This weekend is the second round of Bundesliga action since the return, and we kick things off with the Berlin derby between Hertha and Union.
Last weeks Bundesliga return was certainly a welcome one as we once again had the pleasure to pay witness to wonder goals, silky passing and VAR drama. And now, the teams must face the tough test of consistency as they head into match week 27. The second week of returned action is looking likely to be better than the first as all 20 teams face another important week in pursuit of their end goals.
The match week is set to get off to a flying start, too, as Hertha Berlin host Union Berlin in the city derby on Friday. Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen have the opportunity to close the gap between themselves and opponents, Borussia Monchengladbach. The title race is also set to heat up once more as RB Leipzig travel to Mainz 05 in need of a win, and Bayern Munich host Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bundesliga Predictions As Hertha Berlin Host Union Berlin In City Derby
Hertha Berlin Host Union Berlin In City Derby
With Hertha Berlin coming off the back of a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, we can expect a tough test for Union Berlin who lost out to Bayern Munich last weekend. But, if we’re basing it off of the head to head records, it is Union Berlin who have the upper hand. Back in November of 2019, it was Union Berlin who got the better of their rivals with a dramatic winner in the 87th minute. Sebastian Polter’s penalty gave Union Berlin a win over their rivals in the first Berlin derby in the top flight. And now, months later, Die Eisernen will be hoping to complete the double over their rivals for the first time in Bundesliga history.
Hertha Berlin, however, will be keen to pick up where they left off; the Berlin-based side impressively defeated Hoffenheim by three goals to nil in their return to action last weekend. And with an opportunity of revenge after November’s defeat, the derby could be as feisty as ever this Friday.
Monchengladbach Host Leverkusen
Both Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen got off the perfect start in their return fixtures last weekend. Monchengladbach defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1, scoring twice in the opening ten minutes, and Leverkusen impressively defeated Werder Bremen 4-1. Both sides didn’t have trouble dusting off their goalscoring boots last weekend, making for a much-anticipated game between the two.
A win for Monchengladbach would see them extend their two-point gap to five points ahead of their opponents. Meanwhile, a win for Leverkusen would see them rise above the hosts and into the top three. The fact that only two points separate the two sides with just ten games to go makes this fixture as important as ever.
The game itself could, in fact, be decided by individual performances. Kai Havertz of Leverkusen will be keen to continue his fine form after a brace against Werder Bremen. But, with Marcus Thuram also looking to add to his goals tally, the result may depend on who performs the better. Either way, both sides will need to be at their best as they continue to pursue their end of season targets.
LWOF’s Bundesliga Predictions
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin
As proven last weekend, there is no better way to kick off a round of fixtures than with a derby. And with Union Berlin hoping to complete the double over their rivals, expect a fiery affair. A win for Hertha Berlin would take them within one point of 9th placed Hoffenheim; a win for Union Berlin would take them 10 points clear of the dropzone.
Hertha 2-1 Union Berlin
Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen
A key game in the race for top four and an important one for Leverkusen. A win could take them all the way from fifth to third to suddenly turn their season around. Meanwhile, Monchengladbach could go above Borussia Dortmund and into second with a win if results go their way. The fact is, the game presents eye-watering opportunities for both sides that they will be keen to take with open arms.
Monchengladbach 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen
SC Freiburg v Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen are in desperate need of a win if they want to avoid relegation. But with a tough test in the form of Freiburg, a win may be hard to come by. A loss could see Werder Bremen fall 12 points deep into the drop zone, leaving their survival hopes in tatters. It is simply a must-win for the historical Bundesliga side. Freiburg, however, will be hoping for victory themselves as they look to break into the top six.
SC Freiburg 2-0 Werder Bremen
SC Paderborn v Hoffenheim
After a humiliating return to action last weekend, Hoffenheim will be hoping to bounce back against relegation-threatened, Paderborn. The hosts, much like Hoffenheim, failed to pick up the three points last time out, drawing 0-0 with Fortuna Dusseldorf. A loss for Paderborn could see them sink 13 points behind in the fight for survival, leaving their battle to stay in the Bundesliga all but over. A win, however, could see them rise up to second-bottom to restore some kind of pride. Hoffenheim, too, could do with a win as they look to go within one point of the top six.
SC Paderborn 0-3 Hoffenheim
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
Last weeks performance acted as a statement from Borussia Dortmund as they dismantled rivals Schalke. And the title chasers will be hoping to pick up a resounding victory yet again, but this time over Wolfsburg. A win could take Dortmund within one point of Bayern Munich. But, unlike Schalke last time out, Wolfsburg will be no pushovers. The sixth-placed side showed their fight last time out with a late winner over Augsburg. And to stop the likes of Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland, they’ll need the same spirit and determination.
Wolfsburg 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt
It may have taken Bayern Munich a while to get started last weekend, but when they did, they looked somewhat close to their best. And this will worry Frankfurt who are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone; the away side could go within one point of the drop if results fail to go their way this weekend. A win for Bayern Munich, however, could extend their lead at the top to seven points depending on other results.
The game will also have an added edge to it as Bayern look to avenge an embarrassing 5-1 defeat from last November. The Bavarians have since picked up momentum, however, under new manager Hans Flick and are the favourites heading into the game.
Bayern Munich 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Schalke v Augsburg
After disappointing results last time out, both sides will be looking to bounce back this weekend. Schalke will be hoping to forget last weeks dire derby performance with a win. Meanwhile, Augsburg will be looking to steer further clear from the drop zone. A win for Schalke could see them rise to as high as 6th; a win for Augsburg could seem them rise to 13th.
Schalke 2-0 Augsburg
Mainz v Leipzig
Leipzig will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back after last weeks shock draw at home to Freiburg. But, with a Mainz side fresh from a score draw against Cologne, Leipzig may face a tough test. And after failing to score more than once with 20 shots last weekend, Leipzig will be hoping to return to their free-scoring selves this weekend. A win could see them rise to second place once again.
Mainz 0-3 RB Leipzig
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf
Both sides are undoubtedly in need of a win this weekend; Dusseldorf face the growing threat of relegation with each passing week. Meanwhile, Cologne sit six points away from the top six. And if last weeks results are anything to go by, we can expect the unexpected here. Even if a lead is established, do not expect the game to over; last weekend Cologne threw away a 2-0 lead in the space ten minutes against Mainz.
Cologne 2-0 Fortuna Dusseldorf
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