With the second half of the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season now underway, things are starting to heat up in the title race. Both Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig won their year-openers, meaning that there still remains a three point gap bewteen the Bavarian titans and this season's surprise packages. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim continue to fare well, whilst Dortmund are battling to secure a top four-spot.
Facts and Stats ahead of Bundesliga Matchday 18
Here are five things you may or may not know ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures starting Friday:
Bundesliga Matchday 18 - U.S. viewing schedule
Below is the full U.S. schedule for round 18 of Bundesliga action starting Friday:
Jan. 27: Schalke 04 vs Eintracht Frankfurt on Fox Sports GO, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA , Fox Deportes at 11:30 AM PST/2:30 PM EST
Jan. 28: Darmstadt 98 vs Köln on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 28: Ingolstadt vs Hamburger SV on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 28: RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 28: Werder Bremen vs Bayern München on GOLTV USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, GolTV Espanol at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 28: Wolfsburg vs Augsburg on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 28: Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia M'gladbach on Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Deportes at 9:30 AM PST/12:30 PM EST
Jan. 29: Freiburg vs Hertha BSC on Fox Soccer 2GO USA, GOLTV USA, Fox Soccer Plus, GolTV Espanol at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Jan. 29: Mainz 05 vs Borussia Dortmund on Fox Soccer 2GO USA, GOLTV USA, Fox Soccer Plus, GolTV Espanol at 8:30 AM PST/11:30 AM EST
*For more information, please navigate to each match's specific page
Bundesliga - Matchday 18 overview
Bayern Munich continued their solid record against Freiburg, but it was far from a stellar showing from Carlo Ancelotti's side. Die Roten needed a brace from Robert Lewandowski to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win, and the Italian tactician will be expecting better performances from his side as the second half of the season progresses. The reigning champs sit three points clear of the rest of the table, but with RB Leipzig keen on keeping pace, Bayern will be feeling a spot of pressure as they travel to take on Werder Bremen on Saturday. Fortunately for the Bavarian titans, Bremen have been absolutely poor this term and unless if they improve - quickly - they could be sucked into the dreaded relegation battle.
As for Leipzig, they earned a much more convincing 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Die Bullen, who were founded in 2009, are not going away without a fight and will be looking to push Bayern all the way to the end of this campaign. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim continue to perform solidly. Julian Naglesmann's side are the only unbeaten team across Europe's "Big 5" leagues. Although they have more draws (10) than wins (7), they sit in a very impressive third spot, but it is way too early to start speculating if they will be able to actually finish this season sans defeat.
By the way, no German team has ever completed a Bundesliga campaign without a loss. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are slowly trying to work their way into the top three. Die Schwarzgelben are just one point behind Hoffenheim, but eight and 11 behind Leipzig and Bayern as this title race looks increasingly likely to be a two-party affair. Dortmund will wrap up matchday 18 with a road fixture against current coach Thomas Tuchel's former side Mainz on Sunday.
Bundesliga - Matchday 18 standings
Here's how things stand so far after 17 rounds in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season. How will it look after matchday 18 concludes?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayer Leverkusen | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 20 | +55 | 80 | DWWWW | |
| 2 | Bayern München | 30 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 87 | 37 | +50 | 66 | WWLLW | |
| 3 | Stuttgart | 30 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 68 | 36 | +32 | 63 | LWWDW | |
| 4 | RB Leipzig | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 59 | WWWDW | |
| 5 | Borussia Dortmund | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 58 | 35 | +23 | 57 | DWLWW | |
| 6 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 30 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 40 | +6 | 45 | WLDDL | |
| 7 | Freiburg | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 40 | DWLWL | |
| 8 | Augsburg | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 48 | 49 | -1 | 39 | LWLDW | |
| 9 | Hoffenheim | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 39 | WLWLL | |
| 10 | Heidenheim | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 43 | 52 | -9 | 34 | LDWDD | |
| 11 | Werder Bremen | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 38 | 50 | -12 | 34 | WLDLL | |
| 12 | Borussia M'gladbach | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 31 | LLWLD | |
| 13 | Wolfsburg | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 35 | 50 | -15 | 31 | WLLWL | |
| 14 | Union Berlin | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 26 | 50 | -24 | 29 | LLLDW | |
| 15 | Mainz 05 | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 27 | DWWDW | |
| 16 | Bochum | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 27 | LDLDL | |
| 17 | Köln | 30 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 23 | 53 | -30 | 22 | LLWDL | |
| 18 | Darmstadt 98 | 30 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 72 | -42 | 17 | WLLDL |
