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Bayern Munich quest for the Bundesliga title continues on Saturday when they welcome St Pauli to Allianz Arena in their 27th league game of the season.
The Bavarians lead the way in the top flight with 62 points – six more than second-placed Bayer Leverkusen – while opponents St Pauli are fourth last in 15th place with 25 points following their 1-0 victory against Hoffenheim on March 14.
We say: Bayern Munich 1-1 St Pauli
Bayern could encounter more difficulties in defence considering the injuries to their backline, and they may concede first on Saturday.
It would be surprising if St Pauli managed to score more than once given their subpar performances in front of goal recently, but they will take confidence from their excellent performance last time out.
> Bundesliga preview: Bayern vs St Pauli
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Hoffenheim will be looking to move themselves clear of the Bundesliga relegation zone when they welcome European-chasing Augsburg to Rhein-Neckar Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams played out a goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture just over four months ago, but Die Kraichgauer did win a winter friendly 3-1 in January.
We say: Hoffenheim 0-1 Augsburg
Although Hoffenheim’s home form leaves little to be desired, they have only lost one of their previous 13 top-flight home meetings against Augsburg (W8 D4) and they have already frustrated Die Fuggerstadter on their turf this season.
However, Augsburg have found a way to grind out positive results since the turn of the year and have impressed away from home in recent months, so with that in mind, we are backing the visitors to claim another slender victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for Europe.
> Bundesliga preview: Hoffenheim vs Augsburg
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Seeking to boost their hopes of qualifying for Europe, Wolfsburg welcome relegation-threatened Heidenheim to Volkswagen Arena for a Bundesliga clash on Saturday afternoon.
Die Wolfe are looking to do the double over FCH after they claimed a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture just over four months ago.
We say: Wolfsburg 3-1 Heidenheim
Heidenheim can ill-afford to drop points this weekend considering the challenging run of fixtures they have on the horizon, but they have struggled on the road for some time and will be regarded as underdogs against a European-chasing Wolfsburg side who have collected seven points from their previous three Bundesliga meetings with FCH (W2 D1), winning this exact fixture by a 2-0 scoreline last season.
> Bundesliga preview: Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim
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In a crucial battle that will impact the race for European football in the Bundesliga, Borussia Monchengladbach will welcome RB Leipzig to Borussia Park on Saturday.
The hosts are in seventh place with 40 points and beat Werder Bremen 4-2 on March 15, while the visitors are in fifth place with 42 points and are three points from the league’s fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 RB Leipzig
It is difficult to overlook Leipzig’s poor form on the road, and they may struggle to create many chances in the final third.
However, Borussia Monchengladbach have themselves been defensively vulnerable and their record at home has been mixed, so it would not be surprising if they were held to a stalemate on Saturday.
> Bundesliga preview: Borussia M’bach vs RB Leipzig
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With the battle for survival in the Bundesliga entering its final weeks, relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel will hope to collect three points against visitors Werder Bremen on Saturday at Holstein-Stadion.
Holstein Kiel were beaten 3-1 by Heidenheim on March 16 and the result left them last in 18th place with just 17 points, while 12th-placed Werder Bremen have 33 points and lost 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach on March 15.
We say: Holstein Kiel 2-1 Werder Bremen
Holstein Kiel will believe that they can take advantage of Werder Bremen’s vulnerability at the back and boost their chances of survival.
Though the hosts have room for improvement at home, the visitors’ form is poor and they may suffer yet another defeat.
> Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs Werder Bremen
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Eintracht Frankfurt will hope they can cling onto their place in the Bundesliga‘s final Champions League qualification spot when they host Stuttgart at Deutsche Bank Park on Saturday.
The Eagles are fourth with 45 points and emerged as 3-1 victors against VfL Bochum last Sunday, while Stuttgart lost 4-3 against Bayer Leverkusen on the same day and are in 10th place with 37 points after 26 matchweeks.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Stuttgart
The Eagles are unlikely to keep a clean sheet given their defensive frailty of late, and their poor showings in the league arguably makes them second favourites.
Despite the fact Stuttgart have failed to impress in the last weeks, their displays on the road have been strong, and they could leave Deutsche Bank Park with a victory.
> Bundesliga preview: Frankfurt vs Stuttgart
