Bundesliga, Hoffenheim-Mainz, Eintracht Frankfurt-Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin-Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04-Bochum are also on the line.
Not even time to catch one’s breath after an exciting three days of international competition, and it is already time to dive back into the league atmosphere. In the Bundesliga, the sixth day of action promised to be an exciting one: champions Bayern Munich, fresh from their clear victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League, will attempt to regain the top spot in their home game against Stuttgart, while Borussia Dortmund, who are currently joint first with surprise surprise side Union Berlin, will face Leipzig, who have just replaced Domenico Tedesco with former manager Marco Rose.
Contemporaneously there will be other no less interesting matches, which we will try to analyse in detail in this post. Our eyes will be particularly focused on the match in Sinsheim between hosts Hoffenheim and Mainz, two teams that have started the season on the right foot and are likely to create an entertaining and spectacular confrontation. Before losing narrowly to Borussia Dortmund last Friday, Hoffenheim had racked up three wins in a row.
Even better is Mainz – on 10 points – whose only slip-up was against Bayer Leverkusen two days ago. A balanced match, with at least three goals in total, looms. On the other hand, Eintracht Frankfurt, who suffered a nightmarish Champions League opener against Portuguese side Sporting, who overwhelmed Oliver Glasner’s men 3-0 at home, are looking for redemption. It was all to do again for the Adlers, who had shown signs of life in the league with two fine victories against Werder Bremen and Leipzig, beaten 3-4 and 4-0 respectively. Against a Wolfsburg in black crisis and still orphaned of the three points, Eintracht might be able to drown the cup disappointments.
The predictions for the other matches
Hertha’s Plattenhardt
Last week Hertha Berlin broke the ice, getting their first win. Oxygen for the Capitols, who had so far suffered three defeats and a draw. Lukebakio and Richter made Sandro Schwarz – whose bench was already wobbling – rejoice in an important clash for salvation with Augsburg. At the Olympiastadion it is Bayer Leverkusen, another team that is not doing well. The Aspirins, after the tumble in Freiburg, also surrendered to the Belgians of Club Brugge (1-0) in the Champions League. It is imperative to at least avoid defeat against Hertha in a match that promises goals on both sides.
Finally, a balanced salvation clash between Schalke 04 and Bochum: Neither of them is shining at the moment, but the Gelsenkirchen formation, unlike its next opponents, has collected three points, the result of as many draws in five matches. Thomas Reis’ men, on the other hand, have not come away from zero.
Bundesliga: possible winners
- Eintracht Frankfurt (in Eintracht Frankfurt-Wolfsburg, 15:30)
- Bayer Leverkusen or draw (in Hertha Berlin-Bayer Leverkusen, 15:30)
The matches with at least one goal per team
- Hertha Berlin-Bayer Leverkusen, 15:30
- Schalke 04-Bochum, 18:30
Bundesliga: matches with at least three goals in total
- Hoffenheim-Mainz, 3.30pm
- Eintracht Frankfurt-Wolfsburg, 15:30