RB Leipzig vs. Arminia Bielefeld (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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RB Leipzig will be looking to cut the gap between themselves and the Champions League places in the Bundesliga when they host Arminia Bielefeld at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
The hosts will be expected to win comfortably in the final round of matches before the winter break, whilst the visitors have given themselves a small chance of survival following a couple of wins in recent weeks.
We say: RB Leipzig 2-0 Arminia Bielefeld
Whilst the visitors will arrive at the Red Bull Arena with a spring in their step following a huge win in midweek, the hosts should possess far too much quality for them on Saturday.
Bielefeld will remain compact and look to make it difficult for Leipzig to break them down, but for all the home side's struggles this campaign, they do remain strong at home and should record a comfortable victory as a result.
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Frankfurt vs. Mainz 05 (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz 05 head into their Bundesliga clash on Saturday separated only by goal difference in the table, with both sides battling it out for the European places.
The hosts have won five of their last six in the league during an excellent run of form, whilst the visitors continued their miraculous first half of the campaign by recording a big win in midweek.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Mainz 05
This clash is very difficult to call considering the similar level in quality that both sides have produced so far this season.
However, based on recent form, as well as the struggles that Mainz have had on their travels compared to their home form, we are predicting a narrow home victory for Frankfurt in what is sure to be an intriguing encounter.
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Hoffenheim vs. Borussia M'bach (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Plenty of goals should be expected at the PreZero Arena on Saturday, with Hoffenheim hosting Borussia Monchengladbach in the final round of fixtures before the winter break in Germany.
The hosts unexpectedly occupy a Champions League spot heading into the clash following a strong run of form in recent weeks, whilst the visitors find themselves in all sorts of trouble following four successive defeats.
We say: Hoffenheim 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
As mentioned above, the goalscoring form of both sides, as well as their leaky defences of late, mean a thrilling encounter full of entertainment should be expected at the PreZero Arena on Saturday.
With Hoffenheim in such fine form in recent weeks, coupled with Gladbach's significant problems, a home win looks likely in this one.
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VfL Bochum vs. Union Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Facing each other for the first time ever in the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum and Union Berlin meet at the Ruhrstadion on Saturday afternoon.
Separated by four points and four places in the standings following the midweek round, the hosts have only lost once at home this term, so will be confident of closing the gap to their visitors from the capital.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-1 Union Berlin
Bochum are a proven force on home soil, and can end an excellent year with another valuable point at their Ruhrstadion headquarters.
Die Unabsteigbaren have conceded just five goals in seven outings as hosts so far, which means Union's chances of scoring more than once are slim - surely resulting in a low-scoring draw.
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Greuther Furth vs. Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Greuther Furth are already 13 points away from 15th spot in the Bundesliga, which means that Saturday's outing against 16th-placed Augsburg will feel like a must win game for both sides in gameweek 17.
Augsburg have lifted their form slightly in recent weeks, only losing once in their last five matches, but this weekend's hosts have lost 14 of their opening 16 games.
We say: Greuther Furth 0-2 Augsburg
After some really positive results for Augsburg, like beating Bayern Munich last month, confidence has been lifted and the visitors are favourites to pick up three points this weekend.
Greuther Furth will want to build on their home win against Union Berlin, but leaking goals as they are will give Augsburg the advantage on Saturday and that may be the difference between the two sides.
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Hertha Berlin vs. Dortmund (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to cut the gap at the top of the Bundesliga table when they visit Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
The hosts remain near the foot of the table following a thumping defeat in midweek, whilst the visitors returned to winning ways to stay within six points of Bayern Munich at the summit.
We say: Hertha Berlin 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Although Dortmund are still not playing at their best, the importance of heading into the break on the back of a win should prove enough to see them put in a display worthy of coming out victorious at the Olympiastadion on Saturday.
Their goalscoring touch is back following the return of Haaland in recent matches, and with Hertha's leaky defence continuing to shake, Dortmund will see an opportunity to outscore their opponents despite their questionable defence themselves.
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Barney Corkhill
