Leverkusen hoping in-form Diaby can take down Bayern

The 22-year-old has netted seven goals in his last five games, helping Leverkusen score 21 times in their past six league matches.

Bayern hold an eight-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund and appear set to continue their total dominance of German football with a 10th straight league title.

But third-placed Leverkusen's front line, consisting of Diaby, teenager Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick, have drawn plenty of admirers this season.

The trio have scored 45 goals between them this campaign and Diaby has been the leading light in recent weeks. He scored a double last weekend in a 3-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld, after goals against Stuttgart and Dortmund and a hat-trick against Augsburg since the winter break.

"He (Diaby) demands more of himself," said defender Jonathan Tah. "He's doing great now and he deserves to hear the fans shouting his name."