Bundesliga table: Bayern Munich top at Christmas - but only just
Bayern Munich are going for their ninth Bundesliga crown in a row and are favourites for the title after entering the festive period in pole position.
The Bavarians defeated their nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen in the last league game of 2020 to leapfrog their opponents and move two points clear at the top of the table.
A Robert Lewandowski double saw off Peter Bosz's men after Patrik Schick's superb opening volley, ensuring Bayern are number one at Christmas for the first time in three years.
Julian Nagelsmann's RB Leipzig are sitting in third position, only behind Leverkusen on goal difference, with Die Roten Bullen enjoying another successful campaign so far under their young manager.
Wolfsburg complete the top four with a loss at the Allianz Arena their only domestic defeat of 2020/21.
A 2-1 deficit to this year's surprise package Union Berlin on Friday made it four defeats in Borussia Dortmund's last five Bundesliga games and saw them fall to fifth in the table, eight points behind the league leaders.
Union's win over BVB was their first in four matches and saw them move to within one point and one place of the 2012 champions.
At the bottom of the table, the two automatic relegation places are looking like they may already be decided.
Schalke, Bundesliga regulars, are marooned at the foot of the table, having picked up just four points in their opening 13 matches.
If Die Konigsblauen fail to pick up a win in their next two league outings, then they will equal the league record of 31 games without a victory.
Mainz are the side keeping them company in the drop zone with their solitary win coming against Freiburg last month.
Their six-point haul has them four behind newly promoted Arminia Bielefeld, who will occupy the relegation playoff place over the winter break, and five behind 15th placed Koln.
Hertha Berlin have been this year's biggest underachievers, with the capital club's new ambitious owners being overshadowed by their less affluent city neighbours.
Bruno Labbadia is coming under increasing pressure at the Olympiastadion, with his side currently occupying 14th position despite a sizeable investment over the last 18 months.