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VfB Stuttgart kick off Matchday 24 with a trip to TSG Hoffenheim on Friday, looking to build upon last weekend’s draw with Bochum. Having just returned from Africa Cup of Nations with a runners-up medal, Omar Marmoush started the game on the bench, but was called into action midway through the first half following a shoulder injury to Silas, who is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
A win this weekend would be of huge importance to relegation-threatened Stuttgart, who are looking for a first win since December that could move them out of the automatic relegation spots. However, Hoffenheim are in the thick of the eight-team battle for Europe, and Sebastian Hoeneß’ men will hope to make it three wins on the bounce when Die Schwaben come into town.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen suffered a surprise setback when they twice conceded the lead to lose 3-2 at 1. FSV Mainz 05 last weekend. They will have an opportunity to make amends at home to DSC Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday — if they win, they’ll strengthen their grip on third place by extending their lead over fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who go to Bochum on Sunday, to a healthy seven points.
Leaders FC Bayern München will also have a chance to up the pressure on their nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund. The reigning champions currently have a six-point advantage at the top, though there is no guarantee Julian Nagelsmann’s men will add to that at Eintracht Frankfurt in Saturday’s evening kick-off: the Eagles have won their last two league encounters with Bayern. Dortmund, who take on third-from-bottom Augsburg in Sunday’s late kick-off, will be watching with keen interest.
Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hertha Berlin could be uncomfortable spectators of the match in Augsburg depending on their results on Saturday. Both sides conceded six on a less than “super” Sunday last weekend, and for Gladbach, Saturday’s visit of Wolfsburg — just a point and a place above the 13th-placed Foals — is a crucial 90 minutes.
After going down 6-1 at home to RB Leipzig, there is just a point between Hertha and the bottom three. The capital club now face a tough trip to Freiburg, who — with victory — could move into the top four.
SpVgg Greuther Fürth remain rooted to the bottom, but two wins in their last three give fans reasons for optimism. Stefan Leitl’s men now face 1. FC Köln, who also secured six points from their last nine, and remain in close contention for a European spot. Mainz and 1. FC Union Berlin head into their match in eighth and ninth respectively, and a win in the capital for either would boost their own ambitions of securing European football next season.
With six points between Leipzig in fourth and Frankfurt in 10th, there is still a lot of football to be played and points to be won, before the Bundesliga script is concluded.
