Latest
Modeste has scored four times in his last three appearances to help propel Cologne up to sixth in the standings. The Billy Goats have accounted for Wolfsburg, VfB Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin during that run and could climb as high as third with the right combination of results this weekend. Head coach Steffen Baumgart confirmed last week that Marwin Schwäbe will continue in goal despite the return of first choice Timo Horn, who will play during the week in the DFB Cup tie against Hamburg. Indeed, Baumgart might just stick to his winning formula, with Mark Uth partnering Modeste in attack in the expected absence again of Sebastian Andersson.
Bayern counterpart Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, is expected to make changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Without a whole host of first-team regulars, the Bayern boss was forced to name a substitutes' bench made up entirely of youth players, including 16-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner. If included once more, the youngest Bundesliga debutant in Bayern history should get to see goalkeeper Manuel Neuer back in action. Left-back Omar Richards and midfielder Corentin Tolisso are also in contention, but Alphonso Davies is among a number of players who have returned to training and could reclaim the spots. However, Lucas Hernandez and Leon Goretzka are not among those. Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala should flank Thomas Müller, and supply the ammunition for 20-goal Lewandowski, who'll next week find out if he's successfully defended his FIFA Best Men's crown.
Match stats
Nine of Modeste's 12 Bundesliga goals this season have been headers - the most of any player in Europe's top five league.
Cologne's 30 goals scored is their best return after 18 matches for 21 years. A league-high 14 of those have come as a result of a cross from open play.
The Billy Goats are hoping to make it four Bundesliga wins in a row for the first time in exactly three years.
Lewandowski has scored 15 goals in 16 meetings with Cologne.
Gnabry has scored more goals against Cologne than any other team he has faced as a pro (11 in eight appearances).
Should Bayern score, they will break their own Bundesliga record of 65 consecutive games in which they registered a goal.
Probable line-ups
Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Kilian, Hübers, Hector (c) - Özcan - Ljubicic, Duda, Kainz - Modeste, Uth
Out: Köbbing (knee), Skhiri (Africa Cup of Nations)
Doubtful: Andersson (match fitness), T. Horn (illness), Mere (illness)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Süle, Davies - Kimmich, Tolisso - Gnabry, Müller, Musiala - Lewandowski
Out: Choupo-Moting (Africa Cup of Nations), Coman (not included), Goretzka (knee), Hernandez (not included), Sarr (Africa Cup of Nations), Stanisic (thigh)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann