Mainz vs. Heidenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Relegation-threatened Mainz 05 seek their first victory since the start of November when they welcome Bundesliga new boys Heidenheim to Mewa Arena on Saturday.
The round 15 encounter could see the hosts record only their second home success in 2023-24, while the away side await their first road triumph since gaining promotion.
We say: Mainz 05 2-1 Heidenheim
While a draw will not be surprising, Mainz could inflict another away loss on Heidenheim, whose next defeat on the road would be their seventh.
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VfL Bochum vs. Union Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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VfL Bochum will be aiming to avoid successive defeats when they host Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, ended a winless streak of 16 matches in all competitions to move out of the relegation zone last weekend.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-1 Union Berlin
Bochum will sense they may have missed the perfect opportunity to face Union Berlin, who appear to have benefitted from making a change in management. However, the hosts have lost just one of their last nine league games at Vonovia-Ruhrstadion.
As such, we can envisage both teams settling for sharing the spoils, which may prove enough to keep both of them outside of the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere.
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Augsburg vs. Dortmund (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Two Bundesliga teams seeking to return to winning way square off at the WWK ARENA on Saturday afternoon as Augsburg play host to Borussia Dortmund.
Both clubs have built a reputation as comeback kings in the German top flight this season, with Die Fuggerstadter earning a league-high 12 points from losing positions compared with BVB's 11 points gained in the same period.
We say: Augsburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
A closely-fought contest between two teams eager to bounce back from defeats last weekend is set to take place on Saturday, but Dortmund will be regarded as the favourites to come out on top.
Augsburg have favoured playing in front of their own fans so far this season, but Dortmund have enjoyed their recent meetings with Die Fuggerstadter and should ultimately have enough firepower to outscore their opponents.
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SV Darmstadt 98 vs. Wolfsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Bundesliga basement club SV Darmstadt 98 will be looking to propel themselves out of the relegation zone when they play host to Wolfsburg at the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor on Saturday afternoon.
These two out-of-form teams have picked up the fewest points over the last five German top-flight matches, with Darmstadt collecting just two compared to Wolfsburg's three.
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 1-2 Wolfsburg
Saturday's fixture represents a good opportunity for both Darmstadt and Wolfsburg to return to winning ways and climb away from danger before the mid-season winter break begins in the middle of next week.
Wolfsburg have endured a miserable run of form away from home, but their attackers should have more joy in the final third against a leaky Darmstadt backline that has conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game so far this season.
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RB Leipzig vs. Hoffenheim (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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A top-six battle in the Bundesliga takes place at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon as RB Leipzig play host to Hoffenheim.
The two teams are separated by six points in the table after the first 14 matches, with Die Roten Bullen in fourth sitting two places ahead of Die Kraichgauer in sixth place.
We say: RB Leipzig 3-1 Hoffenheim
A refreshed Leipzig outfit will be confident of extending their winning run this weekend against a depleted Hoffenheim side, who have struggled in their recent meetings with Die Roten Bullen.
The attacking prowess of Leipzig has somewhat paper over the cracks of their defensive frailties of late, and we can envisage their frontline outscoring Hoffenheim once again en route to claiming maximum points.
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Barney Corkhill
