Bayern aiming for another Bundesliga record

Bayern would become the first team to start the Bundesliga with nine victories if it wins on Saturday, while Bremen hope to avoid their fifth consecutive loss.

Robert Lewandowski has 12 goals in eight games - five more than the whole Bremen team.

The Bundesliga resumes after the international break with Bayern Munich looking unstoppable and Borussia Dortmund trying to bounce back after the side's comprehensive defeat to the league leader. Bayern can set another record by beating Werder Bremen on Saturday, while Dortmund face a tough game at Mainz on Friday.

Times have changed since Bremen and Bayern formed a rivalry so intense their meetings used to electrify the league. No other side has beaten Bayern as often (26 times), but the Bavarian powerhouse hasn't lost any of their last 15 competitive meetings since Bremen won 5-2 in Munich in 2008.

Bayern would become the first team to start the Bundesliga with nine victories if it wins on Saturday, while Bremen hope to avoid their fifth consecutive loss.

Robert Lewandowski has 12 goals in eight games - five more than the whole Bremen team - prompting speculation the Bayern striker could beat Gerd Mueller's record of 40 from the 1970-71 season.

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel returns to former side Mainz for the first time since taking a one-year sabbatical from football. His decision to leave the club after five seasons at the end of the 2013-14 season surprised Mainz, which refused to rescind the remaining year on his contract.

Tuchel's honeymoon period in charge of Dortmund is very much over. After his side started the season with 11 wins across all competitions, Dortmund drew two before being humbled 5-1 by Bayern last time out.

Bosnian forward Vedad Ibisevic's arrival from Stuttgart seems to have coaxed the best from Salomon Kalou. The strike duo has contributed seven of Hertha's 11 goals. Schalke slipped to a harsh 3-0 loss at Cologne before the international break as tiredness from six wins across all competitions took hold.

Wolfsburg have problems off the pitch - through main backer Volkswagen's emissions scandal - and on it, where the side hasn't won in three games ahead of the visit of Hoffenheim on Saturday. Last season's runner-ups, are currently ninth, already 12 points behind Bayern.

Stuttgart are backing coach Alexander Zorniger despite being bottom after starting with six defeats in eight games. They have been hit hard by the injury to top scorer Daniel Ginczek. The striker is out till the second half of the season at least after undergoing surgery on a slipped disc. Stuttgart host promoted Ingolstadt on Sunday hoping for their first home win after four defeats. Ingolstadt are sixth after making a fine start to their debut season in the top flight.