The business end of the season is approaching and teams at both ends of the table are determined to pick up as many points as possible in order to achieve their goals, be it European qualification, mid-table security or just to be safe in the knowledge that they will be in the top-tier for the 2015/16 season. Matchday 25 kicked off tonight with the six-pointer between Hamburger SV and Hertha BSC. Five games will be taking place tomorrow afternoon (15:30 CET), one in the evening (18:30 CET), whilst there will be two games on Sunday. Surprise package Augsburg travel to Freiburg, however, the most interesting clash of the weekend takes place at the Veltins Arena on Saturday evening where Schalke 04 host Bayer Leverkusen.
Both sides have been eliminated from the Champions League recently and are hoping to return to Europe’s premier club competition next season. Schalke earned the respect of the masses thanks to their 4-3 victory away to Real Madrid; however, it wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition, whereas city rivals Athletico knocked Bayer 04 out on penalties this week after winning the second leg in the Spanish capital 1-0. Roberto Di Matteo’s side have hit a bad run of form domestically of late and find themselves in fifth, just one place and thee points behind Leverkusen. Bayer 04 have the third best away record in the division; Schalke have the fourth best home record, which means that this weekend’s game should be a cracker.
Saturday afternoon look like it will serve up a wonderful afternoon of football. Five matches kick off at 15:30 CET: Hannover 96, who are yet to win this calendar year, host out-of-sorts Borussia Dortmund. Jürgen Klopp’s side looked to have turned the corner, however, draws against Köln and HSV have halted their progress. They were also heavily beaten by Juventus at home in the Champions League this week, so it will be interesting to see how they react against Tayfun Korkut’s team. The only other side without a win in 2015, VfB Stuttgart, host Eintracht Frankfurt, who have won three of their last five games in the Bundesliga, despite conceding eight goals in that timeframe.
André Breitenreiter’s Paderborn side impressed in the early stages of their maiden Bundesliga campaign but have dropped off spectacularly. They’ve won just one of their last 15 league matches and defensive frailties are starting to show. They host Markus Gisdol’s Hoffenheim side, who have regained their mojo in recent weeks and are aiming to sneak into the European spots. They are currently two points and one place behind the Europa League qualification places. Augsburg currently have that spot and they travel to Freiburg on Saturday hoping to strengthen their grip on sixth.
Saturday’s final game is the intriguing clash between Köln and Bremen. Werder have had an excellent 2015; Viktor Skripnik’s men have pulled away from the drop zone and are looking to grab a surprise Europa League spot. Köln have been a tough nut to crack all season, so Franco Di Santo and Co. will have to be patient if they want to leave the cathedral city with three points.
Sunday’s evening match (17:30 CET) sees Borussia Mönchengladbach, who have picked up 11 points from their last five Bundesliga games, travel to runaway leaders FC Bayern München. Earlier in the day second place Wolfsburg, who are chasing a Champions League spot play an ever-improving Mainz side in the Coface Arena.