Bayern Munich moved four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga by recording a 4-1 victory over FC Koln at the Allianz Arena.
Pep Guardiola's side took control early in the game thanks to goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery, but Anthony Ujah reduced the deficit before the break to give the visitors hope.
However, Koln were unable to cause an upset as Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski secured the win for Bayern and made it 18 goals from their last three league games.
Read below to find out how Bayern took another step towards retaining their title.
Good evening everyone. The Bundesliga weekend gets underway at the Allianz Arena tonight as leaders Bayern Munich entertain FC Koln. Bayern have scored 14 unanswered goals in their last two games and another title looks almost inevitable. Can the visitors avoid becoming the latest victims of a thrashing from Pep Guardiola's men?
It could not be going better for Bayern in the Bundesliga at the moment. After starting 2015 with a 4-1 loss to Wolfsburg and a draw against Schalke, Guardiola has got his side back to their best in recent weeks. An 8-0 triumph over Hamburger SV was followed by a 6-0 win against SC Paderborn last week, and they head into this one full of confidence. It's going to be a huge test for the Koln defence.
Recent form has not been as pleasing for Peter Stoger's side. Three draws and a loss in their last four games has seen them slide further down the unforgiving bottom half of the Bundesliga table, and they start the night just three points above the bottom three. A surprise result tonight would hand them a massive boosts, and a win could take them up to ninth.
BAYERN: Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Gotze, Muller, Alaba, Badstuber, Schweinsteiger, Ribery, Lewandowski, Robben
SUBS: Reina, Alonso, Dante, Pizarro, Bernat, Rode, Weiser
It is Bayern's 115th birthday today, and they'll be keen to finish a day of celebrations with a win. Guardiola has made two changes for the special occasion as Xabi Alonso and Juan Bernat drop to the bench to be replaced by Mario Gotze and Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Spaniard has managed to respond to a 6-0 win by naming an even more attacking lineup. Incredible.
FC KOLN: Horn, Brecko, Wimmer, Maroh, Olkowski, Vogt, Lehmann, Hector, Osako, Peszko, Ujah
SUBS: Kessler, Mavraj, Matuschyk, Nagasawa, Halfar, Risse, Deyverson
Just one change for the visitors as Miso Brecko comes into the side to replace Marcel Risse. Anthony Ujah, who has found the net seven times in 21 games this season, leads the line with support from Yuya Osako and Slawomir Peszko.
If Koln are going to stand any chance of causing an upset tonight, they will need to find a way of keeping Arjen Robben relatively quiet. The Dutchman has been on fire lately. He's scored 10 goals in his last eight Bundesliga matches, and has scored 16 in 18 league games this season. There's not many people playing better football at the moment. He is certainly the key man.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, Stoger's side will point to their promising away record this season ahead of kickoff. Only Bayern have gained more points than Koln on the road in this campaign. Koln have won five of their 11 away games.
Wolfsburg return to action with a tricky trip to Werder Bremen on Sunday afternoon, so Bayern could be 11 points clear of their closest rivals by the end of the evening. Guardiola will want to keep stretching that lead as he eyes more success in the Champions League.
Both sides are out on the pitch at the Allianz Arena, and the handshakes are out of the way. It will be Koln who get the game underway.
Bayern are on the front foot immediately and they win a couple of early corners after Robben almost latches onto Schweinsteiger's lobbed ball forward.
The early signs are not good for Koln. Three corners are cleared, but the pressure keeps coming as Alaba's dangerous cross is tipped over by Horn following a deflection.
GOAL! BAYERN 1-0 KOLN (SCHWEINSTEIGER)
It could be a very long night for the visitors. Bayern take the lead with their fourth corner of the game when Schweinsteiger finds the space to power a header past the helpless Horn. It's all Bayern early on.
Koln just haven't had a kick. Ribery's sprints clear on the left before seeing his low cross stopped by Horn just as Robben was ready to add the finishing touch.
Koln finally relieve some pressure, but Ujah's poor touch brings a promising counter attack to an end. Robben then delivers a free kick which just drifts over the head of Muller at the back post.
Alaba is effectively playing as a second winger down the left for Bayern, and he links up well with Ribery to create space in the box, but Wimmer steps in at the crucial moment to stop the Austrian.
GOAL! BAYERN 2-0 KOLN (RIBERY)
There just doesn't seem to be a way of stopping the Bundesliga champions. Lewandowski should score when he beats the offside trap, but Horn makes a fine save. However, Ribery keeps the pressure on and doubles his side's lead with a fine low effort after cutting onto his right foot. Horn didn't move that time. It looks like we'll see another thrashing tonight.
Koln have picked up five of their six wins on the road this season, and it's already pretty safe to say that they won't be adding to that tally this evening. It's like an attack vs. defence training session as the likes if Robben, Ribery and Gotze keep coming forward.
Koln are forced to head clear a couple of dangerous crosses, and an extended spell of pressure finally comes to an end when Schweinsteiger sends a half volley over.
Even when they do get the ball, Koln aren't sure what to do it. Bayern are controlling the game in midfield, and some of the passing is a joy to watch. It's 2-0 after 17 minutes and we haven't even seen much of Robben!
CHANCE! Great football on the edge of the box from Schweinsteiger and Robben, who loses his footing before miscuing a shot into the path of Lewandowski, but the Polish striker's back-heel is blocked by Olkowski.
Interesting decision from the referee. Boateng slides across to get a vital foot on the ball when Ujah threatens to break free and Neuer comes off his line to collect the loose ball in the box, but the referee decides it was a back pass and Koln have an indirect free kick.
Lehmann eventually unleashes a powerful effort from the free kick in the box, but it strikes the wall and Bayern are able to clear the danger.
It's a passing exercise for Bayern, and every player is involved for the hosts. Horn collects a dangerous free kick under pressure before Rafinha's poor pass brings the move to an end. Koln are rushing it in possession, and that's not allowing them to get further up the pitch.
There's a few optimistic appeals for a handball when Wimmer is struck in the box, but the referee is right to ignore the pressure from the crowd. Koln are starting to look a bit more comfortable. It's Bayern who are still in control.
SAVE! Horn denies Lewandowski again with another fine save after the striker had been played through by Robben's inch-perfect pass.
Brilliant from Robben again as he turns into some space in the box before chipping a ball to Lewandowski, who heads over under pressure from Olkowski.
Koln are forced to clear another couple of corners as Bayern put the pressure on the visitors once again. The visitors have been wasteful on the break, though. Stoger will be desperate to see his side retain possession for longer.
The visitors are doing much better defensively now, but that poor start is surely going to cost them. Their first corner of the match is cleared at the near post by Schweinsteiger.
Lewandowski can't believe he hasn't been given a free kick on the edge of the box when Wimmer comes through the back of him to win the ball. Another Bayern corner is cleared before the hosts decide to spend some time on the ball in midfield.
Bayern almost create a third goal with some fantastic football as Gotze and Ribery volley the ball to each other in a congested box before the latter's cross is deflected behind. You can sense a third goal may be on the way before the break.
It's been a very comfortable first half for Guardiola's side. They're continuing to dominate possession and Koln will be happy to just avoid falling further behind at this stage.
GOAL! BAYERN 2-1 KOLN (UJAH)
Hang on a minute! Maybe this match isn't over yet. Koln send more men forward and they get their reward when Ujah finds space at the back post to head home his eighth of the season from Lehmann's cross.
HALF TIME: BAYERN 2-1 KOLN
Bayern have been dominant and fully deserved their lead, but Koln have kept this match alive and given themselves hope by equalising with the final action of the first half. How will the champions respond to that setback? It would still take a big effort from Koln to take something from this match.
It will be interesting to see how the visitors approach the second half. They won't want to risk too much, and Stoger will surely be happy to work on the counter, if they even have a choice. Bayern will create more chances, that's a certainty, and Guardiola will be expecting a big reaction from his players after Ujah's goal.
BENCH WATCH: Bayern have plenty of quality on the bench, and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see the hosts bring on Alonso to add even more creativity in midfield. Daniel Halfar and Deyverson are both good options for Stoger should he want to take more risks.
SUBSTITUTION: There is a change for Koln as Marcel Risse comes on to replace Osako. Bayern will get the game back underway.
It's a familiar pattern early in the second half as Bayern dominate possession. Ribery and Alaba link up well on the left, and Horn does very well to push the former's cross to safety.
Koln are looking more confident in possession, but it's Bayern who still look the more dangerous of the two sides as Lewandowski comes close to meeting Gotze's corner with a header.
Good build-up play from Bayern once again as Muller forces his way into the box, but he can only send a hopeful effort wide from a tight angle.
Koln threaten at the other end now as Brecko comes forward to find space before delivering a dangerous cross which forces Rafinha into a vital save. Ujah was in place to score his second of the night at the back post.
Superb from Brecko, and great refereeing too as the official points to the corner flag when the defender gets a touch on the ball after going to ground to challenge Ribery in the box. Excellent defending.
CHANCE! Rafinha wins the ball high up the pitch to the delight of the home fans, and he manages to pick out Muller, who heads wide from a great position in the box.
Bayern ask more questions with their 12th corner of the night. Boateng connects with a volley at the back post, but Horn manages to collect at the second attempt.
SAVE! Neuer comes to the rescue twice for the hosts. Peszko sprints clear on the left wing before delivering the perfect cross to Ujah, who is unable to beat the Bayern goalkeeper with a tame effort from close range. Risse unleashes a powerful strike from the edge of the box moments later, but Neuer makes another fine save.
CHANCE! Moments after surviving a big scare, Bayern waste a chance to kill the game off. Robben and Ribery sprint clear on the break with only Brecko to beat, but the defender gets a foot on the ball when the Dutchman attempts to square the ball for his teammate in the box.
Alaba has been a big threat going forward tonight, and he fancies his chances from the edge of the box with a powerful swerving effort which sails just over the crossbar.
Koln are starting to look very dangerous on the break as Peszko finds the space further up the pitch, but his decision to cut back inside onto his right foot is a poor one as Boateng gets back to make the block.
GOAL! BAYERN 3-1 KOLN (ROBBEN)
Koln's admirable challenge could be over now. A long spell of possession brings a third goal as Ribery is gifted the room to chip a ball to the back post, where Robben arrives to head home his 17th Bundesliga goal of the campaign. It's a smart finish from a difficult angle. Bayern needed that.
SUBSTITUTION: Guardiola decides it's time for a change as Alonso comes off the bench to replace Muller.
SUBSTITUTION: Halfar gets his chance from the bench as a replacement for Vogt. It's an attacking change from the visitors, and it could offer more space to Bayern in midfield.
YELLOW CARD! Wow. Halfar is on the pitch for about 10 seconds before he pulls down Robben to pick up the first yellow card of the night.
Robben steps up from 30 yards following the foul from Halfar, but his effort drifts just over the crossbar.
SAVE! Halfar makes an impact at the other end now as he cuts in from the right wing before forcing Neuer into a fine low save. Superb goalkeeping once again from the World Cup winner.
GOAL! BAYERN 4-1 KOLN (LEWANDOWSKI)
Bayern find a fourth when Ribery plays through Robben, who unselfishly chips the ball across the box to allow Lewandowski to convert from close range. It's not always been easy for the hosts, but they are on the way to another emphatic win.
SUBSTITUTION: Schweinsteiger will get a break in the closing stages as Sebastian Rode is sent on to replace the captain. Deyverson is also on as Ujah, who has tired in the second half, makes way for his fellow forward.
Koln look keen to avoid a more embarrassing scoreline from here as they drop deeper to limit the room on offer to the hosts, who continue to dominate possession. Bayern have now scored 18 goals in their last three Bundesliga games.
CHANCE! Great work from Robben and Rafinha to create space on the right wing. The full-back delivers the cross, but Gotze can only head over after somehow managing to climb higher than the Koln defenders.
SAVE! It's set up for a trademark Robben goal when the Dutchman cuts in from the wing to find room 25 yards from goal, but Horn reads his plan perfectly to keep out the curling effort.
Bayern are piling on the pressure in the closing stages. Stoger has abandoned his post on the touchline as he watches the final few moments from the bench. He'll be hoping his side can prevent the champions from finding more goals late on.
It's turning into an easy finish for Bayern on their 115th birthday. The visitors can't get a kick of the ball as we approach the final whistle.
FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 FC KOLN
Koln put up an impressive fight after falling behind to two early goals, but Bayern Munich have moved 11 points clear with another emphatic win. They're cruising towards another title. That's all from our live coverage tonight, but make sure you keep an eye on the site over the weekend as we cover all of the action from Europe's major leagues.
