The international break is over, everyday life in the Bundesliga begins again. The 26th matchday is all about the German classic between Bayern and Dortmund. But the Lower Rhine Derby on Sunday also promises a lot of excitement.
Frankfurt welcomes Cologne, Tuchel his former club and Cologne the foals.
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Frankfurt under pressure – will Bochum continue to score?
The starting signal for the 26th matchday will be fired on Friday evening (8.30 p.m.) in Frankfurt – Eintracht has VfL Bochum as guests. The SGE is currently under a lot of pressure on the boiler. The Hessians were eliminated in the Champions League, and there has been no win in the league for four games. Frankfurt is still the clear favorite against Bochum, even though VfL recently won twice in a row. Will the Bochum series continue?
Will Leipzig stop the Mainz run?
RB Leipzig recently suffered a major setback in the title race, with the Saxons surprisingly losing 1-0 in Bochum. The competition has hastened, so on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) against Mainz, the goal is to reduce the gap (currently eight points to Dortmund). However, the 05ers arrive with a lot of self-confidence, Bo Svensson has not lost with his eleven in six games and won four of them. Another threesome and FSV is suddenly in the middle of the fight for Europe.
The tail light is a guest in the capital
Union Berlin seemed to have overcome the small dip (four league games without a win) before the international break, the Irons won 2-0 against Frankfurt. Now the next home game against Stuttgart, which is struggling with a permanent dent, is waiting. VfB won only one of the last eleven league games and carried the red lantern around with them during the week without games. Will the Swabians succeed in the liberation in Köpenick?
Hertha’s curse against prank
SC Freiburg particularly likes to welcome Hertha BSC. Under Christian Streich, SCF has not lost any of its eight home games against the Old Lady (five wins, three draws). In total, Hertha has been waiting for a win in Breisgau for nine games. But the capital city urgently needs this, if the competition scores points, there is a risk of falling to 18th place. Freiburg, on the other hand, could keep up with Bayern and Dortmund.
Augsburg’s ups and downs
Augsburg feels good at home this year, four of the five games have been won. But there was still nothing to get for the Fuggerstadt team in 2023. This trend threatens to continue in Wolfsburg, because VfL are unbeaten in five home games against FCA (two wins, three draws). Wolves have not been defeated at home for so long against any other current Bundesliga team. While Augsburg has rid itself of the worst worries about relegation, Wolfsburg is still looking at the international places.
The lights are still on at Schalke
And suddenly Schalke is back. S04 have been unbeaten in eight games, and with a win, the royal blues can leave the direct relegation zone for the first time since matchday 9. But in Leverkusen, too, the form curve is clearly pointing upwards, which was underpinned by the recent victory over FC Bayern.
Tuchel’s Bayern debut against the ex-club
The absolute top game takes place on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.) in Munich – FC Bayern welcomes Borussia Dortmund to the German classic. Unlike in recent years, the record champion is currently in the pursuit role. During the international break, FCB surprisingly parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann and installed Thomas Tuchel as the new coach. In his first game at Bayern-Bank, the 49-year-old is in direct demand. If there is no threesome against Tuchel’s former club, the mood on Säbener Straße should continue to be gloomy.
Who is free in the Lower Rhine Derby?
There is a crisis on the Lower Rhine. Neither 1. FC Köln nor Borussia Mönchengladbach are currently spoiled for success. Only two victories in 2023 do not meet their own standards, which is also reflected in the table. The Foals are in no man’s land in tenth place, while FC, on the other hand, have to look down in 13th place. In the Lower Rhine derby on Sunday (3.30 p.m.), forms and tendencies shouldn’t matter. As is well known, duels against the rival have their own laws.
Matarazzo’s second prank?
Werder Bremen concludes the 26th matchday on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) with a home game against TSG Hoffenheim. The Kraichgauer were able to breathe a sigh of relief recently, against Hertha under Pellegrino Matarazzo the first win after eight defeats in a row. While the SVW is absolutely on target, the situation at TSG is still very threatening. After all: Hoffenheim has been unbeaten in Bremen for seven guest appearances (two wins, five draws).
