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Eintracht Frankfurt continued their bid for UEFA Champions League football next season with a 3-2 win away to Greuther Fuerth.
In a battle of the top two clubs from last season's Bundesliga 2, Frankfurt defeated the reigning second-tier champions thanks to a man-of-the-match performance from Alexander Meier.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder set up Frankfurt's first goal and scored the third as Frankfurt picked up their first Bundesliga victory in six matches.
After Nikola Durdic put Greuther in front in just the second minute on Sunday, the visitors hit back 10 minutes later through Takashi Inui.
The 24-year-old Japanese winger received Meier's pass on the left of the penalty box, cut back onto his right boot and smashed the ball past Greuther goalkeeper Max Gruen.
Frankfurt were in front in the 58th minute when a left-wing cross made it all the way to Stefan Aigner at the back post and his strike was deflected into the net.
Frankfurt were cruising 10 minutes later when Meier got onto the scoresheet with a fine strike from the edge of the area for his 12th goal of the season but Greuther ensured a nervous finish to the game after Sercan Sararer scored in the 72nd minute.
The hosts hit the post soon after but Frankfurt held on to regain fifth position in the Bundesliga ahead of Mainz.
Frankfurt have 42 points from 27 games, the same as fourth-placed Schalke but are behind on goals scored, while Mainz and Freiburg, who are sixth and seventh respectively, both have 39 points.
Fourth place in the Bundesliga comes with a spot in the qualifying rounds of next season's Champions League.
In the other Bundesliga match on Sunday, Nuremburg scored twice in five second-half minutes to claim a 2-2 draw at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg led early through Diego's third-minute goal and were two goals up at half-time thanks to Ivica Olic's strike just before the half-hour mark.
But Nuremburg extended their unbeaten run to eight games thanks to goals from Timmy Simons (61st minute) and Per Nilsson (66th minute).
Isco is a genius, says Reus The Borussia Dortmund ace has voiced his admiration for the gifted youngster, and has stressed that Malaga will not be pushovers in their Champions League last-eight encounter
Robben: Bayern will challenge Barcelona & Madrid for Champions League glory The Dutchman is rather optimistic about his side's chances in Europe, and has insisted that he has no intention of leaving die Roten this summer
'Dortmund can win Champions League' - Reus The 23-year-old believes BVB are capable of lifting the famous trophy and praised their performances in the tournament so far
Khedira: Success of Bundesliga sides in Europe no coincidence The midfielder has credited the resurgence of German clubs in the competition to the quality of academies in his homeland
Bender and Subotic slam heavy-handed Stuttgart The pair were far from impressed with the game-plan of the home side, while former BVB player Michael Zorc defended the performance of the referee
I'm back in top form, claims Robben The winger believes he is playing his best football again after a difficult few months, while Xherdan Shaqiri puts the Bavarians' success down to effective squad rotation
Four-goal Pizarro revels in Hamburg rout The Peruvian was evidently heartened with his outstanding display in the mauling of Hamburg, as die Roten inch closer to securing the title
Klopp slams 'brutal' Stuttgart The Borussia Dortmund coach admits he "feared there would be more injuries" to his team after Marcel Schmelzer limped off early in the first half
Reus: It's great fun to play alongside Gotze The young German has heaped praise on his BVB team-mate, and revealed that playing in the Champions League this season has fulfilled a lifelong dream
Heynckes: Neuer's blunder has been forgotten The Bayern Munich coach has claimed that the goalkeeper's horrendous error against Kazakhstan for Germany has been forgotten by the player, claiming that it was a one off error
Agent: Damiao open to Napoli move The Brazil international seems almost certain to join a top European side this season, with the Partenopei, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur all seemingly interested
Beck calls on Hoffenheim to fight for survival The 26-year-old has urged his team-mates to unite in their battle to beat the drop from the Bundesliga, but concedes the odds are against them
Voller: Bayern can win the Champions League The Leverkusen director feels the Bavarian giants could go all the way in Europe, and is not surprised by their domestic dominance
Herrmann will not leave in summer, says Gladbach sporting director The Gladbach sporting director says that the German international will not be leaving the club, especially as the side is moving in the right direction
Markus Gisdol returns to Hoffenheim, whose reserve team he coached between 2009 and 2011
Sinsheim - 1899 Hoffenheim have reacted to their worrying league form by replacing coach Marco Kurz and sporting director Andreas Müller with Markus Gisdol with immediate effect.
Gisdol, whose last job was as assistant to Huub Stevens at FC Schalke 04, previously coached Hoffenheim’s reserve team. According to a club statement, the 43-year-old has been given the responsibility of “rebuilding the club in the current season and beyond.”
Poor record under Kurz
Hoffenheim will explain the change in command at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon having relieved Kurz, Müller and assistant coach Günther Gorenzel of their duties. Kurz only took charge at the club at the start of the year following the dismissal of Markus Babbel.
His record of just two wins in 10 matches, with a total of eight points gained, has left the club in serious relegation danger. They find themselves nine points adrift of safety and four behind FC Augsburg in the relegation play-off berth with seven games of the season remaining.
Markus Wisdol has a job on his hands to save Hoffenheim from relegation, but his previous connection to the club should stand him in good stead
Sinsheim - 1899 Hoffenheim have turned to Markus Gisdol in a bid to prolong their five-year permanence in the Bundesliga, dropping the experienced approach of Markus Kurz and entering uncharted waters with the hitherto untested head coach.
Gisdol is a familiar face in Sinsheim having coached the reserve team between 2009 and 2011. His close collaboration with former Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick led to him following his former peer to FC Schalke 04, where he also worked under his successor Huub Stevens before being relieved of his duties, along with the Dutchman, last December.
Back to tradition
His appointment is also a return to the traditions and values that had accompanied Hoffenheim on their rise from the lower leagues into the top flight - the focus on developing youth and home-grown talent. That now applies to the man in charge as much as it does to the players with 43-year-old Gisdol given free rein to “rebuild a side for the remainder of this season and beyond”.
He becomes the club’s seventh coach in the past 27 months, the fourth this term alone, and he is empowered with the responsibility of ending a run of eight points from the last ten league matches and keeping the Baden-Württemberg side's Bundesliga status intact. Renowned for his tactical acumen which made him more than just the right-hand man for Rangnick and Stevens, Gisdol now calls the shots at a top-flight club for the first time.
Knows the Hoffenheim way
At Wisdol’s unveiling, 1899 chief executive Frank Briel referred to the need for the club to "start afresh, with someone who knows Hoffenheim and is familiar of what the club stands for.” Wisdol’s past connection to the Sinsheim club, it is hoped, will help bring about a speedy turnaround of the team’s fortunes. Trailing FC Augsburg in the relegation play-off place by four points with seven games remaining, the new man must hit the ground running.
Wisdol himself took a pragmatic approach to the challenge awaiting him, commenting: “We have a realistic chance of survival." It was also revealed that his contract will run continue to run should the club be relegated, and that a contingency plan is in place. “In the summer, we’ll leave no stone unturned in making changes to the club.”
Hoffenheim gave their prospects of avoiding relegation a boost with a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Fortuna Dusseldorf on Friday.
Entering the weekend second last on the Bundesliga table and still nine points from safety and four off the relegation play-off spot, Hoffenheim were desperate for a win in new coach Markus Gisdol's first match at the helm.
They made an excellent start to proceedings, with Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino giving them the lead 11 minutes in, and they led by that goal at half-time.
They had to wait until the 75th minute to extend their lead, thanks to an Andreas Lambertz own goal, and Kevin Volland completed the scoring in the 94th minute, much to the delight of those in attendance at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
The result lifted Hoffenheim to within one point of 16th-placed Augsburg, who occupy the relegation play-off position, and they closed to within six points of Dusseldorf, who are 15th.
Nuremberg continued their good form by claiming a surprise 2-1 win over Europa League hopefuls Mainz on Sunday.
Swedish defender Per Nilsson starred for Nuremberg with an unlikely brace as the hosts leapfrogged Hamburg into 10th position on the Bundesliga table, while extending their unbeaten run to nine games.
The defeat was a blow for Mainz, who were looking to consolidate sixth position but will instead end the weekend in eighth, three points adrift of the Europa League spots.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Nuremberg hit the front against the run of play through Nilsson, who guided his header into the net nine minutes into the second half.
However, Mainz were finally rewarded for their persistence with an equaliser just six minutes later.
Nicolai Muller got on the end of a long ball and chipped his effort over oncoming goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer.
Mainz remained on level terms for only nine minutes after Nilsson popped up at the back post to bag his second of the match.
In Sunday's other result, ninth-placed Hannover were held to a goalless draw by strugglers Stuttgart at AWD Arena.
Chances were few and far between during the first half and while the visitors had their moments in the second stanza, sound defending from Mirko Slomka's men and an in-form Ron-Robert Zieler prevented Stuttgart from scoring.
Hannover have no chance at Europe, says Slomka
The German side's boss has dismissed his team's chances of achieving European qualification after their goalless draw on Sunday
'Bayern will try to win everything' - Hoeness
The Roten president has vowed that his side will not rest on their laurels after their Bundesliga triumph was confirmed on Saturday
Watzke: Dortmund back among the elite
The BVB CEO feels his side have announced themselves to the world after being "finished" less than a decade ago
Kehl: Bayern deserve Bundesliga title
The holding midfielder has admitted FCB deservedly dethroned Dortmund and hopes to take on their Bundesliga rivals in the Champions League final
Hunt: Bremen must replace De Bruyne
The 26-year-old has urged his side not to dwell on the impending departure of the Belgian, who has shone during his loan at the Weserstadion
Bayer have power over Chelsea in Schurrle deal, says Voller
The German side's sporting director admits there has been interest for the Bundesliga team's attacker but says the side will only let him leave on their terms
Bayern Munich will get even better under Guardiola, says Netzer
The former Borussia Monchengladbach star has urged the newly crowned Bundesliga champions to continue their development once their new coach arrives at the end of the season
Bayern are back where they belong at the top of German football
The brilliant Bavarians have secured the title well before the end of the season, and have now returned to their rightful place at the summit of the Bundesliga
Next up for Bayern is the Champions League crown, says Hoeness
The official has not restricted die Roten's ambitions to merely winning the Bundesliga and regards becoming European champions as the ultimate prize
Bayern could break history this season, says Klopp
The 45-year-old showered unprecedented praise on the new German champions, after die Roten lifted the league crown on Saturday
Robben: Bayern can win the treble
The Dutchman dreams of winning each competition the Bavarians take part in this term and is optimistic about his future at the club
Bayern won't always play world-class football, warns Sammer
The FCB sporting director has stressed that it will be nearly impossible for the Bundesliga leaders to play consistently at their highest level
Ribery should control his temper - Heynckes
The Bayern boss has admitted that the Frenchman's foul on Arturo Vidal was over the top, though he added that the Chilean played his part in the incident
Hamburg fans to be treated to a barbecue following Bayern thrashing
The club is to invite supporters to a gathering on April 21, with beer and bratwurst to be provided as an apology for the embarrassing defeat at the Allianz Arena
Heynckes encourages Bayern to celebrate Bundesliga success
The Roten coach has insisted that nothing is won yet, despite still being in the running for a treble this season, and warned his team not to "dream" they have already won trophies
Guardiola's first Bayern game announced
The successful trainer will take charge of the Bundesliga powerhouse for the first time in a friendly against Hansa Rostock in July
Bayern exit likely, says Tymoshchuk
The veteran midfielder has admitted that his spell with the Bundesliga giants is set to come to an end this summer when his contract expires
Weiser: Moving to Bayern was not a mistake
The 18-year-old insists he has learned a lot since moving to the Allianz Arena last summer, despite having spent a significant period on loan at Kaiserslautern
Alaba one of best left-backs in the world, says Sammer
The young wing-back has earned plaudits from the Bayern chief as well as their coach following his fine displays in recent months
The Bavarians' 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday has handed them the 23rd championship in their history
Bayern Munich have sealed their 23rd Bundesliga title following their 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank Arena on Saturday.
Jupp Henyckes' side went into the game needing to match or better Borussia Dortmund's result against Augsburg and Bastian Schweinsteiger's second-half strike was all they needed to seal all three points.
The Bavarians have topped the table since the opening day of the season, and have wrapped up the league crown earlier than any other team in history, beating their own record of matchday 30 by two matches.
"I'm extremely delighted of course. It's a very emotional moment," Heynckes told Sky.
"I told my players in the briefing that my first title as a player was the most emotional moment in my career.
"We have nine players in the squad who secured their first Bundesliga. It was extremely difficult to perform today after the tough encounter against Juventus.
"But the players fought hard and were certainly a little bit lucky to have won the game at the end of the day."
"My first title as a player was the most emotional moment in my career. We have nine players who secured their first Bundesliga"
- Jupp Heynckes
Captain Philipp Lahm added: "We've been talking about the championship for a long time and we're very happy to have finally secured it.
"Today, we were eager to win and continue our streak, winning the consecutive 11th match of the second half of the season.
"Of course we will open a few bottles of beer today, but we also have to set our sights on the next challenges. On Wednesday, we want to reach the next round of the Champions League.
"If you look at the statistics, we work better defensively now and played a lot of matches to nil. Furthermore, we had a good run with winning a lot of important matches.
"At the end, we deservedly top the Bundesliga table."
Jupp Heynckes' side have set a host of records en route to the title, including the number of away wins, while they are on course to smash Dortmund's record points total of 81 set last year.
They need just two wins from their remaining five games to beat their own best-ever tally of 25 victories in a season, and are currently beating the highest-ever goal difference of 64, which they themselves achieved in 1972-73.
Due to their ongoing commitments in the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal, Bayern's management have delayed any celebrations until their final home game of the season, against Augsburg on May 11.
The successful coach takes charge of the Bundesliga leaders after the end of the season and will meet his former employers in the Uli Hoeness cup
Bayern Munich have announced that they will take on new head coach Pep Guardiola's former club Barcelona in a friendly game on July 24.
The Bavarians will start the 2013-14 campaign with a training camp in Trentino from July 4 until July 12, before taking on SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach in their first game under Guardiola.
Hansa Rostock announced on Friday that they would be Bayern's opponents in their first game under Guardiola, but it's now been revealed that the match against the 3. Bundesliga side is scheduled one day after the Bavarians' season opener against Grossaspach.
Bayern will then take on rivals Borussia Dortmund for the Telekom cup on July 20, with another Telekom cup match scheduled for the following day.
They end their July program with the Uli Hoeness cup match versus Barca on the 24th.
His team-mates wanted to take the Frenchman out for dinner on Sunday evening but Matthias Sammer and Jupp Heynckes ordered them to postpone the event
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer and head coach Jupp Heynckes have postponed Franck Ribery's birthday celebrations until after this week's Champions League match against Juventus.
The France international turned 30 on Sunday and his team-mates had planned to throw the attacker a surprise party at Italian restaurant Hugo's in the evening.
Captain Philipp Lahm informed the club about the team's plans in advance, as is customary for these kinds of events, yet Sammer and Heynckes decided against giving permission as they want Bayern to focus on the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Juventus instead.
The Bavarians already kept celebrations to a minimum after they secured the Bundesliga title at the weekend and they are wary of any distractions ahead of Wednesday's match in Turin.
"Postponing any celebrations also characterises a champion. It's a pleasure, but we cannot afford to get ahead of ourselves," Sammer told Bild.
"Juventus won the Serie A title in 1997 and then celebrated their success. Borussia Dortmund would not have won the Champions League otherwise."
Bayern will defend a 2-0 lead from the first leg at the Juventus Stadium.
The 43-year-old expects the gap between the division's top clubs and the rest of the league to widen over the next few years
Oliver Kahn believes that the Bundesliga is in danger of becoming a boring competition due to the dominance of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern were crowned German champions on Saturday with six more games to go, following BVB's league success over the past two years and Kahn fears that the gap between the top teams and the other sides will only grow bigger in the next few years.
"One of football's most attractive elements is the unpredictability of results. The tension and excitement about how a game will pan out fascinates all of us. Without this element, football is much less attractive," Kahn wrote in his column for Bild.
"However, the gap between the top, formed by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and the other teams could increase even further in the future.
"The current structure in the Bundesliga only keeps the current balance of power in place. A greater emphasis on market openness, transparency and competition could lead to fresh impulses without losing the identity of football."
Bayern hold a 20-point lead over Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, with third-placed Bayer Leverkusen 26 points off the pace.
Hummels open to Barcelona summer switch
The Germany international is happy with life at his current club but would be interested in a move to Camp Nou if the Catalans were to make an approach
Money, money, money: Bayern earned €128m more than Juventus in the last year
Apr 10, 2013 9:00:00 AM
The gap that divides the Italian champions and FC Hollywood on the football pitch is reflected on the balance sheet, with the German side making massive amounts in comparison
By Andrea Ghislandi
The massive hit-single 'Money Money Money' by Abba included a lyric which suggested it is a rich man's world and that certainly seemed to be borne out last week as Bayern Munich overcame Juventus 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Juve coach Antonio Conte was quick to point out the difference between the two clubs economically after the game as the media asked him to explain why there had been such a gulf displayed over the 90 minutes.
"Bayern spent €48 million on one player, Javi Martinez, and there ends every conversation..." said the Bianconeri boss. "They spend money, and we see the difference it makes. There are not enough buckets and spades to build a squad like that."
Such words will have made president Andrea Agnelli and director general Giuseppe Marotta somewhat twitchy, but they have really taken the right road in their bid to stand the Old Lady back on her feet. Still, they remain a long way from being a top club like Bayern, who have become a model of virtuosity, ending the last 12 financial years in profit. Juve, therefore, were not just beaten over 90 minutes. Instead it was a defeat that had been a long time in coming thanks to the comparative balance sheets.
Let us compare the financial statements of the two clubs for season 2011-12.
'The Premier League is only the best league in Asia' - Breitner
By Ian Capasso
Apr 10, 2013 3:35:00 PM
The German has launched a scathing attack on English football, saying it has ceased developing in recent years compared to the Bundesliga
Former Bayern Munich player and pundit Paul Breitner has slammed the Premier League and believes the Bundesliga has overtaken it to become the world's leading championship.
The 61-year-old ex-West Germany international, no stranger to controversy, has labelled the English top-flight as stagnant and concerned only with marketability.
With no English involvement in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but the possibility of two German representatives, Breitner is adamant that the Bundesliga is now the best league in the world.
"The Premier League used to be the best national league in the world until 2009," Breitner told ESPN's Bola da Vez in Brazil. "The Premier League is now only the best league in Asia.
"Which English team is still in the Champions League? None. That's because they have stopped improving, they have stopped developing their league a few years ago.
"They sat on top of the money and they said 'That's it'. They don't think about which players they could take there in order to improve their teams and the level of their football. They only want players with a name, to catch attention.
"The Premier League is out, totally out. The Bundesliga is now the best league in the world."
Breitner also lauded the competitiveness of the Bundesliga and praised the German football experience, ridiculing the stadia of England, Spain and Italy.
"If we talk about the Premier League, we talk about the big four," he continued. "Now, without Liverpool, it's the big three. In Spain, you have the big two. In the Bundesliga, we have the big two, but our other teams are in a great international level.
"This is all part of the development of the German football as a whole. And we're going to keep getting better and better, because of how we sell football.
"Starting with our stadiums. We have the best, most moderns, most comfortable arenas in the world. Go to England... It's laughable. Go to Spain... Laughable. Go to Italy... Oh my God!
"We knew, since 2006, that we'd need to do a lot to improve our football. Now every stadium is full, every match is sold out. And this will only improve."
Fink names Van der Vaart new captain
The Hamburg boss has named the Holland international his new skipper after relieving previous incumbent Heiko Westermann of his duties
Bundesliga preview: Leverkusen lead race for fourth
11 April 2013
Bayer Leverkusen can increase their hold on an automatic UEFA Champions League qualifying berth when they travel to Schalke on Saturday.
Leverkusen, who sit third in the Bundesliga on 49 points, will increase their lead over fourth-placed Schalke (45 points) to seven points if they can win at Veltins-Arena for the fourth time in seven games.
With five games left this season in Germany's top flight after this weekend, Leverkusen would be odds-on favourites to hold onto third position and qualify for the 2013/14 Champions League.
Schalke's Veltins-Arena should hold no fear for Leverkusen, who have only lost one of their past seven games there, with that defeat coming in March last year when the home side won 2-0.
The hosts will still be a tough challenge for Sascha Lewandowski's team, however, as Schalke have won their past three games at home, including a 2-1 triumph over archrivals Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski may be concerned by his team's poor form heading into Saturday's clash - Bayer have won just two of their past seven matches in all competitions.
If Schalke lose it will open the door for Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Moenchengladbach to make a move toward fourth spot on the Bundesliga table and a berth in the qualifying playoffs for next season's Champions League.
Freiburg (42 points), who sit fifth, host Hannover on Friday, while Eintracht (42) will travel to lowly Augsburg on Sunday just after Gladbach (41) take on Stuttgart.
Having wrapped up the Bundesliga title last week, Bayern Munich will hope to celebrate their achievement with a victory over Nuremburg on Saturday.
At the other end of the table, Fortuna Duesseldorf will host Werder Bremen in a crucial match in the Bundesliga's relegation battle.
Fortuna (29 points) sit 15th, just above the relegation playoff spot, while Bremen are two points ahead in 16th.
The winners at Duesseldorf's ESPRIT Arena would take a significant step towards survival, while bottom club Greuther Fuerth could have another nail put in their top-flight coffin if they lose to second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
In other Bundesliga fixtures, Wolfsburg will take on Hoffenheim and Mainz will host Hamburg.
Diego aware of Atletico Madrid 'contact' The Brazilian midfielder understands there has been interest from the club where he spent last season on loan
Van der Vaart: I’m not playing well Despite being made captain of his side, the Dutchman is under no illusions about his current poor form
Sammer keen to extend Kroos and Alaba contracts The sporting director wants to begin talks with the two players during the summer, despite their respective deals expiring in 2015
Official: Borussia Monchengladbach sign Max Kruse The versatile attacker will join the Fohlen in the summer transfer window after agreeing a four-year deal with his new club
Arsenal & Manchester City in race to sign Dortmund star Gotze The 20-year-old Germany international, who has a €40 million release clause, continues to be monitored by the Premier League duo this season
Mandzukic believes Bayern can win "everything" this season The Croatia international is full of ambition for the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign and wants to win each competition that FCB feature in
Heynckes: Bayern too sloppy early on The experienced coach feels the Roten lacked focus in the opening stages of the game and has set his sights on more silverware this season
German Football League consider scrapping summer break
By Joe Wright
Apr 11, 2013 6:15:00 PM
DFL managing director Andreas Rettig confirms the notion is being discussed ahead of the possible winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022
The German Football League (DFL) is considering the possibility of scrapping the summer break, according to managing director Andreas Rettig.
The notion of abolishing the summer hiatus was first discussed in March at a meeting of Bundesliga coaches, and Rettig has now confirmed they are continuing to debate the topic as they look to prepare for a possible winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
"We are discussing the subject very openly," he told Die Welt. "In the end, it also depends on how Fifa finally decided the debate on the relocation of the World Cup in Qatar from summer to winter. Should this happen, it would of course have a great impact on our discussion."
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already backed the idea, insisting it would be wise to take advantage of the better weather conditions in the summer.
"From May to August is when we do not play football in Germany, although in these months we have the best weather," he said. "I thought we had better take a break when the weather is bad here. This could be an advantage.
"I can see this model is an opportunity for the Bundesliga."
Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf also feels the summer weather should be utilised, but believes abolishing the break entirely would not be a wise course of action.
"We should not abolish the summer break, but find a different rhythm," he added.
"We have the best conditions in the summer. We need to use it better. Therefore a procedure would have to be worked out. "
Bayern Munich may have already clinched the Bundesliga title but there is still plenty to play for as the season draws to a close.
Jupp Heynckes' men were confirmed German league champions with six games to spare when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt a fortnight ago.
Since then, Bayern maintained their treble challenge with success in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal.
And while the Bundesliga has already been sealed, Bayern will want to maintain their good form at 10th-placed Hannover on Saturday, ahead of next week's mammoth Champions League semi-final showdown with Barcelona.
Bayern, who have collected 78 points from a possible 87 this season, have won eight games on the bounce away from home, a run that has seen just one goal conceded.
But the Munich-base outfit will be facing a team on the cusp of Europa League qualification, with just four points separating them from the final qualification spot, and a side unbeaten in seven games at home.
Former Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund face a similar challenge when they host Mainz on Saturday.
Dortmund occupy second position in the standings but will use this weekend's clash as preparation for their upcoming Champions League tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
In other fixtures across the weekend, third-placed Bayer Leverkusen will look to extend their advantage when they welcome lowly Hoffenheim to BayArena on Saturday.
Leverkusen have enjoyed another productive season and sit four points clear of Champions League rivals Schalke, who make the difficult trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Relegation-threatened Augsburg, who stunned Frankfurt last week, take on Borussia Moenchengladbach, while strugglers Fortuna Dusseldorf do battle with eighth-placed Hamburg.
Greuther Fuerth, who have all but been relegated to the second tier of German football, will look to give themselves a glimmer of hope away to Nuremberg, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg face off in the battle of the strugglers, while Stuttgart host Freiburg in a repeat of their DFB-Pokal midweek encounter.
