Magath steeled to test Bayern mettle

Felix Magath has the chance to do a bit more damage to his former club's already fraying nerves when VfL Wolfsburg visit Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München on Saturday.

Dip in form
Magath led Bayern to two league and cup doubles in two years before losing his job towards the end of his third year in charge. Under his replacement Ottmar Hitzfeld, Bayern have topped the league all season but a dip in form means their position is under threat as Magath returns to the Bavarian capital. After starting the season in such style Hitzfeld's side have taken just two points from their last three games and need to recover from a 3-1 defeat by the champions VfB Stuttgart last time out.

Rummenigge target
They are clinging to top spot by a single point from Werder Bremen, who are away to FC Energie Cottbus on Saturday, and Hamburger SV, who entertain FC Hansa Rostock on Sunday. There has been a tense atmosphere at the club, and Hitzfeld and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will no doubt be grateful for the end of the international break and the return to matters on the field. "Obviously, we want to stay top of the league and hopefully extend our lead. Our initial target this term is to be top going into the winter break, and we'll need a win on Saturday for that," Rummenigge said.

Magath praise
"Wolfsburg have a good team, and in Felix Magath a good coach too," he added. "We definitely won't underestimate them, especially as the away team. We had and continue to have a good relationship with Felix, so we'll greet him as a friend. Nevertheless, we do intend to defeat our friend." Bayern could have Willy Sagnol back in the squad after the French full-back came through a practice match last week, seven months after injuring his knee in a UEFA Champions League game.

Wolfsburg confident
Wolfsburg are in eleventh place after losing their last two games before the break but travel to Bavaria in determined mood. "Bayern are good but not unbeatable," said Brazilian forward Marcelinho. "We're going to try to make it difficult for them to hold on to top spot." Bremen, who closed to within a point of Bayern thanks to a 4-0 win over Karlsruher SC last time, will be without injured striker Hugo Almeida when they play bottom club Cottbus. Elsewhere, Stuttgart are aiming for a fourth successive league win at Eintracht Frankfurt, while FC Schalke 04, last season's runners-up, are away to Hannover 96.