MY ACCOUNT
Bayern Munich have top spot in their sights — and they could reach the Bundesliga’s summit by securing a result against Mainz.
But that would require current leaders Union Berlin to drop points at home to Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.
Meanwhile, inconsistent Borussia Dortmund face a tricky trip to fellow European hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt, while RB Leipzig host lowly Bayer Leverkusen.
And bottom side Schalke could be in for another tough afternoon, with high-flying Freiburg their next opponents.
Game of the week: Bayern Munich vs Mainz (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Bayern Munich host in-form Mainz on Saturday — and there are sure to be goals at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern have only failed to score in one of their 32 league meetings with Die Nullfunfer, averaging an eye-watering 2.75 strikes per game across those fixtures.
Recent performances also suggest that a high scoreline could be on the cards, with both teams netting seven times without reply in their previous two Bundesliga matches.
Saturday’s clash will feature two red-hot strikers with Die Roten’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Mainz forward Marcus Ingvartsen both finding the net in each of their last four appearances.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 5.30pm)
The omens are in Dortmund’s favour ahead of their trip to Frankfurt — BVB have not beaten any Bundesliga side more often than Die Adler (47 times).
However, they come up against a team who have picked up 12 points from their last five league matches (won four, lost one) and will be relishing this weekend’s match-up.
Dortmund have lost each of their three previous away games in the competition, so will be severely tested by Frankfurt’s free-scoring attack.
Oliver Glasner’s men pose a particular threat from corners and free-kicks, having scored the most set-piece goals in Germany’s top tier this season (nine).
Union Berlin vs Borussia Monchengladbach (Sunday, 2.30pm)
Leaders Union Berlin lost to Bochum in their last league outing — but will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways on home soil.
Urs Fischer’s side are on an 11-game unbeaten league run at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei (won eight, drawn three) and have won their last five matches in the capital without conceding.
Die Eisernen will need to pay particular attention to Marcus Thuram though, with the Monchengladbach striker scoring five in his last four Bundesliga appearances.
The 25-year-old has previously netted three league goals against Union, so will be optimistic about extending that hot streak on Sunday.
RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Buoyed by a memorable Champions League victory over Real Madrid in midweek, RB Leipzig will be hopeful of beating surprise strugglers Bayer Leverkusen.
Die Roten Bullen have picked up a commendable 11 points from six Bundesliga games since appointing former Dortmund manager Marco Rose, while no team has a better record at home this season (13 points).
And with just two defeats in 12 meetings with Leverkusen, history is also in Leipzig’s favour.
But right-back Jeremie Frimpong could be a thorn in the hosts’ side — he has the best chance-conversion rate in the division, scoring five goals from 50% of his shots.
Schalke vs Freiburg (Sunday, 4.30pm)
Rock-bottom Schalke are desperate for a win after suffering defeat in each of their last six competitive games — the longest losing run in the club’s history.
However, the home side could be facing Freiburg at a good time, with the visitors failing to win their three most recent away league fixtures (drawn two, lost one).
They will still face a tough task breaking down one of the Bundesliga’s most resilient defences though.
The Breisgau Brazilians have kept more clean sheets than any other team in Germany’s top tier (six) and have conceded just 13 times — that is half of Schalke’s goals against tally (26).
The weekend’s other games
Werder Bremen vs Hertha Berlin (Friday, 7.30pm)
Stuttgart vs Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Wolfsburg vs Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)
FC Cologne vs Hoffenheim (Sunday, 6.30pm)
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