Bundesliga, Week 14 preview: Schalke searching for success against struggling Stuttgart

Bert Van Marwijk can get his first big win as Hamburg coach when they visit the Volkswagen Arena in Friday’s match. Die Wölfe are up to fifth in the table and look like they have the squad to challenge for fourth in the table throughout the length of the campaign. Hamburg’s struggles were evident early in the season, and Bert Van Marwijk has appeared to at least give the team some confidence since his appointment. I think we get a shocker here. Hamburg take the points.

Time & Location: 20:30 Local / 2:30 PM Eastern; Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg

Prediction: Wolfsburg 1 - 2 Hamburg

This one likely won’t be very close. Bayern should roll all over Braunschweig. Bayern are coming off their 3-1 win Moscow, and bottom-of-the-table Braunschweig are just in the way.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Allianz Arena, Munich

Prediction: Bayern Munich 4 - 0 Eintracht Braunschweig

Bayer Leverkusen have to get a result this weekend. They were embarrassed midweek against Manchester United in the Champions League, and need to pick up three points to stay within four points of Bayern.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Bay Arena, Leverkusen

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 0 Nürnberg

I was going to pick Hoffenheim to win this match, but it appears that they’re going to be without Sejad Salihovic. It’s tough for me to see them winning without his presence on the field. Bremen pill this out.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim

Prediction: Hoffenheim 1 - 2 Werder Bremen

It’s been a wild seven days for Borussia Dortmund, and it won’t get any easier when they visit Mainz. The talent is there on Mainz to cause BVB troubles. They suffered a heavy defeat last weekend to Bayern, but rebounded with the biggest win of their season thus far against Napoli in the Champions League.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Coface Arena, Mainz

Prediction: Mainz 2 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

Hertha’s play this season has been fun to watch at times, but they’ll have a real fight on their hands when Augsburg visit the Olympiastadion. It’s going to be a tough match, and Augsburg will scrap for everything that they can get.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Olympiastadion, Berlin

Prediction: Hertha Berlin 2 - 1 Augsburg

If results go against them this weekend, Schalke could find themselves seven points out of fourth place by the end of Saturday. After the disappointing result midweek in the Champions League in Romania, Jens Keller needs a positive result against Stuttgart, or his job should very well be in jeopardy. This team needs to start playing better, or they can kiss their hopes of playing in the Champions League next season goodbye.

Time & Location: 18:30 Local / 12:30 PM Eastern; Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen

Prediction: Schalke 2 - 1 Stuttgart

This is the week when Hannover get off the snide and pick up their first win in quite a while. How long? They haven’t won in their last seven matches. Frankfurt had a big match midweek against Bordeaux in the Europa League to clinch their advancement to the knock out rounds. They’ll be a little drained, and Hannover should take advantage.

Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; HDI Arena, Hannover

Prediction: Hannover 2 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt

With Freiburg having to play midweek, Gladbach should be able to take advantage of it due to their superior squad. They’re one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league this year, and Lucien Favre has them playing great football. Expect to see Gladbach in the European places as the year goes forward.

Time & Location: 17:30 Local / 11:30 AM Eastern; Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach

Prediction: Borussia Mönchengladbach 3 - 1 Freiburg