Borussia Moenchengladbach can equal a 40-year-old club record by beating Hoffenheim on Sunday to stay second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, but coach Lucien Favre just wants three points.

Favre's Gladbach are unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions this season and can match the club's record from the 1970/71 season, when they won the league title, with a home win over undefeated Hoffenheim, who are fourth in the Bundesliga.

Favre turns 57 on Sunday, but Gladbach's Swiss coach says all he wants is to see his team break down the compact Hoffenheim defence to stay hot on the heels of Pep Guardiola's league leaders Bayern.

"My birthday isn't important, the only thing that matters is the game against Hoffenheim," he said, having seen his side beat Hamburg 2-0 last year on his birthday.

Along with Bayern, Gladbach and Hoffenheim are the only teams still unbeaten in the Bundesliga after nine matches.

Favre has fashioned Gladbach into a compact side who like to counter-attack using the pace of wingers Andre Hahn and Patrick Herrmann.

Meanwhile, Germany's Christoph Kramer and Switzerland's Granit Xhaka, who misses the Hoffenheim game with an ankle injury, have formed a strong midfield partnership.

But having held Bayern to a goalless draw last Sunday, Favre expects another tough task against Hoffenheim.

"They have a very good team and they strengthened well before the season. They're solid at the back and don't concede many goals," said the Swiss.

"For me, it's no real surprise that they're currently where they are in the league. They are a team with a lot of potential."

Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino has just been called up to the Brazil squad, while attacking midfielder Kevin Volland, 22, has already won his first cap for Germany and scored the winner in their 1-0 victory over Paderborn last time out.