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Two of the youngest coaches in Germany go head-to-head this weekend as Bayer Leverkusen host Bayern Munich.
Gameweek 25 takes centre stage in Bundesliga this weekend, with some exciting matches taking place.
Last weekend saw normalcy return as Bayern Munich took a two-point lead after Borussia Dortmund dropped points against Schalke 04. Meanwhile, Union Berlin dropped further in the race after they were held by Wolfsburg.
The battle at the bottom is also interesting, with just seven points separating 12th-placed Cologne and 17th-placed Schalke 04.
This weekend promises to serve up more twists and turns as we head to the final international break of the season.
TSG Hoffenheim vs Hertha Berlin
Forget the names of the two teams, this is the biggest game in Bundesliga this weekend. Bottom-placed Hoffenheim host 15th-placed Hertha Berlin in a match neither team can afford to lose.
Hoffenheim cannot afford to buy a win right now but they really need the three points on Saturday afternoon.
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The Blues have not won a league game since October last year and have lost their last seven matches in Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin have managed to pull themselves out of the relegation zone after picking up two wins and a draw in their last five games.
However, they are only two points ahead of their hosts in Saturday’s game. Both teams will likely have a go at each other in this relegation six-pointer.
Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne
Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to bounce back when they take on FC Cologne on Saturday evening.
Dortmund dropped points last weekend in the derby against Schalke 04, allowing Bayern Munich to go two points clear.
However, they can regain top form temporarily until Bayern play the following day. Dortmund will feel confident in their chances as they have only dropped one point in their league matches this year.
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Cologne are on a poor run of form with just one win in their last five games. Although they are seven points above the relegation zone, the Bily Goats could be drawn into the relegation battle if they do not start racking up points.
However, it is unlikely to be this weekend as they are winless in 14 of their last 15 games in all competitions against Dortmund.
Union Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Union Berlin were hot on Bayern’s heels about three weeks ago, but they have dropped off in recent games and are now seven points behind the Bavaria giants.
However, The Iron Ones need not worry about the title race for now but focus on Champions League qualification because they were never going to win the league, anyways.
They are only in the top four by the virtue of a better goal difference, but they could drop out if they fail to arrest their slump against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Union have just three points from their last four league games and have just one goal during this run. They also come into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat to Union SG in the Europa League.
The good news for them is that Frankfurt are not fairing well, either. The Eagles were beaten 3-0 by Napoli during the week and have just one win from their last five league games.
Both teams are still in contention to qualify for the Champions League, but Frankfurt need the three points more as they are currently five points behind Union.
However, Urs Fischer’s men will also be wary of Freiburg who are ready to pounce if they slip up on Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
This is a match between two of the youngest coaches in Germany, with Xavi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen taking on Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich.
It has been a disappointing season for Bayer Leverkusen but they have looked promising under Alonso.
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They are currently in the Europa League quarter-final and sit in the top half of the table, even though Champions League qualification is out of reach.
However, Alonso faces his biggest managerial test yet against Bayern Munich. The Bavaria giants are the team to beat in Germany, having won the league title 10 consecutive times.
By the time the game kicks off, Bayern could be one point behind Dortmund. But Naglesmann’s men will feel confident going to Bay Arena, having won there 5-1 last season.
The champions are also unbeaten in their last six games against their host.
Meanwhile, other games this weekend include Borussia Monchengladbach’s clash against Werder Bremen on Friday night.
VFL Bochum host RB Leipzig, the same time Augsburg take on Schalke 04 and Stuttgart welcome Wolfsburg. FSV Mainz round up gameweek 25 action when they host Freiburg on Sunday night.
Expert Predictions for Bundesliga gameweek 25
In-house betting expert Kolawole Babatunde gives the best predictions from each game in Bundesliga round
- Borussia M'gladbach - Werder Bremen - Both teams to score
- Hoffenheim - Hertha Berlin - Both Teams To Score
- Augsburg - Schalke 04 - Schalke 04 win or draw
- Bochum - RB Leipizig - Leipzig win
- Stuttgart - Wolfsburg - Both teams to score
- Borussia Dortmund - FC Cologne - Dortmund to win or draw and over 1.5
- Union Berlin - Eintracht Frankfurt - Over 1.5
- Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich - Bayern to win or draw and Both Teams To Score
- Mainz - Freiburg - Mainz win or draw
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