Its the business end of the Bundesliga, we have one relegated team. Two relegation six pointers could dictate many teams fates this weekend on the Bundesliga preview.
Friday’s match pits two clubs who have found their scoring boots in FC Augsburg and FC Koln.
The Goats find themselves comfortably midtable but on a nice vein of form. Somehow they have a slight chance at being able to catch seventh place which via the DFB Pokal having Bayern and Dortmund gives another spot in the Europa League for 2016-17. The sheer fact that it is formerly fluctuating Koln is an example of the top job Peter Soger has done to stabilize this club.
FC Augsburg is flying having won their last three matches after looking like a relegation candidate. At this point breathing room is found and yet there is a feeling of dread as word is Schalke is possibly looking to court manager Markus Weinzierl who has been keeping this side from going out of the Bundesliga. His skills have been valued for being able to do great things with little on hand. Wonder what he could do with millions of euros and better players?
Prediciton: 2-2 entertaining draw for all watchers
Hannover 96 know that they will be in the second division and already vultures are circling over the club as promotion hopefuls and others will look to pick the best players off including their keeper and captain Ron-Robert Ziegler who has stated he is headed to the exit at seasons end. Shame as the Lower Saxony side had started to show some signs that they could’ve played better football but just didn’t under two hapless coaches.
Schalke 04 is the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde of the Bundesliga. They will have a first half against Leverkusen where they are playing to their potential. Then they have the second half where they concede three goals to lose in catastrophic fashion. The sooner a man with ideas comes in the better for the league because this is a squad capable of competing at the highest European levels.
Prediction: Hannover 2-1 and we have our final coach sacking after the match
Hoffenheim under Julian Nagelsmann has been very much improved and yet when they go away from home they show weaknesses which come from the lack of confidence created from the poor start. Only a couple more points will guarantee this club stays in the Bundesliga for another season.
Ingolstadt might be thinking about the Bundesliga for preparations for the 2016-17 season but manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has declined an extension. Big red warning lights coming as Red Bull Leipzig seems to have turned the head of their manager. Looks like the Audi funded club might need to dip their hands into their pockets to not be seen as prime relegation candidates next year.
Prediction: 2-0 Hoffenheim
Mainz 05 has been in a funk since beating Bayern in Munich in March. Such a while ago it seems the carnival club was thinking maybe, just maybe, the Champions League could be possible. Still in the Europa League places FC Koln suddenly thinks that they could snatch away the prize of Europe as the Reds and Schalke seem to be drunkenly stumbling to the finish line.
Hamburg made certain they wouldn’t be in the relegation playoff for a third season with a win in the Nordderby last Friday. This will possibly mean that their players will not be as focused as the end of the year arrives.
Prediction: 0-0 in a match not worth remembering
The Hessian derby returns for round two as Eintracht Frankfurt, fresh after their Rhein Main derby win, will look to give their relegation fight more hope of success. Niko Kovac’s team had possibly the ugliest of wins but the fight was very evident as each player seemed to be giving their all for the fans. Sadly after the Hinrunde derby there will be no traveling fans from Frankfurt allowed to attend the match. See how some knuckleheads can ruin a good time. No matter this is another do or die for the Eagles. Their mascot Atilla might consider giving a feather to every player for luck.
Darmstadt is looking for the final points needed to be in the Bundesliga for another season. Frankly their form at home hasn’t been pretty. Only three home wins this year and one in the ruckrunde. If they do not pick up one or three points in this derby then they will be hard pressed to not drop further down the table with two matches left.
Prediction:1-0 Frankfurt, fan coming out but AUF JETZT
Borussia Dortmund is working towards the goal of being fulling gunning for Bayern Munich as on May 21 is the DFB Pokal Final. American Christian Pulisic has been the newest darling for the media to fawn over and why not. At 17 he is showing such promise that the youngster is considered the next great talent for BVB. But the negative view with captain Mats Hummels looking to switch for the Baverian’s is all anyone can talk about.
Wolfsburg just three weeks ago was one of the most talked about sides when they got a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid. Now they look like they were on the beach a month ago. One point from their last three is bad considering the talent at their disposal. European qualification is now no longer something to consider,
Prediction: 4-0 BVB
Bayern Munich has got to be thinking they need to slay the Bundesliga with a comprehensive win this weekend. After the difficulty they had with Atletico Madrid in the first leg, where they lost 1-0, many things will be expected. Firstly wrap up a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title. Secondly get to the Champions League final in Madrid. Now they need to take care of domestic action.
Borussia Monchengladbach has been the lone team this season to honestly go toe to toe with Bayern and thoroughly come out on top. Well this time it is at the Allianz Arena and Bayern will be wanting to wrap up another Bundesliga title against a team that is possibly one of the worst when on the road. Enough said.
Prediction:2-0 and another title for Bayern
Bayer Leverkusen finally has third place in their hands. Should mean that superstar Chicharito also stays for another season. Win this weekend and they will all but seal the group phase for next season. A sigh of relief considering that they had to qualify through the playoff last year.
Hertha Berlin can only blame themselves. They have been leaking points and that has allowed Bayer Leverkusen to jump them in the table with Borussia Monchengladbach right behind them. A poor result this weekend will put their Champions League hopes in serious trouble with only a point between the capital city club and the Foals.
Prediciton: Bayer 2-1
Bremen is in a difficult position. They are still in the relegation playoff after their loss in the Nordderby. Their defense just cannot seem to keep a clean sheet to save their lives. Whispers of a change in management keep hanging around but it seems they are staying with Viktor Skrypnyk. They continue to sign astute players but they need to be in the Bundesliga next season to see a bright future.
Stuttgart is a mess. They thought they were safe and now they are back where they were just to start the ruckrunde. This is absolutely dangerous for a club this size. A root and branch clear out is needed but first they must somehow survive yet again from being relegated from the Bundesliga.
Prediction: Bremen 2-1 all goals via Claudio Pizarro
Bundesliga on Fox
Fridays FC Koln and FC Augsburg can be seen on on Fox Sports 2. Saturday Bayern Munich take on Borussia on Fox Sports 2, Dortmund face Wolfsburg on Fox Soccer Plus, the Hessian derby between Darmstadt and Frankfurt is on Fox Deportes, and Bayern Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin are on both Deportes and Fox Sports 1. Werder Breman and Stuttgart play on Monday Fox Sports 1.
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