Bundesliga Preview, Matchday 31: Battle for Europa

Matchday 31 has some interesting matches this weekend, but none better than Mainz 05 traveling to Nürnberg.

Freiburg vs Hannover 96

Hannover 96 travel to Freiburg in a rare Thursday night game trying to put pressure on Bayern München who won’t play until Saturday. This match is a must win for Hannover, because Bayern’s remaining matches are the easier of the two. Freiburg are sitting comfortably mid-table with no European aspirations this year and no threats of relegation. Dortmund was able to hold Papiss Demba Cisse silent midweek, and Hannover will look to do the same. Cisse was leading the Bundesliga in scoring until Mario Gomez’s hat trick in Matchday 30. Pick: Freiburg 1-2 Hannover 96

Schalke 04 vs Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern could use the points from this match to fully escape the danger of relegation. This match will be interesting from a Schalke perspective, because they play Manchester United on April 26 in the Champions League semifinals. Do we see Ralf Rangnick rest players or does he play them to maintain their current good form? Pick: Schalke 1-1 Kaiserslautern

Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim is another club that is sitting just too far out of the reach of a European place, and they’ve done too well to worry about relegation. Leverkusen now sit eight points off of the lead with only four matches remaining in the season. I don’t see a way back for them to challenge for the title. Pick: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hoffenheim

Stuttgart vs Hamburg

Stuttgart had a massive win on Matchday 30 that pulled the club out of immediate relegation worries. They’re now four points from safety, with four matches to play. Another win would put them on the path to security in the top flight for next season. Hamburg sit five points out of the Europa League spot. I just can’t see them making that ground up with only four matches remaining. Plus, now they’ll have to do it without Ruud van Nistelrooy. Pick: Stuttgart 2-0 Hamburg

Frankfurt vs Bayern München

While last Saturday against Kaiserslautern was only one match, Bayern does appear to have found their scoring boots once again. Saying Frankfurt is struggling would be an understatement. The club has only one win in their last thirteen matches. Without their brilliant start to being the campaign, they would definitely be in the relegation. Well, as luck would have it, Frankfurt is sitting only four points from safety. I don’t expect to see them get any points here. Pick: Frankfurt 0-3 Bayern München

St. Pauli vs Werder Bremen

I really, really, really want to sit here and tell you that St. Pauli will win this match. I will say that I am openly rooting for them to finish out the season strong. I would love for that club to get another run in the Bundesliga next season. Unfortunately, I just don’t see it happening. Pick: St. Pauli 1-1 Werder Bremen

Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund

This will be the week that two things will be almost 100% confirmed. The first is Borussia Dortmund being crowned champions of the Bundesliga. The second is Borussia Mönchengladbach being relegated back to the 2.Bundesliga. I fully expect ‘Gladbach to battle until the very last whistle in the very last game. That’s the way this club has been since they were promoted a few years ago. Dortmund will be without midfield ace Nuri Şahin who has been ruled out the remainder of the season. I don’t think they’ll need him. Pick: Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-2 Borussia Dortmund

Wolfsburg vs Köln

After several weeks of struggling on Felix Magath, this is the weekend that Wolfsburg finally put it together. They’re squad is too impressive for them to be relegated. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the composure of the Wolfsburg players if Köln gets an early goal. Magath has been working them very hard over the last few weeks, and we know he demands results. Pick: Wolfsburg 2-0 Köln

Nürnberg vs Mainz 05

This match is easily the “can’t miss match” of the weekend and Europe is on the line! Mainz have the edge in the table by two points, but Nürnberg are coming in playing well. We could have several goals for each side in this match. Take time out of your busy soccer watching weekend and watch this match. You won’t be disappointed. Pick: Nürnberg 2-1 Mainz 05