RB Leipzig vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Xabi Alonso will be looking for revenge when his Bayer Leverkusen side travel to Red Bull Arena on Saturday to take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Leipzig were held to a 3-3 stalemate by VfL Bochum on January 18 and are in fifth place with 31 points, while the champions are second with 41 points and defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 last Saturday in the league.
We say: RB Leipzig 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Leipzig could find some success in the final third given their nominal front two are set to return to league action, and their record at home suggests that they will be difficult to overcome.
However, Leverkusen are in fine form, and it is hard to see how the hosts can keep their opponents at bay, especially as they have been vulnerable defensively in recent weeks.
> Bundesliga preview: RB Leipzig vs B. Leverkusen
Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Managerless Borussia Dortmund begin life without Nuri Sahin on Saturday when they host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga at Signal Iduna Park.
Sahin was sacked with BVB in 10th place with 25 points, and his final league game in charge was a 2-0 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on January 17, while Werder Bremen are ninth with 26 points and were beaten 2-0 by Augsburg last Sunday.
We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Werder Bremen
Dortmund fans will expect a reaction from their players after a series of poor performances, and they may benefit from the new manager bounce.
However, Werder Bremen have been prolific in front of goal in recent matchweeks, and BVB will have their work cut out to keep them at bay on Saturday.
> Bundesliga preview: Dortmund vs Werder Bremen
Freiburg vs. Bayern (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Bayern Munich's title charge continues on Saturday when they travel to Europa-Park Stadion where they will face Freiburg in their 19th Bundesliga game of the season.
The hosts are eighth with 27 points and were beaten 4-0 by Stuttgart on January 18, whereas the league leaders defeated Wolfsburg 3-2 last Saturday and have 45 points, maintaining their four-point advantage over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
We say: Freiburg 0-3 Bayern Munich
Bayern's phenomenal record in front of goal should make them clear favourites to win on Saturday despite not scoring last time out.
Freiburg have struggled in the final third this campaign and it would not be surprising if they failed to find the back of the net on the weekend.
> Bundesliga preview: Freiburg vs Bayern
Augsburg vs. Heidenheim (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
Heidenheim could leave the Bundesliga relegation playoff spot this weekend when they travel to 12th-placed Augsburg in Saturday's gameweek 19 fixture at the WWK Arena.
However, the off-form away team must find a way past a side on a two-match winning sequence after victories over Union Berlin and Werder Bremen.
We say: Augsburg 2-0 Heidenheim
It is hard to look beyond a routine Augsburg success this weekend, with their opponents failing to claim maximum points on their travels since September, picking up one point from a possible 18.
The hosts had clinched three wins in four before coming unstuck against the defending champions Leverkusen and fourth-placed Stuttgart; they should return to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable triumph.
> Bundesliga preview: Augsburg vs Heidenheim
Mainz vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Europe-chasing Mainz 05 aim to reel in Stuttgart in the battle for the Champions League spots in Saturday's Bundesliga clash at Mewa Arena.
Although four points separate both sides ahead of the gameweek 19 contest, the Carnival Club will be aware of their wretched record in this fixture, and Bo Henriksen's men hope to halt that nine-match winless sequence this weekend.
We say: Mainz 05 1-3 Stuttgart
Without Burkardt, whose five match-winning goals are below only Harry Kane, Mainz's task against the in-form Swabians is extra difficult.
Thus, Stuttgart could notch a fourth consecutive Bundesliga triumph this weekend, extending their undefeated run against the 05ers to 10 without losing.
> Bundesliga preview: Mainz vs Stuttgart
Borussia M'bach vs. VfL Bochum (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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An out-of-form Borussia Monchengladbach will once again go in search of their first league triumph in 2025 when they host relegation-threatened VfL Bochum at the Borussia-Park in their Bundesliga gameweek 19 encounter.
The hosts sit 11th in the standings, but they are without a win in three top-flight outings, whereas bottom-placed Bochum come into the fixture off the back of a 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 VfL Bochum
Considering the home record of Monchengladbach and the dismal away record of Bochum, we are backing the Foals to claim a 2-0 victory, thus extending their winning streak against the visitors to five games.
> Bundesliga preview: Borussia M'bach vs VfL Bochum
Ben Knapton
