A review of the weekend’s matches in the German Bundesliga.
Mainz 05 vs. Augsburg
Only two points separate these two clubs, as Augsburg look to continue their ascent into the top half of the table. The visitors are coming off consecutive victories and have had an impressive start to 2017.
Mainz will look to continue their unbeaten streak against Augsburg, as the club have not lost to their opponents in six consecutive matches. The home side’s form has not been pleasing to supporters as of late, with a 4-0 loss to Hoffenheim last week being one of their worst of the campaign.
Darmstadt vs. Dortmund
Time is ticking away on Darmstadt’s season as they sit bottom of the table. They are six points away from 19th and will take anything they can get from this match. The last time the two clubs met, Dortmund won 6-0.
Goals will be vital for Darmstadt, as they have only managed to score 12 all season. The last time they netted a goal was on Matchday eight. Dortmund on the other hand have had little trouble scoring, with 39 goals this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was back on track last week against RB Leipzig, as he looks to build on his 17-goal season thus far.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Both of these sides have shown opposite form in the last two weeks. Leverkusen have lost two in a row, while Frankfurt have won three consecutive. The first fixture of the season between the two was an exciting match, as Javier Hernandez and Marco Fabian scored for their respective sides in a 1-1 draw.
Leverkusen have been inconsistent at times this season and have struggled to regain ground in the race for the European places. A win this weekend could be a step in the right direction for a season that has been disappointing thus far.
Frankfurt currently sit in third place. They are joined by a host of clubs well within reach of each other, making this an important match for them.
RB Leipzig vs. Hamburg SV
RB Leipzig look to get back on track after suffering a defeat to Dortmund on Matchday 19. The upstart club have lost three of their last six matches and have shown their first signs of weakness. Hamburg shocked Leverkusen with a 1-0 win last weekend and then proceeded to win mid-week in the DFB-Pokal.
The last meeting ended in a 4-0 victory for Leipzig, as they handed Hamburg their worst defeat of the season. This match will pit the Bundesliga’s newest club against its oldest.
Ingolstadt vs. Bayern Munich
Lowly Ingolstadt will host high-flying Bayern Munich on Saturday. The league leaders have defeated Ingolstadt all four times they have met, including a 4-1 win back in September.
Robert Lewandowski will be a player to watch, as the Polish striker has scored four of Bayern’s seven goals against Ingolstadt. Additionally, Lewandowski has netted eight goals in his last seven Bundesliga appearances.
Werder Bremen vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
Werder Bremen will attempt to pick up their first points of 2017 when they host Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Northwest German club were beaten 4-1 back in September by their opponents. Mönchengladbach are thriving under new manager Dieter Hecking, taking seven points from their last three matches.
Schalke vs. Hertha Berlin
After holding Bayern to a 1-1 draw last week, Schalke will try to build off their impressive result against Hertha Berlin.
The Royal Blues have had success at home against Hertha, winning the last eight meetings and recording clean sheets in seven of them. The visitors have lost their last three away fixtures as well.
This certainly could be a low-scoring affair, as both sides have only allowed 21 goals this season. The reverse fixture ended in a 2-0 victory for Hertha.
Wolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim will try to earn a positive away result when they travel to Wolfsburg to face the struggling 14th-place side. The hosts are tied for worst in the league in home losses and have lost three straight in all competitions.
Hoffenheim got back on track with a 4-0 result last week and are still in reach of a Champions League spot in fifth.
SC Freiburg vs. FC Köln
Sixth and seventh in the league table will meet on Sunday for the marquee match-up of the week. Freiburg have been a solid club at home this season, winning six of eight at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. Additionally, they are unbeaten in 11 matches against Köln at home.
Köln have taken seven points from their first three matches in the new year. Striker Anthony Modeste has scored in each of his past two Bundesliga appearances and will be a player that could turn the balance on Sunday.
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