Hosts Bayer Leverkusen must beat Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday at BayArena and hope that Bayern Munich drop points if they have ambitions of retaining their title.
Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso oversaw a 1-0 victory against Heidenheim on April 5, and his team are second with 62 points – six behind Bayern – while Union are 13th with 33 points and emerged as 1-0 victors against Wolfsburg on April 6.
We say: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Union Berlin
Leverkusen’s defensive frailty makes them unlikely to keep a clean sheet, and they may have to recover from yet another deficit if they are to achieve victory.
With the Bundesliga representing the hosts’ only chance of silverware, they will give all they can to make sure that they can cling onto their faint hopes of retaining their title, and they may edge a close affair against Union.
> Bundesliga preview: B. Leverkusen vs Union Berlin
With the race for Champions League football approaching its final stages, visitors Mainz 05 will face strugglers Hoffenheim on Saturday at PreZero Arena in the Bundesliga.
The hosts are fifth last in 14th place with 27 points and only five points above the division’s 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, whereas Mainz are fourth with 46 points but were held to a 1-1 draw by last-placed Holstein Kiel last Saturday.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Mainz 05
Though Mainz are in poor form, they have not often experienced defeat in recent weeks, and their away record is strong.
Hoffenheim have also struggled for positive results, and considering their subpar record against the visitors, they may suffer yet another loss on Saturday.
> Bundesliga preview: Hoffenheim vs Mainz
In what may prove to be a decisive match in the battle for European football, Borussia Monchengladbach will welcome Freiburg to Borussia Park on Saturday in their 29th Bundesliga game of the season.
Sixth-placed Die Fohlen have 44 points and occupy the Conference League qualification spot, whereas seventh-placed Freiburg lost 4-1 against Borussia Dortmund on April 5 but only have two fewer points than their opponents.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Freiburg
Freiburg should be seen as favourites given their strong record against Borussia Monchengladbach in their recent encounters.
The visitors are unlikely to score many goals considering their poor displays in the final third, but they have been strong away from home.
> Bundesliga preview: Borussia M’bach vs Freiburg
Second-bottom VfL Bochum welcome European hopefuls Augsburg to Vonovia Ruhrstadion for Saturday’s gameweek 29 Bundesliga contest, seeking to snap a three-match losing run.
The visitors’ 11-match unbeaten run was halted by Bavarian rivals Bayern Munich last weekend, and Jess Thorup’s men aim to respond to that 3-1 defeat against struggling hosts, who could end the round bottom if they lose and Holstein Kiel beat St Pauli.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-2 Augsburg
Augsburg have scored in all but one of their seven unbeaten away matches, finding the net in their last three before this weekend, and the Bavarians will aim to extend that run in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Thorup’s men are expected to stretch their unbeaten sequence on the road to eight to end their wait for a double over Bochum and aid their prospects of ultimate continental qualification.
> Bundesliga preview: VfL Bochum vs Augsburg
Holstein Kiel could move off the bottom of the Bundesliga table in Saturday’s gameweek 29 clash against St Pauli at Holstein-Stadion.
The visitors, currently in 15th place, are four points clear of Heidenheim in the relegation playoff spot and come into this weekend looking to secure a fifth consecutive win over their hosts across all competitions.
We say: Holstein Kiel 1-1 St Pauli
Although Blessin’s St Pauli side have rarely conceded this season, their lack of attacking output means success is not guaranteed.
Consequently, both teams could share the spoils on Sunday, ending Kiel’s losing streak in this fixture.
> Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs St Pauli
Bayern Munich will host fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday at Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians are in first place with 68 points following their 3-1 victory against Augsburg on April 4, six points more than second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while eighth-placed Dortmund beat Freiburg 4-1 on April 5 and have 41 points.
We say: Bayern Munich 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern are dealing with numerous injury absentees, and they face a Dortmund side that will want to stop them from winning the title.
BVB have also found goals easier to come by, and it would not be surprising if Saturday’s game was an entertaining clash between two vulnerable sides.
> Bundesliga preview: Bayern vs Dortmund
