VfL Bochum vs. St Pauli (Wednesday, 5.30pm)
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Separated by four points in the Bundesliga table, bottom-placed VfL Bochum welcome St Pauli to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion for Wednesday's 17th round, eager to secure consecutive home victories in the top flight in the pair's first top-tier meeting since 1997.
Despite ending 2024 with success over Heidenheim, Dieter Hecking's men lost 2-0 in gameweek 16 at Mainz 05 but aim to return to winning ways against an opponent with one victory in four league matches.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-1 St Pauli
With both sides level on the form table, accruing six points apiece from their previous five matches, and Bochum and St Pauli seldom producing encouraging goalscoring numbers - the away side have scored the fewest goals in the league (12) - the spoils could be shared in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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In a match that could have significant ramifications on the race for Champions League football in the Bundesliga, Stuttgart will welcome RB Leipzig to MHPArena on Wednesday.
The hosts defeated Augsburg 1-0 on Sunday and are seventh with 26 points, four points from fourth-placed Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot and beat Werder Bremen 4-2 on January 12.
We say: Stuttgart 2-1 RB Leipzig
Stuttgart should be confident of achieving a positive result at home given the visitors' poor record on the road.
Additionally, RB Leipzig have been vulnerable defensively recently and considering the hosts have improved in front of goal, it would not be surprising if Hoeness's side claimed all three points.
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Bayern vs. Hoffenheim (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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League-leaders Bayern Munich will hope to maintain their four-point advantage at the top of the Bundesliga table when they host Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
The Bavarians have 39 points and managed to defeat Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 on January 11, whereas Hoffenheim were beaten 1-0 by Wolfsburg on the same date and are fourth last in 15th place with 14 points.
We say: Bayern Munich 5-0 Hoffenheim
Bayern have been outstanding at home for some time, and it would be one of the most shocking results of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season were they to drop points at Allianz Arena against Hoffenheim.
Considering Kompany's side have been rampant in front of goal, they will be confident that they can add significantly to their impressive tally and boost their goal difference even further.
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Werder Bremen vs. Heidenheim (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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Heidenheim are in the relegation playoff spot in the Bundesliga table heading into Wednesday's gameweek 17 visit to mid-table Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion.
Bremen's three-match winning run in the top flight was halted by RB Leipzig on Sunday, and Ole Werner's team aim to claim maximum points against a relegation-threatened opponent that started 2025 with a 2-0 success over struggling Union Berlin, whose last victory was in October 2024.
We say: Werder Bremen 2-0 Heidenheim
Although Die Werderaner have lost their last three matches against Heidenheim, the turnaround in results at the Weserstadion and the away side's miserable results should see Bremen emerge victorious at the third-bottom club's expense.
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Union Berlin vs. Augsburg (Wednesday, 7.30pm)
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Union Berlin will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone when they welcome fellow strugglers Augsburg to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei in the Bundesliga on Wednesday.
The home team are 12th with 16 points and were beaten 2-0 on Saturday by 16th-placed Heidenheim, who are three points behind in the division's relegation playoff spot, while Augsburg are 13th with 16 points and lost 1-0 against Stuttgart on Sunday.
We say: Union Berlin 1-0 Augsburg
Union will be confident of at least avoiding defeat on Wednesday considering they have proven to be resilient at home this season.
While the hosts have struggled in front of goal, so too have Augsburg, but the visitors may succumb to defat at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei given they have been poor defensively this campaign.
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Oliver Thomas
