For the first time in Bundesliga history, the penultimate Bundesliga match day has six different kick-off times. Also means: Some teams have to wait until Sunday evening before any decisions are made.
Tension in the battle for the class and for Europe: Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Köln and VfB Stuttgart could already make decisions on Matchday 33.
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Bielefeld under pressure: The eighth relegation is imminent
Where some are already, others would like to go: for that VfL Bochum it’s about the premature rescue on the last matchday on Friday night (8.30 p.m.) for nothing more, for guest Arminia Bielefeld however, about everything. If Arminia does not win, staying in the class would only be possible through relegation. Should Stuttgart also win in Munich on Sunday, the East Westphalians could no longer reach this stage goal and would have been relegated from the Bundesliga for the eighth time.
Leverkusen has the premier class in their own hands
Am Saturday afternoon the relegation battle, on the other hand, plays no role, but the race for Europe rages on. Borussia Dortmund (at the already dismounted SpVgg Greuther Furth) has already secured the starting place for the premier class, Bayer 04 Leverkusen could follow: In the case of an away win in Hoffenheim the Rhinelanders would no longer be able to qualify for the Champions League. Should Freiburg lose in the parallel game against Union Berlin, even a point in Sinsheim would be enough. The Kraichgauers, on the other hand, need a win to maintain the theoretical chance of a European starting place.
A draw for Europe is enough for Cologne
In order for this to be alive on the last day of the game, Hoffenheim would need support from other stadiums on Saturday. For 1. FC Köln, for example, a draw against VfL Wolfsburg, which has already been saved, is enough to ensure that they can play internationally in the coming season. With a win, sixth place would also be dry if Union lost in Freiburg at the same time.
Several scenarios conceivable: Direct duel in Breisgau
A lot depends on the direct duel between the two European aspirants in Breisgau – of course also for the two teams involved. Union can make the second international season in a row clear with a win and – like Cologne by the way – is sure to get through even if Hoffenheim does not win against Leverkusen. Hosts Freiburg can at least finish fifth and thus wrap up the Europa League if Christian Streich’s team scores more points on Saturday than Cologne against Wolfsburg. If they win, there would also be the possibility of moving into the Champions League from the sofa on Sunday if Leipzig loses to Augsburg.
Match ball for Hertha in the evening
Am Saturday night there is a match ball for Hertha BSC: With a home win against Mainz 05, the capital city would have secured relegation. Regardless of the Bielefeld result in Bochum, a draw would at least be enough to avoid being relegated directly.
Hertha and Bielefeld are hoping for Bayern
Everything else must then take place on Sunday show: During the game between Frankfurt and Moenchengladbach (3.30 p.m.) no longer has any sporting relevance, he has to VfB Stuttgart in München (5:30 p.m.) Get points against relegation. A decision from the Swabian point of view can only be made if Bielefeld does not win in Bochum on Friday. Then VfB could certainly avoid direct relegation with a win at the champions. If Stuttgart loses, Hertha will certainly remain in the league – even if the Berliners lose to Mainz on Saturday.
Is Augsburg celebrating in the player tunnel?
Should Stuttgart not win, it would have FC Augsburg secured the league in the player tunnel. Shortly after the final whistle of the game in Munich, the Fuggerstädter conclude the game day at 7.30 p.m. at RB Leipzig. Augsburg relegation would only be possible if VfB had won before. If it actually happens, a draw with the Saxons would be enough for the FCA. They, in turn, could secure at least fifth place and thus the Europa League with a win – depending on the results on Saturday. However, if Freiburg wins against Union, RB should not lose – otherwise the Champions League would be gone.
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