The Bundesliga’s race for survival is heating up. Matchday 25 will feature a massive six-point relegation fixture between Hoffenheim and Hertha Berlin.
Meanwhile, further up the table, Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt will meet in a battle of two top-four hopefuls.
Hoffenheim go into matchday 25 at the bottom of the standings. The Hoff lost their last seven Bundesliga matches. Hertha Berlin are 15th and just two points ahead of Hoffenheim. Saturday’s match is a must-win for both teams.
The teams drew 1-1 earlier this season. The draw means Hertha are unbeaten in back-to-back games versus Hoffenheim in the league. Hertha took seven points from the last 18 points available. They were outscored 13-8 across those six matches.
Hoffenheim picked up zero points from the last six games. It is unbelievable how bad Hoffenheim are this season. The Blues were outscored 13-4 across the last six matches. There could be hope for a Hoffenheim win. Hertha have won just once on the road in 11 attempts this term.
Wolfsburg won 3-2 earlier this season against Stuttgart at home. Now, the Wolves are aiming for a domestic double over the Swabians. Wolfsburg are unbeaten in two straight matches versus Stuttgart.
Stuttgart go into matchday 25 in the relegation playoff place. One point separates them from 15th-place Hertha Berlin. Stuttgart picked up just four points from the last six matches. They posted a –2-goal difference in the six matches.
Wolfsburg are unbeaten in three straight Bundesliga matches. However, the Wolves are not in great form, as two of the three fixtures were drawn. The Wolves travel well in the Bundesliga. They have the fourth-best away points total with 18 from 12 matches.
Union Berlin will host Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. Both teams play in midweek in Europe, but the Union will have one day fewer of rest. Eintracht Frankfurt are sixth but are fading in the fight for Champions League qualification.
Frankfurt were 2-0 winners against Union in the reverse fixture. Not only did the Eagles win, but they had a man sent off. Eintracht failed to win their last three league matches. Eight points were taken from Frankfurt’s last six matches.
Union are also beginning to fade in the race for Champions League qualification. The Irons are fourth in the standings, but they failed to win any of their last four matches. Union still took nine points from the last 18 points on offer. They only scored five goals in the last six games.
Mainz and Freiburg divided their last six matches into two wins, two draws, and two defeats. Freiburg were victorious 2-1 earlier this season against Mainz. The away side are desperate to reignite their bid for a top-four place. Freiburg are fifth and only outside the top four due to goal difference.
Mainz are in fine form ahead of the game. They went unbeaten in their last five matches in the league, picking up 13 points. Mainz’s last four home matches all ended as wins.
Freiburg also went unbeaten in their last five matches in the league. They picked up 11 points in those five fixtures, scoring seven times. However, Freiburg failed to win four of their last five road matches.