There are some interesting match-ups this weekend in Germany with Borussia Dortmund traveling to face Bayer Levekrusen, Hannover 96 hosting Mainz 05, and Schalke hosting top of the table Borussia Mönchengladbach.
German Bundesliga Preview, Matchday 4: Bayer Leverkusen Host Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen are out to prove that they will be battling for the title come the season end when they host Borussia Dortmund.
Friday, August 26
Hertha BSC Berlin vs VfB Stuttgart
This is a match that's going to come down to which team has that player that will create that moment of magic to change the game. That player is on Stuttgart, and his name is Shinji Okazaki. Pick: Hertha BSC Berlin 0 - 1 VfB Stuttgart
Saturday, August 27
Hamburger SV vs 1. FC Köln
Hamburg has been embarrassed in two of their first three matches of their Bundesliga campaign. Those matches are at Borussia Dortmund and at Bayern Munich. Were we supposed to take anything away from those matches unless Hamburg won? This is team that is going to have to find their feet with all of the new pieces, and that is not going to be done going against the two best sides in the country. Köln should be an easier match for Hamburg, as the visitors could be playing their last match with Lukas Podolski. Emotions will likely be running high among Köln supporters as they've watched a disastrous start to the season and could be seeing "their guy" leave next week. Pick: Hamburger SV 2 - 0 1. FC Köln
1. FC Nürnberg vs FC Augsburg
The loss of Raphael Schäfer in goal for Nürnberg not only takes away a great goalkeeper but it takes away a great leader. Sascha Mölders was stopped cold last week after looking so solid for the first two matchdays. Can he regain his scoring touch? Pick: 1. FC Nürnberg 1 - 0 FC Augsburg
SC Freiburg vs VfL Wolfsburg
Freiburg scored a boat-load of goals and Wolfsburg surrendered a similar amount last week? Similar results this week? Wolfsburg finally announced the sell of Simon Kjær to AS Roma which will be a relief for Wolfsburg supporters. Kjær has been a huge flop for the club and putting a new face in defense is needed. Papiss Cisse has been scoring goals for fun to start the year for Freiburg. He terrorized Bundesliga defenses last season, and it appears that they still haven't figured out how to stop him. Pick: SC Freiburg 2 - 2 VfL Wolfsburg
1. FC Kaiserslautern vs FC Bayern Munich
Arjen Robben is probably for this match at the moment due to the lingering back issues he's been having. Is he really necessary for Bayern to beat lowly Kaiserslautern? Thomas Müller will slide out wide and Toni Kroos will occupy the middle of the field. The big question comes on whether or not Mario Gomez will be fit to go after picking up a slight knock midweek. I'd be shocked if he didn't start, but Bayern would have to turn to young Nils Peterson if Gomez can't go. What can we expect from Kaiserslautern? Not a lot against what has turned out to be a solid Bayern defense so far this season. Pick: 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0 - 3 Bayern Munich
1899 Hoffenheim vs SV Werder Bremen
I like the look of this Hoffenheim side even if they're running out Ryan Babel as their forward. Bremen has a lot of attacking potential with the likes of Aaron Hunt, Marko Marin, Clemens Fritz and Mehmet Ekici. The finished a disappointing 13th last season, but they have the team to finish in the upper half of the table this year. This match could be the sleeper of the weekend so keep an eye on it. Pick: 1899 Hoffenheim 2 - 2 SV Werder Bremen
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmund
The champions travel to Leverkusen this weekend without star midfielder Mario Götze. He'll miss this weekend's match with a minor groin injury. Götze will likely be replaced by Jakub "Kuba" Błaszczykowski, but we could see Jürgen Klopp go with the young Moritz Leitner. Since their opening day defeat to Mainz, Leverkusen has ground out 1-0 wins against Werder Bremen and Stuttgart. Last season ended Leverkusen finishing runner-up to Dortmund in the table. This is a statement game for Leverkusen to show that they belong with Dortmund and Munich as one of the country's "elite clubs" this year. Is this the match that Andrè Shürrle finally steps up for Leverkusen to be the player that everyone knows he can be or is it going to be another episode in the Shinji Kagawa show? What kind of performance will Michael Ballack put in for the Werkself this week? That is if he sees the field. Pick: Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1 - 2 Borussia Dortmund
Sunday, August 28
Hannover 96 vs 1. FSV Mainz 05
Mainz collapsed last week after being up 2-0 against Schalke before losing 2-4. Hannover have come on strong to begin the season with two wins and a draw to begin their Bundesliga campaign, and then advancing over Sevilla FC from Spain in the Europa League. Mohammed Abdellaoue has been in good form for Hannover and likewise Sami Allagui for Mainz. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could be the x-factor for Mainz as they look to get back on track. Pick: Hannover 96 2 - 2 1. FSV Mainz 05
FC Schalke 04 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach
Table leader Gladbach travel to Gelsenkirchen to take on a surging Schalke side. Since being embarrassed in their opening round match against Stuttgart, Schalke has defeated their last two opponents (Köln and Mainz) a combined 9 goals to 3. Just yesterday in the Europa League they defeated HJK Helsinki 6-1. Klaas Jan Huntelaar has been impressive this year, and we’ll see if he can keep it going this Sunday against the brilliant Marc-André ter Stegen in goal for the visitors. Marco Reus was fantastic last week for Gladbach in their impressive victor against Wolfsburg. He scored two goals and drew a penalty in a 4-1 victory. This is a very tough match to call, but I think we get an impressive performance from Schalke. Pick: FC Schalke 04 2 - 1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
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