MY ACCOUNT
Borussia Dortmund have edged ahead in the Bundesliga title race but face a tricky test at relegation-threatened Bochum this evening.
Bayern Munich will be ready to take advantage of any slip-up as Thomas Tuchel’s men host bottom side Hertha Berlin.
Germany’s race for Champions League football is similarly tense, with Bayer Leverkusen hoping to close the gap on Union Berlin when the teams meet.
Fellow challengers Freiburg travel to FC Cologne on Saturday, while fifth-placed RB Leipzig take on Hoffenheim.
Game of the week: Bochum vs Borussia Dortmund (Friday, 7.30pm)
Dortmund made the most of Bayern’s dropped points at Mainz to claim top spot — and Edin Terzic’s charges will be desperate to maintain pole position.
They should be confident of doing so against a Bochum outfit that has not won in their last four league outings (two draws, two defeats).
Die Borussen have certainly had the upper hand against tonight’s opponents this season, beating them in both the Bundesliga (3-0) and the DFB-Pokal (2-1).
In-form forward Donyell Malen may be key to securing all three points. He has scored four times in his last three outings.
Bayern Munich vs Hertha Berlin (Sunday, 2.30pm)
Bayern were hoping that Thomas Tuchel’s appointment would boost their fortunes — but Die Roten have failed to win in four attempts across all competitions.
That included a 3-1 defeat at Mainz last time out, which allowed Dortmund to leapfrog them in the table.
But Hertha Berlin should be the perfect opponents for beleaguered Bayern. The rock-bottom visitors have lost three in a row and have conceded nine times across their previous two matches.
The German champions will be relying on their outstanding home form — they are unbeaten in their last 21 Bundesliga home games (14 wins, seven draws), the longest ongoing run in the league.
Union Berlin vs Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Leverkusen are currently six points off the top four, so victory on Saturday is imperative for Die Werkself.
Though Union triumphed at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, the form book is in Leverkusen’s favour — it is now eight league games unbeaten for Xabi Alonso’s men, including six wins.
Die Eisernen have won just one of their 10 competitive matches against Leverkusen in professional football but will be hoping to double their total this weekend.
However, the visitors will be buoyed by memories of their previous encounter with Union when they ran out comprehensive 5-0 winners at the BayArena.
FC Cologne vs Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Freiburg can make it three wins on the bounce when they face a Cologne side lodged firmly in mid-table.
The Breisgau Brazilians will be fully aware that they could drop out of the top four if they do not emerge victorious with RB Leipzig just two points behind them in fifth.
But Christian Streich’s outfit have largely been solid away from home this term — only four teams can better their record of 22 points on the road.
Austrian striker Michael Gregoritsch will hope to add to his 10 Bundesliga goals for the season after registering a brace against Schalke last time out.
RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Leipzig’s Matchday 29 defeat to Leverkusen was their third loss in five league games — but a home clash with Hoffenheim should see Marco Rose’s men get back to winning ways.
After all, Die Kraichgauer sit just four points above the relegation play-off place, despite notching up three victories in a row during March and April.
The Red Bulls have also beaten Saturday’s visitors twice this campaign, recording 3-1 wins in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.
However, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s unit did hold Bayern to an away draw earlier this month, so it would be unwise to completely write off a surprise result in Leipzig.
The weekend’s other games
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Stuttgart vs Borussia Monchengladbach (Saturday, 2.30pm)
Schalke vs Werder Bremen (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Wolfsburg vs Mainz (Sunday, 4.30pm)
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