Bundesliga, everything is still to be decided in Germany’s top league. From the title to the fight for salvation: predictions
This is not the “usual” Bundesliga we have been used to in recent years. This time there was no dominance on the part of Bayern Munich, which will have to sweat out its 11th consecutive title most likely until the last day. The Bavarians last week did indeed counter-take Borussia Dortmund, taking advantage of the yellow-and-whites’ misstep in Bochum, but it is still only one point separating the two contenders.
Everything is still open as far as Champions League placings and salvation are concerned, too. On this day there is a thrilling direct clash between Freiburg and Leipzig, respectively fourth and fifth in the standings, who have just faced each other in the German Cup semifinal. In the Black Forest city we witnessed a soliloquy by the Roten Bullen, who clinched the pass to the Berlin final by taking Christian Streich’s team by storm (5-1). Grifo and his teammates now see even fourth place threatened: should Leipzig repeat it will be overtaking. Freiburg will try to redeem Tuesday’s poor performance in a match that is difficult to read but promises goals on either side. Despite being out of the Schale race Union Berlin needs to consolidate third place: for the Capitols it would be a sensational feat to participate in the Champions League next year. Augsburg, however, is not yet safe and as they have always done in home matches (only one defeat in the last seven) will sell their skins dearly in a match that looms more balanced than the standings say.
The predictions on the other games
Imprisoned in a fierce fight not to relegate is also Hoffenheim, in trouble again after two consecutive defeats to Cologne and Leipzig.
Glasner
The Sinsheim club is barely a point ahead of third-last place and cannot afford to lose to Eintracht Frankfurt, which will try to save its season by winning the German Cup: in the final Oliver Glasner’s men will face Leipzig. Eintracht in the week beat Stuttgart 3-2, breaking a long fast of victories, but in the league it now has little to say: the decidedly more motivated Hoffenheim could snatch at least a draw. Fourth-last-place Stuttgart, on the other hand, can definitively scuttle tail-end Hertha Berlin in a delicate direct clash by more than two goals overall. Finally, in the relegation zone, we also find Bochum, which as of today would make the playoff: it will not be easy to go for a win at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, which is determined to turn over a new leaf after two defeats in a row.
Bundesliga: possible winners
- Union Berlin or draw (in Augsburg-Union Berlin).
- Stuttgart or tie (in Hertha Berlin-Stuttgart)
- Hoffenheim or tie (in Hoffenheim-Eintracht Frankfurt)
The match by at least one goal per team
- Borussia Monchengladbach-Bochum
- Freiburg-Leipzig
Bundesliga: matches with at least three total goals
- Hertha Berlin-Stuttgart.
- Hoffenheim-Eintracht Frankfurt
