By 
The Bundesliga returns after an international break that also saw the close of the winter transfer window. With arrivals from the US, China, South Korea and the UK, squads are now set for the second half of the season and focus returns to Matchday 21. On Saturday, FC Bayern München host a resurgent RB Leipzig that have won their last three Bundesliga outings. On Sunday, second meets third as Borussia Dortmund welcome Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Signal Iduna Park, pitting two of Europe’s highest scoring teams against each other.
After a two-week hiatus for FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures in Asia, the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL qualifying zones, the Bundesliga resumes in earnest on Friday 4 February – and with a distinct Latin American flair of its own.
Argentinian terrier Santiago Ascacibar is set to return to Hertha Berlin’s midfield as they kick off Matchday 21 at home to VfL Bochum 1848. The capital club are just three points above the drop zone and are yet to win in 2022, but they will be hopeful of changing that against a travel-sick visiting side. With two wins and eight defeats on the road this term, Bochum will need the talents of their own Latin American defensive duo, Christian Gamboa and Danilo Soares, to pick up a positive result.
Watch: Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig’s main man ahead of their visit to Bayern Munich
On Saturday, Rafael Borré will lead the charge for Eintracht Frankfurt against VfB Stuttgart as he bids to continue his impressive recent form for Die Adler. With four league goals and four assists across his last seven outings, the Colombian has been hugely influential in Frankfurt’s recent sprint up the table.
Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Mönchengladbach would love to follow suit, with both sides rather too close to the relegation zone for comfort ahead of their meeting on Saturday. Bielefeld, with Panamanian defender Andres Andrade shining in his maiden Bundesliga season, are at least on a five-game unbeaten run following victory over Frankfurt last time out, but Gladbach have not won since beating FC Bayern München at the start of January.
Survival is at stake for FC Augsburg too as they lock horns with 1. FC Union Berlin. Winter signing and USA international Ricardo Pepi goes in search of his first Bundesliga goal for Augsburg, while Union adapt to life following the departure of star striker Max Kruse, with Sven Michel brought in as a replacement as they look to consolidate a place in the top four.
In-form duo 1. FC Köln and SC Freiburg are hot on their heels ahead of their head-to-head encounter, while Mainz and Hoffenheim, who also have designs on the top six places, round out the afternoon action.
That should whet the appetite for Saturday evening’s headline clash between leaders Bayern and RB Leipzig. Eighteen points separate the teams at kick-off, but Leipzig appear to have clicked into gear under new boss Domenico Tedesco, taking 13 of a possible 18 points since his arrival. Still, a trip to Bayern and the goal-hungry Robert Lewandowski will provide the sternest of challenges.
The same can be said of the mouth-watering fixture between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Sunday. BVB are sweating on the fitness of talismanic forward Erling Haaland as they endeavour to keep pace with Bayern, while Leverkusen’s own star striker Patrik Schick could be partnered by new signing Sardar Azmoun as Gerardo Seoane’s side try to close the eight-point gap on Dortmund. Chilean Charles Aranguiz remains sidelined with injury, but Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie could start after a series of strong displays recently.
The weekend is rounded out by struggling VfL Wolfsburg against bottom club SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Brazilian full-backs William and Paulo Otavio remain sidelined through injury, so there could be a chance for new signing Kevin Paredes, a USA international of Dominican descent, to stake claim for the Wolves. Kruse should start on his return to the club, but they will need to be wary of Fürth, who go into the game unbeaten in four.
In Bundesliga 2, leaders SV Darmstadt 98 are likewise enjoying a four-game undefeated sequence. Having earned 10 points from the last 12 available they are top of the standings ahead of this weekend’s duel with fellow promotion candidates Hamburger SV, who are five points below in fifth place. The hosts have the best attack in the division with 45 goals scored, while HSV boast the meanest rearguard with just 20 conceded. Something’s got to give – but who will hold their nerve?
