Bundesliga Matchday 13 Preview: The Revierderby is here
What does Matchday 13 have for viewers this weekend? Besides a derby of top five clubs, we will see if Gladbach can play like a top four side against the leagues best side (at the moment). More importantly, a number of clubs at the bottom of the table are playing sides that are not that far away from them, and while they may not be true relegation six pointers, those in the drop zone can pull other teams uncomfortably closer to them.
Let us take a look at how this weekend’s action plays out.
Tier One
BVB v. FC Schalke 04: The good news is Christian Pulisic is back in training, so he can give Dortmund a needed boost. Check out our match preview for more (hopefully) good news.
Eintracht Frankfurt v. Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Frankfurt could be getting back Timothy Chandler and Marco Russ for this match, so they could be healthy for a match that could see them move into the top four if results break their way. Leverkusen however will be missing two of its first choice defenders with Benjamin Henrichs and Wendell suspended.
Borussia Monchengladbach v. FC Bayern Munich: The nice thing about being Bayern is that injuries to major players means returning players have a chance for minutes. Out go Thiago and Arjen Robbin, in could come David Alaba, Rafinha, and Thomas Muller. The home side come into this match having lost only once in their last six. The good news for them is that Robert Lewandowski has not scored against Gladbach since he has been at Bayern.
Tier Two
FC Augsburg v. VfL Wolfsburg: Wolfsburg has an eight match unbeaten streak but only one win in that streak, however it is enough to pull them from the drop zone. The good news for Augsburg is that Martin Hinteregger is back in training but as of this writing he is unlikely to be ready for this match. The home side is looking for their first home victory since September 19 against Leipzig.
Hamburger SV v. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Tune into to this one to watch Jann-Fiete Arp continue his development, as he is expected to get another start. He is one of the few healthy and productive starters for the club right above the relegation zone. Hoffenheim has only lost once on the road, but it was to a club in danger of being relegated (Freiburg).
1 FC Koln v. Hertha Berlin: This my be one of Cologne’s best chances to pick up points the rest of this calendar year. However, they will be missing Frederik Sorenson due to yellow card suspension. For the visitors, we could see Davie Selke get a second start after performing well in Hertha’s loss to Gladbach. Cologna has beaten Hertha once already this season, a 3-1 victory on the DFB Cup.
Tier Three
Hannover 96 v. VfB Stuttgart: The home side’s challenge for a European spot has taken a little bit of a hit, especially after last week’s 4-0 defeat to Bremen. Meanwhile Stuttgart is coming off a major victory over Dortmund, but it looks like Daniel Ginczek and Chadrac Akolo could miss the match. That means six of the team’s 12 goals will be missing from this match.
RB Leipzig v. SV Werder Bremen: Leipzig’s league form carried over this week to an impressive 4-1 win at Monaco. They probably lost Marcel Sabitzer for the match though. Speaking of good results, Bremen will likely trot out the same side that defeated Hannover 4-0.
SC Freiburg v. 1 FSV Mainz 05: The home crowd will welcome a club now fallen into the relegation zone. The visitors meanwhile have lost only once in their past seven matches but have not won any of their last 11 away games.
