Bundesliga, in Saturday afternoon’s matches some interesting salvation clashes are scheduled: predictions
Last round before the national break also for the Bundesliga, which like the other major leagues in Europe is now entering its crucial phase. In addition to the match between second-placed Borussia Dortmund and Cologne, which will be played at 18:30, there are four other matches scheduled for Saturday afternoon, including two very interesting salvation clashes: Augsburg-Schalke 04 and Hoffenheim-Hertha Berlin.
The Gelsenkirchen club arrive in Bavaria full of energy, fresh from their valuable 2-2 draw in last Saturday’s Revierderby with Borussia Dortmund. Thomas Reis succeeded in the not so obvious task of reviving a team that until a few months ago was with one foot and a half in the Zweite Liga and is now just one point away from safety. With the draw against the Gialloneri, Schalke 04 now have seven consecutive useful results, and are able to bother even a big team that is fighting for the title. Augsburg’s situation is much calmer. Despite coming off the derby against Bayern Munich with broken bones (5-3), they still have a good seven-point margin over the red zone. At home, the Bavarians have almost European averages, and in the last four home matches they have won as many. We expect a very balanced challenge, in which it will be crucial for both sides not to lose. A positive result from Schalke 04, who are going through a really good moment, cannot be excluded.
The predictions for the other matches
An even more delicate match between Hoffenheim and Hertha Berlin, last and fourth last in the standings respectively. Pellegrino Matarazzo, who took over a few weeks ago, doesn’t know which way to turn: his Hoffenheim has been losing continuously since last January and since last Saturday is the new bottom of the Bundesliga
Hoffenheim’s Brooks
The Sinsheim club have no other choice: the direct clash with Hertha, who have barely won a game away, is perhaps the last resort. It is conceivable that they will at least manage to put an end to the haemorrhaging of defeats. Leipzig, who were beaten on Tuesday by Manchester City in the return leg of the Champions League round of 16. Winning at home to the English champions was a prohibitive feat, but to lose 7-0 is still a humiliation. Redemption can come at home to Bochum, in a match with at least three goals in total. Wolfsburg, back to dreaming of Europe, is also on the hunt for points. But getting past third-last-placed Stuttgart – who have just stopped Eintracht – will be no easy task.
Bundesliga: possible winners
- Schalke 04 or draw (in Augsburg-Schalke 04)
- Hoffenheim or draw (in Hoffenheim-Hertha Berlin)
- Leipzig (in Bochum-Leipzig)
The match with at least one goal per team
- Stuttgart-Wolfsburg
Bundesliga: matches with at least three goals in total
- Bochum-Leipzig
- Hoffenheim-Hertha Berlin
