Borussia Dortmund vs. Hannover 96
After Werder Bremen, Bayern München, Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund were all able to book their places in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup, the focus has now returned to the Bundesliga. Can the teams that were able to rest this week make up ground against those who have had the burden of an extra fixture? One team who will be hoping the answer is a firm no is Borussia Dortmund, who take on bottom of the table Hannover 96 on Saturday. The match is incidentally the 50th meeting between the two sides, and Hannover will need to start picking up points should they wish to guarantee a further two matches against them next season. They are on a run of six straight Bundesliga defeats, and as a result find themselves seven points adrift from safety. They come up against a Borussia side that are unbeaten in thirteen at home, and have scored at least twice in all of these matches - no easy task. Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 CET.
SV Darmstadt vs. Bayer Leverkusen
A perhaps slightly more evenly matched on paper sees SV Darmstadt, fresh from a confidence-boosting victory over TSG Hoffenheim, welcome Champions League hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen to their 17,000-capacity Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor. Including this game, Darmstadt can look forward to facing European competitors in five of their next seven league matches. For that reason, picking up at least a point would be the boost they need going into this period. Leverkusen, however, won’t make it easy for them. Bayer are unbeaten in their last five games and a win, provided other results go their way, would see them climb to third position in the table. Having not won at home in six matches, the Lillies will no doubt be determined to give their home fans reason to cheer. Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 CET.
Werder Bremen vs. TSG Hoffenheim
If you’re looking for a high-pressure game, then look no further. On Saturday, Werder Bremen welcome relegation-rivals TSG Hoffenheim to the Weserstadion, hoping to further extend the gap between the sides. The game is of particular note due to the fact that TSG boss Stevens left the club on the ground of bad health this week, leaving Alfred Schreuder and Armin Reutershahn in charge. In light of this sad news, the players will no doubt want to do their ex-manager proud. At the moment, Hoffenheim are struggling on 14 points, and Werder occupy the play-off spot with 19. A win for the visitors and the northern German side will start to really look over their shoulder, but a Bremen win would be a small, yet firm nail in TSG’s proverbial coffin. The stats don’t make for good reading if you are a Hoffenheim fan; TSG have won just once away from home this season, and come up against the league’s top scorer in 2016, Claudio Pizarro. Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 CET.
VfB Stuttgart vs. Hertha BSC
A team that haven’t been struggling for form recently are VfB Stuttgart. After four straight wins since the winter break, VfB find themselves in 12th position - the highest they’ve been this season. This weekend represents their toughest test so far though, as they come up against a Hertha side unbeaten in six and with a DFB Cup semi-final secured. Despite that, they are interestingly without a win in the league in the New Year, and risk being overtaken by fellow leaders of the chasing pack, Schalke and Leverkusen. Experience is the name of the game for Stuttgart, who have named the same starting XI in each of their games in 2016 - with an average age of 27 years and two months. Can a back four with over 400 Bundesliga appearances between them keep out the attacking threat of Salomon Kalou, Ibisevic and Co.? Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 CET.
VfL Wolfsburg vs. FC Ingolstadt
Wolfsburg will be looking to make amends for what was a thoroughly disappointing matchday last time out, losing 3-0 to direct competitors Schalke. The visit of Ingolstadt represents the perfect opportunity to get back on track, as they are unbeaten in their last eight matches against newly-promoted sides. With that said, if they win chances are it won’t be emphatic - Ingolstadt have conceded just eleven goals on the road this season. There is only one point separating the sides, and a win for the visitors would make them serious contenders for European football next year. On the back of a 2-1 derby win over Augsburg, the game certainly isn’t easy to call. Kick-off: Saturday, 15:30 CET.
1. FC Köln vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
The late kick-off of the day sees Köln play Eintracht Frankfurt in what is a crucial game for the visiting team. After losing to Stuttgart last weekend, they are now just two points ahead of Werder, who occupy the relegation play-off spot. Their opponents Köln will be hoping not to suffer any birthday related hangover, as the club celebrate their 68th anniversary on the day of the match. On the topic of special events, it will also be Armin Veh’s 300th game in the Bundesliga, and his 88th as Eintracht coach. Having not won a competitive match in Köln for 22 years, Eintracht will hope that top striker Alex Maier, who has seven goals in his last three meetings with Köln, steps up and scores the goals. Kick-off: Saturday, 17:30 CET.