Bayern Munich: Difficult December schedule awaits in the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich’s next four Bundesliga fixtures will put them to the test.

At the end of November Bayern Munich finds themselves atop the Bundesliga table. Despite dropping points in two matches thus far, Die Roten have been able to benefit from other top clubs experiencing issues with winning consistently. A loss against Hoffenheim and a draw against Werder Bremen have so far been the only two blemishes on Bayern’s record in the German top flight. However, this record will be put to the test in the coming weeks.

December will feature a very difficult schedule in the Bundesliga for Bayern. It could prove to be a vital stretch of the season in the quest for another title. The four opponents who await in the final month of 2020 are RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, Wolfsburg, and Bayer Leverkusen. All four of these clubs are in the top six after matchday nine. For this reason, Bayern are going to face a massive test with this tough schedule of consecutive matches against the clubs who have emerged as early contenders for the top four places.

Tough competition

Bayern’s opponents during December will feature some of the best defensive clubs in the Bundesliga. Leipzig leads the league with the fewest goals conceded with six goals allowed so far. Wolfsburg is another club that has done very well defensively with only eight goals allowed through matchday nine. Both of these clubs will certainly test Bayern’s attackers when they meet.

Union Berlin has been the surprise package of the four clubs Bayern will face in December. After a mid-table finish in the 2019/20 campaign, the club from the capital city has emerged as a contender for the European places. They have been very good offensively with 21 goals scored in nine matches. With just one loss so far, Union Berlin has proven to be a difficult club to earn all three points against. Bayern will face a tough test away from home when they visit Berlin.

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Bayer Leverkusen has started well in their quest to return to the Champions League next season. After just missing out on qualification for the premier European competition during the 2019/20 campaign, they have found good form to occupy one of the top spots in the Bundesliga entering December.  Despite losing Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland during the summer transfer window, Leverkusen has been terrific in the attack this season. Leverkusen has scored at least four goals in three of their four matches in the Europa League group stage. The sample size is small, but this Leverkusen side is looking strong this season.

An opportunity to create a gap

Bayern has a real opportunity to create separation in the race for the Bundesliga title during December. With just a two-point lead over Leipzig entering matchday 10, a victory against Die Roten Bullen would give Bayern room to work with entering the remaining fixtures of the month. They could afford to drop points in at least one match during December and wouldn’t have to worry about losing their lead at the top. Based on the performances so far this season, there’s a possibility Bayern will not win all four of these fixtures.

On a positive note, now that Bayern has secured a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds and will top their group, they can shift their focus back to the domestic league. Hansi Flick will have the luxury of not needing to win the remaining matches of the Champions League group stages. As a result, Bayern’s upcoming Champions League fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow will offer the opportunity for the younger players and new arrivals to feature. With injuries beginning to become an issue, this will be a welcome situation for the defending champions.

If Bayern are able to win all four of these fixtures during December it will put them at a massive advantage in the race for the Bundesliga title. They could see their lead extend over the other clubs in the hunt and really put the pressure on their closest rivals entering the 2021 portion of the season. This would be the best scenario but it is going to be very difficult to achieve this. However, if they are able to take four wins from these four matches they will clearly be the deserved leaders of the Bundesliga entering January.