If you’ve watched any of Bayern Munich this year, you’ve probably come away impressed. They’re currently in pretty dominant form, and I’m thoroughly impressed. They get another test this week with their travel to Hoffenheim where Holger Stanislawki’s side will be prepared to pull the upset. On Sunday we get a potential classic when Schalke heads to Hamburg.
German Bundesliga 2011, Week 8 Preview And Fixtures: Is This What Domination Looks Like?
Bayern Munich have been dominating in the early season in the Bundesliga, can they keep this form going?
Friday, September 30
1. FC Kaiserslautern vs VfB Stuttgart
This match doesn’t reach out and say “Watch me! Watch me!” but, hey, give it a shot. Watch Kaiserslautern’s magician Christian Tiffert try to keep his side up this season. It’s going to be a difficult task, but he’s good enough to manage. Pick: 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1 - 2 VfB Stuttgart
Saturday, October 1
Borussia Dortmund vs FC Augsburg
Dortmund are looking bad this year. Yikes. Crushed midweek by Marseille, they'll need the comfort of the Westfalenstadion on their supporters. Good thing it's only Augsburg coming to town also. A lot of people are making the argument around the fact that the club still hasn't found a replacement for Nuri Şahin. Yes, this hasn't helped them at all this season, but Dortmund's problem is still the same they had at times last season when they would struggle. Their offense will create dozens of chances but their front line is struggling at the moment to finish. The return of Lucas Barrios will help, and I think it's high time that Klopp put Ivan Perisic into the lineup for good. Pick: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 0 FC Augsburg
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs VfL Wolfsburg
The last two weeks have been a struggle for Leverkusen losing a both matches by a combined six goals. They did have a good victory over the Belgian club Genk this week in the Champions League, but they’ll need to turn their league form around if they expect to find themselves in the same position they were in at the end of last season. Stefan Kießling has been solid over the last several weeks, and they’ll need him to maintain his goalscoring form for them to be successful. Wolfsburg got back on the winning track last week at home against Kaiserslautern. This will be a much stiffer test, but has Magath’s side finally learned how to play both offense and defense for 90 minutes? They’ll have to prove it to me first. Pick: Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3 - 1 VfL Wolfsburg
1. FC Nürnberg vs 1. FSV Mainz 05
Mainz opened the season with a huge win at home over Bayer Leverkusen, and they followed it up the next week with another victory against Freiburg. Since then it’s been all downhill. Their last five matches have seen four losses. With the personnel they had this summer, I assumed they would be battling it out toward the bottom of the table, but right now their form is embarrassing. They’ll need a moment of brilliance from Sami Allagui in order to pick up the victory on the road in Nürnberg. Pick: 1. FC Nürnberg 1 - 1 1. FSV Mainz 05
SC Freiburg vs Borussia Mönchengladbach
Gladbach’s been involved in four straight 1-0 matches. It started with a loss, but they’ve rolled off three wins in a row by that 1-0 scoreline. I really don’t see Freiburg not scoring in this match. The amazing goalscorer Papiss Cisse will see to that. Pick: SC Freiburg 1 - 1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
1899 Hoffenheim vs FC Bayern Munich
You just need to know this: I'm not picking against Bayern until they are beaten. I'm not picking their opponents to score against them until it happens. They are dominating the league so far this year. Mario Gomez can't stop scoring in Germany and in Europe. The defense has allowed one goal in twelve matches this year! That's an unbelievable statistic. Bastian Schweinsteiger continues to play like one of the best midfielders in the world. Also, Franck Ribery is playing on another level at the moment.Pick: 1899 Hoffenheim 0 - 3 FC Bayern Munich
Hertha BSC Berlin vs 1. FC Köln
Köln has been on a roll in the last two weeks with huge wins over Bayer Leverkusen (4-1) and Hoffenheim (2-0). They found themselves in the relegation zone but now sit in 10th place on 10 points. Berlin are just behind them on 9 points. I think Köln keep the good form going in the capital. Pick: Hertha BSC Berlin 0 - 1 1. FC Köln
Sunday, October 2
Hannover 96 vs SV Werder Bremen
This match will potentially steal the show this weekend. Both clubs have been in great form this year. Norwegian internatioanl Mohamed Abdellaoue continues to impress and will be a hand full all match long for Bremen. The pickup of Christian Pander this summer has proved to be a very intelligent signing. On the Bremen side of things, the great Claudio Pizarro is back to his old tricks. The Peruvian has five goals already this year and is a threat every time he's on the field. Pick: Hannover 96 2 - 2 SV Werder Bremen
Hamburger SV vs FC Schalke 04
It took until week seven for Hamburg to pick up their first win of the season, but this week could see them heading back to the loss column. Schalke are coming in looking to pick up a big three points to move them back up the table. While only Bayern Munich have scored more goals than Schalke this season, their defense is one of the worst in the division with only four sides giving up more goals. However, maybe finally ridding themselves of the inept Michael Oenning will turn things completely around for Hamburg. There is talent in that squad. Their manager was not talented. Schalke's too strong in the attack for Hamburg in this one. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been in great form this year and his ability to find the net will likely be the difference in this one. Pick: Hamburger SV 1 - 3 FC Schalke 04
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