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BUNDES LIGA: Bundesliga title is now Bayern Munich's to lose

More than a year after his return to coach Bayern Munich, Ottmar Hitzfeld takes the Bundesliga leaders to relegation-threatened Bayer Leverkusen knowing the title is now theirs to lose.

When Hitzfeld returned in January last year for his second spell in charge, Bayern were about to limp out of the Champions League and ultimately finished fourth last season -- their worst Bundesliga placing for more than 10 years.

"There was little self-confidence, too many errors in defense and too little creativity in midfield -- we had much work to do," Hitzfeld said.

But last summer's 69 million euro (US$108 million) spending spree has seen Bayern dominate the league since the opening day of the season, with world-class strikers Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose bagging 26 league goals already between them.

With nine games left, a seven-point gap at the top of the league and a goal difference of 29, the league title is Bayern Munich's to lose despite losing Turkey midfielder Halil Altintop for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Today's opponents Nuremberg are level on points with bottom side Duisburg and are locked in a desperate battle for points and survival.

But club manager Uli Hoeness has little regard for Bayern's struggling neighbors in the Bavarian derby.

"Nuremberg have had enough chances to pick up points this season," he said on Bayern's Web site. "We are trying to become German champions and have to take as many points as we can, when we can."

Meanwhile, second-placed Hamburg are at home to Arminia Bielefeld, but can ill-afford a slip with Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen all level on 44 points -- two behind them.

Third-placed Bayer are at home to mid-table Eintracht Frankfurt, while Werder Bremen are at home to bottom side Duisburg.

Fifth-placed Schalke 04 welcome back captain Marcelo Bordon and Mladen Krstajic from injury for their away trip to mid-table Karlsruhe today.

Further down the table, VfL Bochum take on Borussia Dortmund who are without Switzerland striker Alexander Frei who was injured in his country's 4-0 defeat by Germany on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, defending champions VfB Stuttgart will be hoping striker Mario Gomez continues his great form when they play Hanover.

And bottom three dwellers Energie Cottbus are at home to mid-table Hertha Berlin.
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