Dortmund vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 2.30pm)
© Imago
New Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac is set to take charge of his first game on Saturday when his side host Stuttgart at Signal Iduna Park in the Bundesliga.
Kovac's team are 11th with 29 points and defeated Heidenheim 2-1 on February 1, whereas their opponents were beaten 2-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach in the league on the same date and are fifth with 32 points after 20 matchweeks.
We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Stuttgart
The hosts could benefit from the new manager bounce on Saturday, and backed by their fervent home support, they should be considered favourites.
Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to keep Stuttgart from scoring considering they may have to field a makeshift backline, and the visitors will take confidence from their strong record away from home.
> Bundesliga preview: Dortmund vs Stuttgart
Hoffenheim vs. Union Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
© Imago
Union Berlin will have the chance to give themselves significant breathing room in their bid to stay in the Bundesliga when they travel to play Hoffenheim at PreZero Arena on Saturday.
Hoffenheim are fourth last in 15th place with 18 points and are just four points above the division's 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, while Union have three points more in 14th place and drew 0-0 with RB Leipzig on February 1.
We say: Hoffenheim 2-1 Union Berlin
It is difficult to see either team dominating given both have struggled in the past weeks, but Hoffenheim could have the edge considering Union have lost so frequently on the road.
Additionally, the hosts are in a good vein of goalscoring form despite suffering so many injuries, and they should be confident of holding onto a lead in light of the visitors' poor showings in the final third.
> Bundesliga preview: Hoffenheim vs Union Berlin
Freiburg vs. Heidenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
© Imago
Europe-chasing Freiburg are seven places above struggling Heidenheim in the Bundesliga table heading into Saturday's gameweek 21 clash at the Europa-Park Stadion.
The Breisgau Brazilians ended a three-match losing run to defeat bottom side VfL Bochum in round 20 and seek consecutive top-flight successes for the first time since October against an opponent on a three-match losing sequence.
We say: Freiburg 3-2 Heidenheim
While Freiburg have had a commendable sequence of results on home soil, the Breisgau Brazilians have let in at least two goals in each of the previous three Bundesliga contests in front of their supporters.
With Heidenheim scoring two or more in three of their past five away matches, another goal-fest could ensue on Saturday, even if the hosts are backed to record a marginal triumph.
> Bundesliga preview: Freiburg vs Heidenheim
Wolfsburg vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
© Imago
Bayer Leverkusen will hope to avoid falling further behind in the Bundesliga title race when they travel to Volkswagen Arena on Saturday to play Wolfsburg.
The Wolves are 10th with 29 points and held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-1 stalemate on February 2, whereas the visiting champions are second with 45 points but trail Bayern Munich by six points despite beating Hoffenheim 3-1 on Sunday.
We say: Wolfsburg 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
It is difficult to overlook the outstanding form of Leverkusen, and with their squad largely available, they should be confident of securing another three points.
Wolfsburg will be hard to overcome given their good home record, but the champions have thrived away from home for some time, and they will almost certainly have too much in attack for their hosts to handle.
> Bundesliga preview: Wolfsburg vs B. Leverkusen
Mainz vs. Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
%20celebrates%20scoring%20for%20Augsburg%20on%20January%2015,%202025.jpeg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Alexis Claude-Maurice (No. 20) celebrates scoring for Augsburg on January 15, 2025")
© Imago
Although sixth-placed Mainz 05 are six spots ahead of Augsburg in the Bundesliga table heading into Saturday's gameweek 21 match-ups at Mewa Arena, the away side are in superior form.
The Bavarians are fourth in the form table after notching 10 points from the previous five rounds, accruing four more than this weekend's hosts, who have fallen to three losses in the same period.
We say: Mainz 05 2-2 Augsburg
Although last season's corresponding fixture ended 1-0 to Mainz, this contest has typically been goal-laden since 2021, with both teams scoring. That pattern should continue this weekend as both teams share the spoils in round 21.
> Bundesliga preview: Mainz vs Augsburg
Borussia M'bach vs. Frankfurt (Saturday, 5.30pm)
© Imago
In a clash that could significantly impact the race for European football, Borussia Monchengladbach are set to host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga at Borussia-Park on Saturday.
The home team are seventh with 30 points and are just three points from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, while the Eagles are third with 38 points and were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Wolfsburg on February 2.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Borussia Monchengladbach should feel confident of at least avoiding defeat given the Eagles have been poor away from home recently.
However, Eintracht Frankfurt have proven they are still a threat in the final third despite the sale of Marmoush, and it would not be surprising if they earn a draw on Saturday.
> Bundesliga preview: Borussia M'bach vs Frankfurt
Ben Knapton
