Borussia Dortmund can close to within three points of leaders Bayern Munich with a win at Wolfsburg on Saturday afternoon.
An improving Mainz could climb out of the relegation playoff position with the right result at home to Augsburg.
High-flying Hoffenheim (3rd) are in the midst of a five-game winning streak ahead of their trip to face Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Game week 21 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season opens in the capital on Friday evening, when Union Berlin host an Eintracht Frankfurt side managed by new head coach Albert Riera.
On Saturday, six more games follow, including Borussia Dortmund’s visit to Wolfsburg and Gladbach’s clash with in-form Leverkusen at BORUSSIA-PARK.
A day later, the round concludes with two more games, with the pick out there the meeting between leaders Bayern Munich and a red-hot Hoffenheim outfit at the Allianz Arena.
Union Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt (Friday, 7:30pm)
New Eintracht Frankfurt hire Albert Riera takes charge of Die Adler for the first time on Friday evening at Union Berlin, where the visitors are likely to play with renewed energy.
Union are reeling from back-to-back defeats and they conceded three times in each of those losses against Dortmund (0-3) and Hoffenheim (1-3). The Iron Ones have also failed to win five of their last six home assignments, so Riera could enjoy a perfect start here.
Score prediction: Union Berlin 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Freiburg vs Werder Bremen (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Freiburg almost earned what would have been a valuable point at Stuttgart last weekend before conceding an 89th-minute decider, however, they have won four of their last five games on home soil, and could rebound on Saturday.
Werder Bremen are still searching for their first win since early November and their 1-1 draw with Gladbach a week ago, which pushed their fruitless run to a massive ten games, triggered the sacking of coach Horst Steffen. They’ve also failed to score in each of their last three away tests, so Freiburg could have the edge here.
Score prediction: Freiburg 1-0 Werder Bremen
Heidenheim vs Hamburg (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Heidenheim gave a good account of themselves against Dortmund (2-3) a week ago and actually led the game before capitulating in the second half. Returning to the Voith-Arena on Saturday, they will want to build on that performance when they host Hamburg.
Hamburg have been the worst travellers in the Bundesliga this season and remain the only team in the division yet to post an away win. However, their surprise 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich last weekend, was their fourth tie in five league games and they can earn another point in this one.
Score prediction: Heidenheim 1-1 Hamburg
Mainz vs Augsburg (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Mainz have been making steady progress under their December hire, Urs Fischer, though their 2-1 comeback win at RB Leipzig last time out felt like a result of real significance. Mainz have now lost just once in nine games in all competitions and they can maintain their surge at Augsburg’s expense.
Visiting Augsburg enjoyed back-to-back wins over Bayern Munich and St. Pauli in their last two assignments, but rode their luck at times in each game and that good fortune is unlikely to hold indefinitely. Die Fuggerstädter have lost three of their last four meetings with Mainz and they could be turned over again on Saturday.
Score prediction: Mainz 2-1 Augsburg
St. Pauli vs Stuttgart (Saturday, 2:30pm)
St. Pauli’s post-winter break slump continued last weekend when they were turned over by Augsburg (2-1) before their DFB Pokal adventure was ended in convincing fashion by Bayer Leverkusen (0-3) in midweek.
In contrast, Stuttgart are building a head of steam and their cup triumph over Holstien Kiel on Wednesday evening was their fourth win in a row in all competitions. Die Roten were too good for St. Pauli (2-0) when the teams met in September’s reverse fixture and they can triumph again in Saturday’s rematch.
Score prediction: St. Pauli 0-2 Stuttgart
Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 2:30pm)
Borussia Dortmund have been given a sniff of an opportunity in the title race following some patchy Bayern Munich form. Die Schwarzgelben have won four league fixtures on the spin and another victory at Wolfsburg would close the gap between them and Bayern to three points.
With that motivation providing impetus, Dortmund have to be favourites here. They’ve also won each of their last three meetings with Wolfsburg, so expect them to be in command at the Volkswagen Arena.
Score prediction: Wolfsburg 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 5:30pm)
Gladbach were fortunate to leave Bremen with a share of the spoils (1-1) last weekend after they conceded 18 shots to the seven they manufactured themselves, though in-form Bayer Leverkusen are unlikely to be as wasteful on Saturday evening.
Die Werkself have won three games on the bounce, scoring three goals on each occasion, and they have the firepower to outscore their hosts here. Gladbach have already failed to win 80% of their ten home games in the Bundesliga since August and they haven’t beaten Leverkusen since 2019.
Score prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
FC Koln vs RB Leipzig (Sunday, 2:30pm)
Koln dragged themselves up to 10th spot with their narrow 1-0 win over Wolfsburg last weekend, though they will need to perform better to see off RB Leipzig on Sunday, in what will be their fourth home game inside five fixtures.
RB Leipzig failed to fire in their 2-1 loss at home to Mainz a week ago, though they have lost only twice in their last ten away matches in the Bundesliga. Die Roten Bullen have also scored 14 goals across their last three meetings with Koln and they could have the upper hand again.
Score prediction: FC Koln 1-2 RB Leipzig
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim (Sunday, 4:30pm)
Bayern Munich dropped points in their last two league games against Augsburg (2-1) and Hamburg (2-2), which represents something of a mini crisis for the champions. The Bavarians are short-priced favourites to rebound on Sunday, however, Hoffenheim are unlikely to roll over.
The visitors are firmly in the mix for a top-four finish this term and they excellent display against Union Berlin (3-1) last week was their fifth straight triumph in the Bundesliga. In-form Hoffenheim can make themselves a nuisance in Munich.
Score prediction: Bayern Munich 3-2 Hoffenheim
