Bundesliga, spotlight on leading Bayer Leverkusen: Aspirins must watch out for surprise Heidenheim. Wolfsburg hurdle for Dortmund.
Adjectives are beginning to run out to describe what Bayer Leverkusen is doing this season. A week ago Xabi Alonso’s men literally swept away defending champions Bayern Munich, outclassed at the BayArena with a very clear 3-0 victory. The very heavy victory in the direct clash allowed the Aspirins to further consolidate first place and go +5 from the Bavarians: the championship is still very long but Wirtz and his teammates can now really dream big.
Bayer Leverkusen is unbeaten for 31 games in all competitions: the record of Bayern Munich’s Triplete with Hansi Flick at the helm is now just a step away. This weekend, Werkself will be on the scene at the field of terrible newly promoted Heidenheim, fresh off yet another positive result. Frank Schmidt’s team is the big surprise of Bundesliga 2023-24: having started with the goal of a quiet salvation, after 21 rounds they find themselves only one point away from seventh place, which could mean Europe. Heidenheim has not lost since the beginning of December, but it will be very complicated to stop the leader’s run: Leverkusen favored in a match in which the hosts are also likely to score.
Another big star on this Saturday afternoon is Borussia Dortmund. The yellow-and-whites are out of the title race (for now) and need to consolidate fourth place: however, they have collected four wins and a draw in 2024 and should be able to avoid defeat even at the home of inconstant Wolfsburg. Expect at least three goals overall in the Volkswagen Arena challenge.
The predictions for the other matches
The direct clash between Mainz and Augsburg should also be watched. The bad moment of the red and white, whose last victory dates back to last November, continues. The Nullfunfer are called upon to change gear as soon as possible to avoid reaching the end of the season with the water at their throats: they are currently second-to-last on 12 points.
The Bavarians, on the other hand, are out of danger (+7 over third-last) although they cannot be distracted: a balanced match looms in which both will score. Stuttgart, which overwhelmed Mainz 3-1 a week ago, is on the hunt for three more points: Sebastian Hoeness’s Swabians can repeat at home to bottom-of-the-table Darmstadt. Prediction far from closed between Hoffenheim and Union Berlin. The Sinsheim club must watch out for the Capitols, who are slowly pulling themselves out of trouble: there should be no shortage of goals.
Bundesliga: possible winners
Bayer Leverkusen (in Heidenheim-Bayer Leverkusen).
Stuttgart (in Darmstadt-Stuttgart)
Borussia Dortmund or draw (in Wolfsburg-Borussia Dortmund)
The matches of at least one goal per team
Heidenheim-Bayer Leverkusen
Mainz-Augsburg
Bundesliga: the matches with at least three total goals
Hoffenheim-Union Berlin.
Wolfsburg-Borussia Dortmund
