With Bayern Munich and Union Berlin locked on 43 points at the summit of the Bundesliga table, Sunday’s showdown at the Allianz Arena is destined to have a big impact on the title race.

Remarkably, Borussia Dortmund are sandwiched between table-topping Bayern and third-placed Union, with only five points separating the top six teams in the division.

Having won each of the previous 10 Bundesliga titles, Bayern Munich’s domination of German football has left other clubs with very little hope of success in recent years, but the perennial champions have not had it all their own way this season.

Granted, Bayern find themselves in a familiar position after 21 games, with the other 17 teams sitting below them in the standings, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side are by no means running away with the title.

Not only are Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin on the same number of points as Bayern, but Freiburg, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are also within touching distance of the frontrunners, making for a thrilling title race.

Manager Julian Nagelsmann will be eyeing Bayern Munich’s crunch clash against Union Berlin as the perfect chance to answer his growing number of critics. The 35-year old has come under increased pressure of late thanks to a run of two wins in six league matches since the winter break (D3, L1), with tensions heightened by a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend.

That was just a second Bundesliga loss of the season for FCB, who still finished matchday 21 top of the table on goal difference, and recently beat PSG 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.

That hasn’t stopped speculation over Nagelsmann’s future from mounting, although Bayern are in no hurry to replace the man who guided them to the title last season, with “irritated” sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić insisting “all discussions are unnecessary.”

Visitors Union Berlin are the German top flight’s surprise package and will be looking to cash in on the unrest, as they arrive at the Allianz Arena looking to pick up a victory that would lift them above the Bavarians in the table. The Iron Ones will have to make history for that to happen though, as they have never won in seven previous H2H meetings between the two sides (D3, L4).

Urs Fischer’s side make the trip to Munich full of confidence though, having dumped Ajax out of the Europa League with a 3-1 victory on Thursday, extending their unbeaten record to nine matches across all competitions (W7, D2).

They have also been in superb form on the road, with wins at Werder Bremen, Hertha Berlin and RB Leipzig meaning they sit on the cusp of a fourth straight away Bundesliga victory for the first time.

Key battle: Bayern’s top marksman Jamal Musiala has never lost a Bundesliga game in which he has scored (W16, D3). He’ll be looking to get the better of Union Berlin defender Robin Knoche, who has never kept a clean sheet in 18 meetings with FCB (W1, D3, L14).

Hot stat: Bayern’s Bundesliga matches this season have averaged a league high of 3.9 goals per game.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

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Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

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Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

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Union Berlin form (all competitions):

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Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Cancelo, De Ligt, Pavard, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Musiala, Sane; Choupo-Moting

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Jaeckel, Leite, Knoche; Juranovic, Haberer, Laidouni, Khedira, Trimmel; Siebatcheu, Becker

Having won each of the previous 10 Bundesliga titles, Bayern Munich’s domination of German football has left other clubs with very little hope of success in recent years, but the perennial champions have not had it all their own way this season.

Granted, Bayern find themselves in a familiar position after 21 games, with the other 17 teams sitting below them in the standings, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side are by no means running away with the title.

Not only are Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin on the same number of points as Bayern, but Freiburg, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are also within touching distance of the frontrunners, making for a thrilling title race.