Bundesliga, the other matches of matchday five: predictions on Bayer Leverkusen-Freiburg, Stuttgart-Schalke 04, Bochum-Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg-Cologne
There is not only the unusual summit clash between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich – the two teams currently leading the standings – on Saturday afternoon in the Bundesliga. The programme of the fifth day of the German top league features several interesting challenges. One in particular, that between Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg.
Gerardo Seoane’s Aspirins are still looking for their first home success. Bayer’s start to the season was far from exciting, with four defeats in a row, including one in the first round of the German Cup against lowly Elversberg. Last Saturday saw the first signs of a turnaround, thanks to a clear-cut victory at home against a team that usually concedes little at home, such as Mainz. The 0-3 win in Mainz represents a new beginning and relaunches the ambitions of Schick and his team-mates, now awaiting a complicated double commitment. They will be called upon to confirm themselves against ambitious Freiburg and at the same time prepare for their Champions League debut against Belgian club Brugge next week.
And there could be no more reliable test than the one against Christian Streich’s men, who, with the exception of the home defeat against Borussia Dortmund, have always won so far. Again a goal from the Italo-German Grifo was decisive in the advance against a good Bochum, the second match in a row in which Freiburg have kept their goal unbroken. All the ingredients seem to be in place for an entertaining match in which Bayer Leverkusen should be able to avoid defeat and keep moving up the table.
The other match predictions
Losilla and Hofmann of Bochum v Bayern Munich
The first points could be coming for Bochum, who came back from an excellent performance against Freiburg despite the knockout. Thomas Reis’ team currently occupies last place, having collected only defeats so far. Against the newly-promoted Werder Bremen there will be no shortage of goals, taking into account the great difficulties both teams are having in the containment phase: on the previous day the green-and-white defence was perforated four times in the challenge against Eintracht Frankfurt.
In contrast, victory is likely for Stuttgart. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team hosts a Schalke 04 that is having problems adapting to the category. Last week’s home debacle against Union (1-6) is the clearest proof of this. Finally, a Cologne side still undefeated in the league looks likely to come out of the Wolsfburg trip unscathed: Niko Kovac’s team has only managed two points in four matches.
Bundesliga: possible winners
- Bayer Leverkusen or draw (in Bayer Leverkusen-Freiburg)
- Bochum or draw (in Bochum-Werder Bremen)
- Stuttgart (in Stuttgart v Schalke 04)
- Cologne or draw (in Wolfsburg-Cologne)
Matches with at least one goal per team
Bayer Leverkusen-Freiburg
Wolfsburg-Cologne
Bundesliga: matches with a total of at least three goals
Bochum-Werder Bremen
Stuttgart-Schalke 04
