Bundesliga, Week 15 preview: Bayer Leverkusen can put six points between themselves and Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen will battle for second place in a huge match on Saturday.
Dennis Grombkowski
Nürnberg vs. Mainz
Mainz have won three out of their last five and visit a pretty bad Nürnberg team on Friday afternoon. It should be another win for Mainz as they move up the table toward a spot in Europe.
Time & Location: 20:30 Local / 2:30 PM Eastern; Grundig Stadion, Nürnberg
Prediction: Nürnberg 1 - 2 Mainz
Saturday, December 7
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Schalke
Gladbach can put seven points between themselves and Schalke for the fourth and final Champions League spot as we get closer to the winter break. Schalke were punished midweek by Hoffenheim in the DFB Pokal, and they’re learning that not building depth in the summer is hurting their squad. Gladbach are a better team and will take all three points.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach
Prediction: Borussia Mönchengladbach 3 - 1 Schalke
Stuttgart vs. Hannover
Neither of these teams have started strongly this season, and hopefully the match wil entertain. On his day, Vedad Ibisevic can score with anyone, so the match can still have some fireworks.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Mercedes Benz Arena, Stuttgart
Prediction: Stuttgart 2 - 1 Hannover
Werder Bremen vs. Bayern Munich
First: This game may not actually take place this weekend. There's a hurricane in the north Atlantic, and Bremen is concerned about flooding. However, if they do play, Bayern will win this game fairly easily. Arjen Robben may be out for a few weeks, but Franck Ribery should be returning this weekend. They'll be fine.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Weserstadion, Bremen
Prediction: Werder Bremen 0 - 3 Bayern Munich
Hamburg vs. Augsburg
The Bert Van Marwijk Revolution continues this week with Hamburg hosting Augsburg.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Imtech Arena, Hamburg
Prediction: Hamburg 2 - 1 Augsburg
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim beat up on Schalke this week, and will figure out how to get by Frankfurt.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Commerzbank Arena, Frankfurt
Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - 3 Hoffenheim
Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayer Leverkusen
This is a huge game in the Bundesliga standings. Bayer Leverkusen are currently three points ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the table and four points behind leaders Bayern Munich. If Leverkusen can win and put six points between themselves and BVB, it’ll be huge momentum-wise with two relatively easy matches remaining before the winter break. Both sides have do-or-die games in the Champions League this week, so the match will be interesting from a strategic perspective.
Time & Location: 18:30 Local / 12:30 PM Eastern; Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen
Sunday, December 8
Freiburg vs. Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg need three points here to keep pace with Borussia Mönchengladbach, and they should find them against Freiburg.
Time & Location: 15:30 Local / 9:30 AM Eastern; Mage Solar Stadion, Freiburg
Prediction: Freiburg 1 - 2 Wolfsburg
Eintracht Braunschweig vs. Hertha Berlin
Eintracht are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table, and they’ll stay there after this game.
Time & Location: 17:30 Local / 11:30 AM Eastern; Eintracht Stadion, Braunschweig
Prediction: Eintracht Braunschweig 2 - 3 Hertha Berlin
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