Tuchel derby takes focus as Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund in German Clasico

Tuchel derby takes focus as Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund in German Clasico

Joba Ogunwale 18:17 - 31.03.2023

The former Chelsea manager will take charge of his first match as Bayern Munich coach against his former club.

Bundesliga action returns this weekend following the two weeks of the international break, which we do not need. 

It is matchday 26 this weekend as the 2022/2023 Bundesliga season enters its final stretch. The battle for the title is heating up already, while the relegation fight is also intense. 

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There are many games to look forward to this weekend, but Der Klassiker tops the bill. 

Pulse Sports previews some of the games this weekend. 

Union Berlin vs VFB Stuttgart 

Union Berlin were in the title race but dropped off after a poor run of form of four games without a win. 

However, they ended their poor run before the international break with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. 

The Iron Ones will now aim to build on that win when they host Stuttgart at Stadion An der Alten Försterei. 

Union Berlin will be targeting a win against Stuttgart
Union Berlin are back on track

A win for Urs Fischer’s men drags them back into the title race as there is a top-of-the-table clash this weekend too. 

They will feel confident in their chances as they face a Stuttgart side that is without a win in three matches and sit bottom of the league table. 

Stuttgart’s form is as bad as it gets, with just one win from their last seven games in the league. It does not look good for them tomorrow, with no wins in their last seven matches against Union Berlin in all competitions. 

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund 

Forget Bundesliga, Bayern Munich’s clash against Borussia Dortmund is the biggest game in Europe this weekend. 

There are a lot of things to look forward to in this game. Aside from the fact that it is the German Clasico, it is also a battle between first and second. 

Thomas Tuchel's first game as Bayern Munich's manager is against his former club Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich will hope to put a difficult international break behind the

However, more importantly, it will be Thomas Tuchel’s first game as Bayern Munich’s manager after replacing Julian Nagelsmann. 

Tuchel in his first press conference as Bayern Munich's boss
Tuchel is the new Bayern Munich boss

Nagelsmann was surprisingly sacked as Bayern’s manager during the international break, announcing Tuchel as the new boss immediately. 

Tuchel faces a difficult start as his first match is against Dortmund, who are currently top of the table. 

The Black and Yellow have been on an incredible run of form this year, with nine wins and one draw in their league games since the start of 2023. 

In contrast, Bayern’s form has been mixed this year, winning three and losing two in their last five league matches. 

The good news for Bayern Munich is that they are just one point behind Dortmund and could regain the top spot with a win on Saturday. 

History favours the Bavaria giants, though, as they have won their last seven games against Saturday’s opposition in all competitions. 

Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim 

Hoffenheim finally bought a win after months of without victory in the league. The Blues defeated Hertha Berlin just before the international break to secure their first win since October. 

It was enough to lift them off the bottom of the table, and they will hope to build on that against Werder Bremen. 

Hoffenheim will aim to build on their win against Hertha Berlin
Hoffenheim players celebrating their goals

Werder Bremen have not been great, either, but they have three wins in their last nine games, which is considerably better than Hoffenheim’s form. 

However, they need to start picking up points to avoid getting dragged into a relegation battle. But history is not on their side, as Hoffenheim is unbeaten in their last seven away trips to Bremen. 

Meanwhile, in other games going down this weekend, Eintracht Frankfurt will kick off the action when they host VFL Bochum on Friday night. 

On Saturday, RB Leipzig host Mainz, the same time Freiburg trade tackles with Hertha Berlin. VFL Wolfsburg host FC Augsburg while Schalke 04 will take on Bayer Leverkusen. 

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Then on Sunday, FC Cologne will host Borussia Monchengladbach. 

Expert Predictions for Bundesliga gameweek 26

  • Eintracht Frankfurt v Bochum - Frankfurt win or draw
  • Union Berlin v VfB Stuttgart - Union Berlin to win
  • Freiburg v Hertha Berlin - Over 2.5 goals
  • Wolfsburg v Augsburg - Over 1.5
  • Schalke 04 v Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke 04 win or draw
  • RB Leipzig v Mainz 05 - RB Leipzig and Both teams to score
  • Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund - Both teams to score and over 2.5
  • FC Cologne v Borussia M.Gladbach - Both teams to score
  • Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim - Over 2.5

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