can and see if we can cause a sensation," Weinzierl said.
"As usual we'll approach the game courageously, because we're not scared," striker Sascha Molders added.
Team News: Bayern have been dealt a blow after Bastian Schweinsteiger was ruled out for an indefinite period after being forced to undergo further surgery to his ankle. The German midfielder had surgery in June, but the problem has cropped up again and a second surgery was deemed necessary.
"I've repeatedly felt severe pain over the last few weeks," Schweinsteiger said. "I tried my best to keep going, but I've now come to a point where an operation can no longer be avoided. After the op, I hope I'll be able to play again completely free of pain."
Arjen Robben, though, returns from a groin problem, with Dante and Jerome Boateng also set to feature.
Augsburg will be without Panagiotis Vlachodimos, Raul Bobadila and Dominik Rheinhardt.
Key men: Bayern Munich: Robben will want to make an immediate impression on return from injury.
Augsburg: Halil Altintop's experience will be essential for the away side, if they are to find a way of getting anything out of the game.
Where to watch
The game is scheduled for an 8 pm IST start on Saturday night with live coverage on Neo Prime.
Expected lineups: Bayern Munich: Neuer, Rafinha, Dante, Boateng, Alaba, Lahm, Martinez, Kroos,
Robben, Muller, Ribery.
Augsburg: Hitz, Ostrzolek, Klavan, Callsen-Bracker, Verhaegh, Vogt, Werner, Baier, Altintop, Hahn, Molders.
Prediction: 2-0 to Bayern Munich
