After a full round of European fixtures the meaning of life, the Bundesliga, resumes with full force. Lets look at this weekends match-ups.
We get Friday started off with a match that will provide some fireworks. Hannover 96, fresh off their 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin, hosts Borussia Monchengladbach.
Hannover is all but relegated and nothing other than the greatest of miracles could save them from the drop out of the Bundesliga. Borussia missed out on three points and gaining on the race for the Champions League places in losing last week to Ingolstadt. Perhaps this time results will go their way.
Prediciton: Foals attack is too much for all but the stingiest of teams , 3-1 Borussia
Hoffenheim have been a revelation under Julian Nagelsmann. Since his hiring only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have picked up more points. That has raised the southern club out of the relegation zone and now firmly safe from the drop on current form.
In their way is this one of this years surprise packages in Hertha Berlin. The capital city club has been in third place since late in the first half of the year. This hasn’t been acquired by not stepping up when need be.
Prediction: 1-1 draw giving more of a cushion as Hoffenheim faces the fight to escape the drop.
Both promoted sides have shown that they are both capable of surviving in the Bundesliga but unlike Ingolstadt, Darmstadt has yet to ensure safety.
If Darmstadt is to find any final points to ensure their survival they need to actually pickup points at home where they have been rather unlucky.
Prediction: 1-0 Ingolstadt, Darmstadt is rather worried about those below themselves.
Stuttgart has not exactly been playing well of late. They were on an absolute tear to start the second half but suddenly find themselves unable to get a result that suddenly has them not clear from the relegation tussle.
FC Augsburg were offered a lifeline when they got the very late winner against Werder Bremen to exit the relegation places. Their fight isn’t over yet and time is running out to ensure Bundesliga survival.
Predicion: 0-0 a rather lifeless draw that doesn’t to the job for either club
Wolfsburg faced Real Madrid in Madrid and got the full might of the Spanish side as they were dumped out of the Champions League. Qualification for the Europa League is still available but to get that there needs to be a sign of life in the Bundesliga from the Wolves.
Werder Bremen had their survival hopes severely shattered with the exceedingly late loss at home to Augsburg. Their inability to keep goals out is exactly why they are in this trouble to begin with. A end of year match against Frankfurt might be what will ensure they stay in the top flight.
Prediction: 2-0 VfL, Wolves are hungry to forget the Champions League and benefit from a weak Bremen defense
Bayer Leverkusen is coming off a nice derby win over FC Koln and a game against relegation threatened Eintracht Frankfurt seems an easy way to ensure they are winners in the race for the Champions League places. Despite being funded by one of the worlds largest pharmaceutical companies the qualification to the Champions League is so vital that they need it to hope to keep their star in Chicharito.
Frankfurt hasn’t had the bounce like last weeks opponent Hoffenheim has had with their new boss Niko Kovac. A severe lack of goals has been the thing holding this team back from being higher in the table. Their run to end the year is a treacherous one with two derby matches and an end of season battle against relegation threatened Werder Bremen mean that it will not be an easy end to the season for Eagles fans. (GULP)
Prediction: Chicharito 2 Einrtacht 0, no goals from Frankfurt bodes ill for survival hopes.
Bayern Munich is topspiel in the Saturday focus match. After facing up against a rather pesky Benfica side the Bavarian’s will be more than a little excited for some normalcy. Its not an easy task to be the only German team still in Europe but under Pep Guardiola focus has not slackened.
Schalke 04 are in chaos it seems. The talent on their roster should mean they are challenging for the top four. Take out their really good start and they would be in the relegation battle. Crashing out of the Europa League was rather bad as well. Andre Breitenreiter has got to be wondering if he will be in charge next year if he doesn’t end the season on a good run. This would be a start.
Prediction: Bayer 6 Schalke 0, this will get a coach sacked and honestly we saw a bit of fight last week but Bayern will really dominate and not relent.
Borussia Dortmund will be licking their wounds after being knocked out of the Europa League in such a dramatic fashion. After dropping two points to Schalke in the Revierderby the title race is over, qualification for Champions League is assured. At this point only the semifinal of the DFB Pokal remains. Time to give the kids some more opportunities.
Hamburg is an Dr Jeckle Mr Hyde of a club this year. One game they are playing really good stuff and win in a fashion uncomprehensible to anyone. The next they lay an absolute egg. Untrustworthy with fans hearts to be sure.
Prediction: 2-0 Hamburg, continental hangover could be here with a vengeance.
Mainz has been the other surprise package this season. Tied on points with Borussia and Schalke and just in the Europa League places this squad has the ability to produce a moment of magic when called upon. Should they still want to participate in Europe a result against Koln is needed.
FC Koln, if not so good at earning draws, would be mired in the relegation battle. Under Peter Stoger the Goats have been a more stable side, not something to be said about them in their history. Survival is done but there is no reason to just go on post season vacation when there is still places to contest for.
Prediction: 2-1 Mainz as they continue to push for Europe.
THIS WEEK’S BUNDESLIGA ON TV
Friday’s Hannover v Borussia Monchengladbach is on FS2. Saturday mornings matches has Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen on Fox Deportes and FS2, Augsburg v Stuttgart on Fox Soccer Plus, and Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen on GOLTV. Saturday afternoon Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 face off on FOX. Sunday mornings traditionsverein match with Dortmund and Hamburg is on FS1 with the later game between Mainz and Koln on Fox Soccer .
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