Eintracht tests credentials against Bayern

Munich, Germany – Promoted Eintracht has been the surprise of the Bundesliga this season, and will test its impressive early-season form at Bayern Munich on Saturday.

With six wins and two draws from 10 matches, Eintracht visits Munich will some confidence, despite a string of just one win from its last four matches.

"What they've done so far as a promoted team," Bayern winger Arjen Robben said this week, "is super and deserves praise."

Eintracht, under veteran coach Armin Veh, is third in the standings and level on points with second-place Schalke. Both clubs are seven points off the pace of Bayern, which has won nine of its 10 matches this season.

Lacking the talent of Bayern Munich, Eintracht has continued to build on its promotion with Alex Meier leading the way with seven goals.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes expects Eintracht to come to the Allianz Arena with its sights on a strong performance.

"Frankfurt won't just come here and defend. They'll have a go at us," Heynckes said. "We know we face a tough task against Frankfurt."

Bayern crushed French side Lille, 6-1, in the Champions League on Wednesday as Claudio Pizarro fired a brace. Heynckes expects a tougher challenge this week in Germany.

"It'll be significantly tougher than midweek," he said.

Eintracht has beaten Bayer Leverkusen - the only team to top Bayern - Hamburg, Hannover and tied two-time defending champion Borussia Dortmund already.

Bayern will welcome Bundesliga leading scorer Mario Mandzukic back after he missed the midweek match, and Veh knows his side will face a challenge against the team that has the best offense and defense in the league.

"The magic they work up front really is exceptional," Veh said. "Basically, they should have got into double figures (against Lille).

"Before the campaign, I didn't think they'd be so strong, but in fact they do seem to be in a league of their own."

Also Saturday, Borussia Dortmund visits Augsburg, Schalke hosts Werder Bremen in a top-half clash, Dusseldorf hosts Hoffenheim, and Freiburg hosts Hamburg.

On Sunday, Wolfsburg hosts Leverkusen, Greuther Furth hosts Monchengladbach, and Stuttgart hosts Hannover.

On Friday, Nicolai Muller and Andreas Ivanschitz scored inside 21 minutes and Mainz defeated Nurnberg, 2-1, to climb to fifth in the standings ahead of the weekend matches.