Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich will be without captain Philipp Lahm when they take on Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga this weekend as they try to continue their unbeaten league run.

Pep Guardiola's side have an unblemished record during their title defence so far having won eight and drawn three in the first 11 games of the campaign.

However, the German outfit are facing around three months without Lahm after the 31-year-old broke his ankle in training.

Despite the blow, Bayern have the likes of Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze among their ranks as they aim to stretch their unbeaten league run in 12 games.

Bayern have a four-point lead over Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga table, while Hoffenheim reside 10 points adrift of the leaders in fifth place.

Markus Gisdol's side had their nine-match unbeaten run come to an end earlier this month when Borussia Monchengladbach secured a 3-1 victory, and their luck failed to return the following week when they suffered a late 4-3 defeat to FC Koln.

Bayern will try to inflict some more pain on Hoffenheim this weekend, but the fifth-placed side held their own in this fixture last season by grabbing a 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena, ending Bayern's 100% record.

In terms of teams, Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino is likely to start following his recent joy in front of goal, while Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could start at the Allianz after returning to training following a knee problem.

Bayern Munich:

Form in Bundesliga: WWWDWW Form in all competitions: DWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Bernat; Schweinsteiger, Alonso; Gotze, Muller, Ribery; Lewandowski

Hoffenheim:

Form in Bundesliga: DWDWLL Form in all competitions: WDWWLL

Possible starting lineup: Baumann; Beck, Bicakcic, Sule, Strobl; Polanski, Schwegler, Firmino, Elyounoussi; Volland, Szalai

Sports Mole says: 2-0